bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precursors of repeated short-term sick-leave
Authors: Hörnquist Jan Olof , Zar Margareta , Hansson Birgit
Published: February 2009

The aim of the study was to search for bivariate associations between on the one hand samples of background, job-related and well-being characteristics, and on the other hand longitudinally recorded sick-leave in individuals with repeated short-term sick-leave. Out of altogether 123 subjects included, 113 self-rated their well-being at the onset of, and 88 also after, a supportive programme. The well-being rating covered experience of treatment by other people, reservation, loneliness, inferiority, tension, vulnerability, guilt, security and indolence. Socio-demographic and job-related characteristics and attitudes were registered and declared at the initial contact. Correlations between these separate sets of independent variables, and sick-leave occasions and days in each of the two years following the contact were computed. There was an almost complete lack of covariation between background variables and sick-leave. Neither did job-related characteristics correlate. Only an expressed wish for a job change was vaguely associated with more absence days, but not with more spells. In striking contrast, a convincing consistent longitudinal pattern between self-rated well-being and sick-leave behaviour emerged. The poorer the well-being, the greater the subsequent sick-leave. Yet, a major part of the sick-leave variance remained unexplained. Accordingly, other etiological factors may still interact with well-being in the comprehensive setting behind the sick-leave behaviour. In conclusion, it is to be noticed that, the way the subject looks upon and describes himself as an independent individual and the interaction with his social environment, seems to have a certain bearing upon his future sick-leave behaviour in this context. The outcome of the study is corroborated by similar predictive correlations between well-being and working capacity previously found in alcohol abusers.
Elderly Women in the Nordic Countries; Level of Living and Situation in Life
Authors: Helset Anne
Published: February 2009

A joint Nordic research project aiming to obtain more knowledge about the situation of elderly women, has been funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the authorities in each participating country (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden).

In essence and practice, the project is testing to what extent gender is a fruitful element in gerontological research, and whether high age as a topic can contribute to a better understanding of women's situation. In other words, the project integrates two academic traditions; feminist research and gerontological research, thus creating feminist gerontology as a field of study.

Analysing the data of Nordic level of living surveys, the research group studies the variations in “Norden” in the situation regarding of elderly women the following topics: family pattern, resources of social contact and care, morbidity and infirmity, education, work, material and economic resources and fear of violence. The study also includes a description of the demographic development in “Norden”.
Summarization, smoothing, and inference in epidemiologic analysis
Authors: Greenland Sander
Published: February 2009

In a recent article (Epidemiology 1990; 1: 421–429) I resurrected some historical criticisms of conventional statistics in non-randomized, non-randomly sampled studies, and suggested some improvements to current practice in response to these criticisms. Here, I propose that some resolution can be achieved by separating data analysis into summarization, smoothing, and inferential phases. Methods of statistical inference are in fact smoothing methods, as are many methods of descriptive statistics, and as such can be viewed as pattern-recognition devices. Scientific inference is not a statistical process, but instead concerns derivation of explanations for patterns detected by statistical methods. Improvements could be made to all three phases simply by keeping the phases distinct.
Delayed discharge of elderly hospital patients — A study of bed-blockers in a health care district in Sweden
Authors: Styrborn Karin , Thorslund Mats
Published: February 2009

With an ageing population an increased pressure on health care resources will be seen in most countries. Patients with delayed discharge from short-term hospitals, sometimes called “bed-blockers”, are of special interest in Sweden, especially as liability for payments for these patients has been placed on the municipal authorities by a new reform in 1992.

A retrospective study was made of 428 bed-blockers above the age of 64 years from one health district in Uppsala during the two-year period 1987–1988. The median age was 81.6 years, and the majority were women. The patients had a median number of diagnoses of 4.1. Additional medical events/symptoms were noted in half of the patients after they had been classified as medically ready for discharge. Even though they were classified “medically ready” for discharge, they still needed care. One-third needed further rehabilitation and another 1/3 further medical attention. Only 1/10 were independent in daily activities of living. At the final discharge 1/3 actually returned home and 16% died on the acute ward. The results clearly demonstrate that these patients often still had further medical needs after the application for transfer. One crucial question, that needs discussion, is the vague definition of a “bed-blocker”. Related questions are when and where should these patients be transferred, as well as the relevance of the term “bed-blocker” from ethical perspectives.
Sex Differences of Infant and Child Mortality in China
Authors: Xu Baizhuang , Rimpelä Arja , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Nieminen Mauri
Published: February 2009

The purpose of this paper was to study the sex differences in infant mortality and mortality before the age of 5 in China, and the differences between urban and rural areas on the one hand and urban areas of mainland China and Hong Kong on the other. Published data from the 1982 and 1990 national censuses, the mortality survey of 1976, and UN's publications were used to calculate sex differences and sex ratios of mortality. Infant mortality of both sexes decreased notably from the 1970's onwards, the sex ratios of mortality being 1.15 in 1973–75, 1.06 in 1981 and 0.86 in 1990. A remarkable decline of mortality before the age of 5 was also seen in both sexes, but the sex ratios of mortality were not greatly altered, remaining less than 1 from the 1970's on. In rural areas female infants and young children had a higher mortality compared with males than in urban areas. In Hong Kong, the sex differences of infant and early child mortality were much smaller than in urban areas of mainland China.
The Johanneberg study — a sociomedical survey in an urban elderly population
Authors: Augustsson Olga , Eriksson Bo G. , Rosenhall Ulf , Rothenberg Elisabet , Wärne Bertil , Steen Bertil
Published: February 2009

This study is the Swedish part of a world-wide transcultural and interdisciplinary study in elderly populations which addresses food habits, health and life-style. The aim of this paper is to present the general design including an analysis of non-response, and to identify risk-groups for intervention programmes. The study comprised 217 noninstitutionalized males ( n = 73) and females ( n = 144), aged 70 and over (mean age 78 years) in a small urban area. Home visits and clinical examinations with standard methods were used.

The participation rate was 76%. Significant differences between non-respondents and respondents could be seen, which may be important when planning health promotion. On the basis of experiences during the examinations, a risk-group was identified for prospective and intervention study purposes, based on a multiple variable model and a clinical model.
Major Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Indicators by Educational Status
Authors: Gran Birger
Published: February 2009

All people aged 30–59 years living in one primary health care center's catchment area were invited to participate in a population based screening program. A total of 2642 people (68%) participated. An overall risk index for having a heart attack within 5 years (P5) was calculated based on diastolic BP, smoking status, total cholesterol, and age. Other risk indicators registered were Body Mass Index, and physical activity. A highly significant association between education level and age-adjusted overall risk index for both men ( p = 0.001) and women ( p < 0.001) was found. Also Body Mass Index, total cholesterol, smoking status, and, for women, diastolic blood pressure showed similar significant variation with education level with higher education associated to lower risk. These findings imply the possibility of a great variation in the “risk” of receiving pharmacological treatment for one's CVD risk factors.
Persistent Medical Problems and Permanent Impairment Five Years after Occupational Injury
Authors: Larsson Tore J. , Björnstig Ulf
Published: February 2009

In a comprehensive, one year material of 1 785 occupational injuries in the township of Umeå, Sweden, 1985-04-01/1986-03-31, the proportion of persons with persistent medical problems, two years after the event, was 39%. These were investigated again in 1990, five years after the event, and the proportion of persons with persistent medical problems had dropped to 23%. Around 4% of the injured had a definable permanent medical impairment, most often caused by a fracture, luxation or amputation of an upper extremity. Back injuries, however, were the most frequent cause for persistent medical problems, mostly in the form of ache and pain. Persons in health care, social and nursing occupations had a twice as high proportion of persistent problems as the average in the material. Of the persons that reported persistent medical problems when interviewed in 1990, one in three had changed his leisure time activities, one in five had changed jobs, and one in ten had retired early or was on long term sick leave. The group of early retired and persons on long term sick leave had a large proportion of young females and old males. The reader is reminded that conclusions and comparisons must be made with reference to the assessment and benefit structure in the particular systems of social insurance and workers' compensation.
Background Factors Predicting Non-Response in a Health Survey of Northern Finnish Young Men
Authors: Pietilä Anna-Maija , Rantakallio Paula , Läärä Esa
Published: February 2009

The study addresses the characteristics potentially predictive of non-response to a health survey among 2500 24-year-old males, on whom a notable amount of other data was available. The overall non-response rate was 40%, part of which was due to the unreachability of some subjects: 4% of the questionnaires were returned because of unknown addresses. Some ( n = 39) of the respondents had concealed the identification number in the questionnaire, which made it impossible to link these data to those collected before in their cases. We were therefore able to use effectively the data on 1450 (58%) responding subjects in this paper.

Failure to respond was more common among the subjects who had lived in towns in their youth, had not grown up in a complete family, whose socioeconomic status of the family was unknown, and whose mother was young and had a low educational level. Poorer-than-average school performance at elementary school was also predictive of a high non-response rate. Non-response was heavily associated with previous non-response to a health inquiry. Some aspects of health and behaviour in adolescense, such as smoking at the age of 14, were related to non-response to this survey, too. The non-response was higher than average among those subjects who had suffered from mental disorders (serious mental disorders, less serious mental disorders such as neurotic disorders, adjustment reactions, and psychosomatic disorders and mental retardation). The young men who were employed, were students or were doing military service at the age 24 responded better than those who were unemployed or at disability pension.
A comparative study of trends in mortality rates of the ageing population in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, 1966-1986
Authors: Sverre Jan Marcus
Published: February 2009

The populations of Finland and the three Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway and Sweden) have experienced relatively marked differences regarding trends in mortality rates since the Second World War. To assess factors that might contribute to these differences, a cohort analysis was performed based upon vital statistics for the age category 45 years to 89 years, from the four countries, for the period 1966-86. The results of log-linear modelling, which included the effects of age, period, and cohort, on mortality rates, revealed differences in the effect of age parameters on mortality between Finland and the three Scandinavian countries. These differences may be related to a genetic component. Differences in patterns of mortality rates over time relating to period and cohort effects indicate a differential development in lifestyle-related risk factors associated with the major causes of death. Based on differences in goodness-of-fit of the log-linear models, it is suggested that the Finnish population has experienced a more heterogeneous development in mortality over time than has the Scandinavian. This may be related to the greater social inequities that have existed in Finland than in Scandinavia during the decades under study.
Sixteen-year-old oral contraceptive users in Finland, 1981-1993
Authors: Kosunen Elise A-L , Rimpelä Arja H. , Rimpelä Matti K.
Published: February 2009

While adolescent fertility and abortion rates continue to decline in Finland, regional variations in teenage pregnancies persist, particularly among 16-17-year-olds. We studied differences in the use of oral contraceptives (OCs) among 16-year-old girls according to sociodemographic variables between 1981 and 1993. Questionnaires were mailed to national samples ( N = 462-1594) of 16-year-old girls biannually, giving response rates ranging from 86% to 91% (the Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey). The increasing trend in OC use levelled off in 1989 at around 17-19%. OC use was most frequent in the lower socioeconomic groups, least frequent in the rural areas, but did not vary significantly according to region of the country. The pace of adopting OCs did not vary across the socioeconomic groups or regions. The socioeconomic and regional distributions of OC use were consistent with previous studies on teenage sexual activity. The results suggest equal accessibility of family planning services; regional variation in pregnancy rates cannot be explained by unequal distribution of OC use.
Early discharge planning for elderly patients in acute hospitals — an intervention study
Authors: Styrborn Karin
Published: February 2009

In an intervention study geriatrically orientated discharge planning was tested at an acute hospital in Uppsala, Sweden. The planning was initiated at an early stage in the care of patients above the age of 75. The geriatric approach implies that the elderly patient's medical, functional and psycho-social needs are taken into consideration. A team consisting of a geriatrician and a qualified district nurse was responsible for the discharge planning in consultation with the patients and their relatives. One health care district formed the intervention group, while two comparable districts became two control groups.

The intervention proved to be effective, giving better utilization of acute hospital beds through reduced numbers of bed-blocking patients, shorter waiting times for bed-blockers and reduced expenditure for district health authorities who were financially liable for that group. This was true even when the cost of the intervention was included. The results show how vital it is that discharge planning initiated at an early stage becomes standard practice in the acute care of the elderly. Collaboration with the district nurse is necessary for continuity, exchange of information, optimal assessment of care requirements and planning for discharge and follow-up after return to the home. Geriatric consultation at an early stage in the care episode, with assessment of geriatric-medical factors and rehabilitation requirements can contribute to more efficient care and discharge planning, especially for patients “at risk” at the discharge.

In times when economic incentives are gaining increasing significance, a balance must be struck between an efficient use of resources, by choosing the right type of care at the right time, and the needs of the patients, with their right to autonomy and a say in their own care.
The Concept of Equity in Health Services Research
Authors: Krasnik Allan
Published: February 2009

A population approach and the general right to health and medical care have been important issues in the development of health policy over many centuries. However, equity is still a crucial issue in the planning and evaluation of health care. Many definitions and criteria related to equity have been formulated on the basis of conflicting theories and models. Three dimensions of fair and just resource allocation are essential when needs-based models are used: equity in access, utilization, and quality of care relative to needs. Health services research should concentrate on such outcome measures regarding equity and the effect of organizational and processual characteristics of health care systems. Prominent examples of such research efforts are presented, but, unfortunately, there are few reliable and systematic data from this kind of study. Health care researchers have a special responsibility towards the population at large to undertake qualified research on equity and to communicate the results to the general public.
Risk Factors for Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Petridou Eleni , Koussouri Mary , Toupadaki Nektaria , Papavassiliou Antigoni , Youroukos Sotiris , Katsarou Effi , Trichopoulos Dimitrios
Published: February 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between a series of maternal, antenatal, perinatal, socioeconomic and environmental variables and the occurrence of cerebral palsy (CP) in a setting different from those in which previous analytic epidemiologic studies had been undertaken. The study was of case-control design and included 103 children with cerebral palsy born between 1984 and 1988 and residents of the Greater Athens area at any time during 1991 and 1992. Controls were chosen among the neighbors of the index case or were healthy siblings of children with neurological diseases other than CP seen by the same neurologists as the children with CP; a total of 254 control children were eventually included. Statistical analysis was done by modeling the data through unconditional logistic regression. Statistically significant ( p,<0.05) risk factors of potential causal importance were: twin membership (OR=10.2), gestational age (OR = 0.5 per 4 weeks), birth weight conditional on gestational age (OR = 0.9 per 100 g), congenital malformations (OR=7.5), unhealthy placenta (OR = 6.6), placenta previa (6 cases, no controls), abnormal amniotic fluid (OR = 3.6), head circumference more than 36 cm (OR = 9.0), general anesthesia during labor (OR = 4.3), forceps delivery (OR = 6.8), and birth trauma (OR = 11.5). Among children with no identifiable prenatal risk factors there was no excess prevalence of one or more perinatal risk factors in CP cases compared to controls, which implies that the latter factors impart their effect through interactions with co-existing prenatal or other risk factors.
Marital Status as a Risk Factor for Fetal and Infant Mortality
Authors: Arntzen Annett , Moum Torbjorn , Magnus Per , Bakketeig Leiv S.
Published: February 2009

In order to study pregnancy outcome for married versus unmarried mothers when controlling statistically for maternal age, educational level, socioeconomic status and income, a total of 93,800 firstborn singleton births in 1978-1982 were examined. The unmarried mothers were younger, less well educated and had a lower socioeconomic status than the married mothers. The stillbirth, neonatal, and postneo-natal mortality rates were higher among offspring of unmarried mothers. After taking sociodemographic factors into account, marital status was found to be associated with postneonatal mortality. The adjusted odds ratio for postneo-natal mortality was 1.5.

Our results indicate the importance of marital status as a demographic risk factor even in a welfare society. There is a need to identify specific risk behaviours associated with the life styles of unmarried mothers. Hopefully our findings will provide information that can be used for future programmes of prevention, especially for the mother and her child during the first year of life.
Breast-feeding in Iceland
Authors: Freysteinsson Hjalmar , Sigurdsson Johann A.
Published: February 2009

The aim of this study was to analyse how long babies born in Akureyri district in 1990 were breast-fed, compared with babies born in 1985. Possible predictive factors for the length of breast-feeding were studied by univariate and multivariate analyses. From 1985 to 1990, the proportion of infants exclusively breast-fed at the age of 3 months increased from 57% to 70% ( p<0.01) and for those breastfed exclusively or partially, from 67% to 83% ( p<0.01). By 1990, 64% of all babies were breast-fed at the age of 6 months, compared with 43% in 1985 ( p<0.01). The factor with the strongest correlation with a long breast-feeding period was a well educated father. Other factors correlated with the duration of breast-feeding were the mother's age, number of previous children, attending a maternity course, and being a non-smoker. It is concluded that real beneficial changes regarding the duration of breast-feeding in Iceland have been observed during the last decade, but the objectives of the preventive measures recommended by health authorities have not yet been reached.
Multivariate analyses of mortality from coronary heart disease due to biological and behavioural factors
Authors: Qvist Jan , Johansson Sven-Erik , Johansson Leena Maria
Published: February 2009

Due to affluence and a sedentary life style a great deal of people in the western countries are affected by coronary heart disease (CHD). The relation between CHD and certain risk factors pertaining to life style is evaluated in this study. A primary purpose is to study certain crucial risk factors for women. The main variables are age, smoking, overweight (measured by BMI), blood pressure and exercise.

This prospective study is based on self-reported data from the nation-wide Swedish Level of Living Survey and on data from the national Cause of Death Register. The data were analysed separately by sex using a proportional hazards model. The sample was divided into two strata: those with heart disease and/or diabetes initially, and all the rest.

A sample of 2546 men and 2760 women between 45 and 74 years of age was followed from 1980 to the end of 1990. During this period 189 men and 75 women died of coronary heart disease (CHD).

It was found that high blood pressure raised the relative risk (RR) of death from CHD by almost 60% in both men and women. Male smokers (< 14 cigarettes a day) had about 60% (significant) and female smokers (< 10 cigarettes a day) 150% (significant) excessive mortality from CHD. Different levels of overweight among women were strongly related to excess mortality from CHD, ranging between 100 and 300%. Among men there was no such relation. Lack of physical activity showed only a weak (non-significant) increased risk of death due to CHD. Diabetes was also found to be an important risk factor for mortality from CHD, especially among women, being seven times as high as among non diabetics. A test of sex differences revealed that there were two significant interactions, namely between sex and overweight, and between sex and age. Background variables in relation to mortality from all cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were also studied. There were of course many similarities between the effects of the background variables in both the disease groups, but there were interesting differences too, e.g. overweight turned out to be a significant risk factor also for men and physical inactivity for women.
Effects of a health examination programme on quality of life and subjective well-being
Authors: Rose Gisela , Bengtsson Calle
Published: February 2009

The effects on quality of life and psychological well-being of a health examination programme in a branch of Swedish industry were studied by means of questionnaires in 124 white-collar workers. They were asked to answer two questionnaires, one before and the other one month after the examination (the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and the Psychological General Well-being Schedule (PGWB)). Both are well-known and well-documented standard questionnaires used for estimating quality of life and degree of subjective well-being. The answers were compared with those of a control group comprising other white-collar workers in the same industry, of the same sex and age but who did not participate in the health examination and who were asked to complete the same questionnaires twice. The group that had participated in the health examination did not differ generally from the control group with respect to intra-individual differences as studied in the questionnaires on the two occasions. This indicates that no deterioration of quality of life or of psychological well-being was experienced by the participants in the health examination.
Mental impairment and utilization of community services
Authors: Rönnberg Lisa , Welin Lars , Winblad Bengt
Published: February 2009

Before the implementation of the health care reform of 1992 (The Ädel Reform), a study of the frequency of mental impairment of people in different residential and care services was conducted in a parish of Stockholm. All residents, 65 years or older, registered with Primary Care Centres, Geriatric Hospitals and other institutions were assessed with respect to cognitive function according to the seven stage “Global Deterioration Scale” (GDS). The age-specific frequencies of mental impairment were similar to prevalences reported in earlier studies. The frequency of cognitive dysfunction of non-institutionalized and institutionalized elderly was 42% and 52%, respectively, and higher for women than for men. There was considerable variation in the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction among subjects in different types of accommodation. For the different stages of mental impairment the average age was about the same. With increasing need and demand for services, and limited resources, these variations in cognitive dysfunction have important implications for structuring appropriate support systems in a population with a rapidly rising proportion of elderly people.
Health behaviour, social integration, perceived health and dysfunction. A comparison between patients with type I and II diabetes and controls
Authors: Aalto Anna-Mari , Uutela Antti , Kangas Tero
Published: February 2009

This survey compared diabetic patients ( n = 953) and population controls ( n = 2366) in terms of socioeconomic and occupational factors, family life, leisure activity, health habits, perceived social support and quality of life. The differences between type I and type II diabetic patients and controls were examined by proportions adjusted for age. Type II diabetic men had a lower educational level and were more often retired, unemployed or unmarried than controls. Type II diabetics were also less likely to have fewer healthy behaviour patterns than controls. Type 1 diabetics assessed their social support as inadequate slightly more often than controls, though no major differences in perceived availability of social support were detected between study groups. Both diabetic groups reported a lower health-related quality of life than healthy controls. Thus a chronic illness such as diabetes seems to tax the individual's personal resources, leading to lower quality of life.
Pitfalls in epidemiological analysis
Authors: Carlsson Gösta
Published: February 2009

Epidemiologists rely heavily on the relative risk in their analyses and presentations. As an index it is intelligible and intuitively appealing but can give an exaggerated impression of the strength of the association and is unreliable for comparisons. This can be shown by deriving relative risks from a normal correlation surface with an unimpressive level of correlation. Relative risks ought to be handled with caution; the underlying population risk and the relative size of exposed and reference categories should be reported. Efforts to control for additional variables, confounders, by some kind of multi-variate technique, another standard procedure, could easily give a false sense of security. From time to time it has been made clear in the literature that errors of measurement in the third variable or in the additional variables could lead to the appearance of false independent effects, but these warnings do not seem to have been heeded nearly as much as they deserve. A simulation experiment is used to bring the lesson home, with realistic numerical assumptions. A moderate degree of error contamination will produce spurious effects. This has nothing to do with sampling errors, large samples rather aggravate this danger. In meta-studies this is a source of error and conflicting results to take account of.
Deinstitutionalization of the elderly in Finland, 1981-91
Authors: Aro Seppo , Noro Anja , Salinto Marjo
Published: February 2009

The success of Finnish deinstitutionalization policy among the elderly in 1981-1991 was evaluated in terms of institutionalization rates and case-mix. Censuses of institutionalized people in all public and private residential homes and health centre hospitals (or nursing homes) were performed in 1981, 1986 and 1991. Data on demographic factors, diagnoses and dependency level were gathered. Censuses from the closest years of psychiatric patients were also used to obtain a comprehensive view of institutionalization. The eligibility criteria for the study were (1) age 65 years or more (2) currently in long-term care. In both men and women the overall relative reduction was 33%, and largest in psychiatric care, at over 67%. In residential home care the relative reduction was about 40%. In health centre hospitals a slight increase was seen, about 10%. Length of stay shortened in residential homes but increased in health centre wards. Dependency level increased among the elderly people in long-term institutional care during ten years. In conclusion, the deinstitutionalization rate was substantial among the elderly in Finland. However, because of rapid demographic change the absolute number of elderly in long-term care remained almost constant. The case-mix has become more demanding and the proportion of elderly in constant need of extensive help has risen.
Health habits and risk behavior among youth in three communities with different public health approach
Authors: Berg-Kelly Kristina , Alvén Bengt , Erdes Laslo , Erneholm Torbjörn , Johannisson Ingemar , Mattsson-Elofson Eva
Published: February 2009

Background: There is a consensus today that comprehensive public health activities including many actors are needed for impact on health compromising behaviors. However, few studies are available to document long term effects regarding youth. We identified three rural, demographically comparable communities dominated by nuclear middle class families. One of these communities demonstrated comprehensive public health activities directed towards adolescents' needs and life-styles for a duration of at least 15 years, while the other two had an outspoken ideology of relying only on national health promotion.

Methods: Local health planners and pediatricians performed in-depth interviews with key people and checked relevant reports to trace the local public health history and to assess conventional and unconventional activities regarding health promotion for adolescents in the three communities. The outcome of at least 15 years of different policy regarding health promotion was studied in 1991 through self-reports of 915 subjects, 13–16 years old, with a questionnaire distributed through schools with questions on health, health habits and health compromising behaviors.

The study itself turned out to be an important intervention. The two “inactive” communities changed their policy and methods. For this reason a second survey was done in 1993 with 593 subjects 13–16 years in the “active” and in one of the “inactive” communities.

Results: The adolescents in the “active” community with a long duration of energetic and comprehensive public health activities consistently demonstrated better mental health, health habits and less risk behavior in contrast to the state in the two “inactive” communities. Two years of active work in the “inactive” communities marginally improved health there.

Conclusion: This study suggests that consistent and comprehensive public health activities might have reduced risk taking behavior and improved health and health habits during mid-adolescence.
Sick-leave among women and the role of psychiatric disorder
Authors: Hensing Gunnel , Spak Fredrik , Alexanderson Kristina , Allebeck Peter
Published: February 2009

The aim was to assess sick-leave among women in relation to psychiatric disorder. A stratified population-based sample of women in Gothenburg were interviewed and diagnoses were made according to DSM-III-R. Sick-leave data was obtained for a ten year period. Women with psychiatric disorder had higher rates of sick-leave, compared to women without such disorders, in analyses taking into account age, socio-economic status, physical health, marital status and motherhood. Presence of psychiatric and physical illness were both independently associated with higher sick-leave. Highest sick-leave was found among those with a combination of psychiatric and physical morbidity. Psychiatric disorder is an important factor in sick-leave among women, especially regarding length of absence.
Comparison between blood analysis and police assessment of drug and alcohol use by injured drivers
Authors: Sjögren Harmeet , Björnstig Ulf , Eriksson Anders
Published: February 2009

Official statistics for alcohol/drug use by drivers can influence the introduction of intervention measures against impaired driving. Thus, the validity of official statistics is important. Since official statistics are based on police assessment of inebriation, the present study was aimed at investigating this issue by comparing blood analysis with the rate of police detection of alcohol/drug use by injured drivers. All injured motor vehicle drivers who were hospitalized (HD) (Umeå: n = 104) and all fatally-injured drivers (FD) who were autopsied (Umeå, Northern Sweden: n = 110; Gothenburg, Western Sweden: n= 133) from May 1991 through Dec 1993 were tested for alcohol and both licit and illicit drugs. The findings of the blood analyses were compared with police assessment of inebriation. In the HD, the police suspected inebriation in 13% (n= 13) whilst blood analyses showed drug and/or alcohol in 18% (n = 19) of the drivers (sensitivity 69%; specificity 97%). In the FD, the police suspected inebriation in 7% (n = 16) of the drivers whilst blood analyses showed drug and/or alcohol in 23% (n = 57) of the drivers (sensitivity 53%; specificity 100%). The blood alcohol-positive HD who the police suspected to be inebriated had significantly higher mean blood alcohol concentrations than those not suspected. To avoid biased statistics, official statistics on inebriation of injured drivers should be based on blood analysis of drug/alcohol and not on police assessment.
Hypertension and years of driving in transit vehicle operators
Authors: Ragland David R. , Greiner Birgit A. , Holman Barbara L. , Fisher June M.
Published: February 2009

In this study, data from transit vehicle operators of the San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni), and a control group of individuals newly hired but not yet working as operators, were used to investigate prevalence of hypertension as a function of exposure to bus driving (years of driving), controlling for alcohol consumption and body mass index. Data were collected from transit vehicle operators in the course of their regular biennial examination during the period November 1983 to October 1985. Groups working as operators fewer than 10 years ( n =1137), from 10 to 20 years ( n =493), and more than 20 years ( n =196) were compared to each other and to a group of individuals with no prior exposure, but who were given a medical examination just before beginning their jobs as transit vehicle operators ( n = 226). For hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure ≤ 140, or diastolic blood pressure ≥90, or taking hypertension medication), the prevalence, adjusted for age, race, and gender, increased in a stepwise fashion from 28.8 percent in the group with no exposure to 38.9 percent in the group of drivers with more than 20 years on the job. A similar pattern was found for moderate to severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≤ 160, or diastolic blood pressure ≥95, or hypertension medication). These patterns were diminished, but not eliminated, when body mass index and alcohol consumption were considered. Higher rates of separation from employment for hypertensive operators suggested that the effect of years of employment may be underestimated by this cross-sectional comparison. Prolonged exposure to operating a transit vehicle may be associated with increased hypertension; increased alcohol consumption and body mass index with increased years of driving may account for at least some of the increased hypertension.
Characterization of Current Environmentally-Friendly Films
Authors: Curtzwiler G. , Vorst K. , Palmer S. , Brown J.W.
Published: February 2009

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of environmentally-friendly films for fresh-cut lettuce. This objective was achieved by determining the gas transmission rates for oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and the thermal and mechanical properties of the films following ASTM standards D3985, F1249, F2476-05, D3418-03, and D882-02, respectively. Electromechanical testing and thermal analysis determined that biodegradable polypropylene (BPP) possessed similar mechanical and thermal properties when compared to the industry standard. This study suggests that BPP films may be used in place of traditional petroleum-based films currently used to package fresh-cut produce.
OpenADAM: an open source genome-wide association data management system for Affymetrix SNP arrays
Authors: Yeung J MY , Sham P C , Chan A SW , Cherny S S
Published: February 2009

Background

Large scale genome-wide association studies have become popular since the introduction of high throughput genotyping platforms. Efficient management of the vast array of data generated poses many challenges.

Description

We have developed an open source web-based data management system for the large amount of genotype data generated from the Affymetrix GeneChip® Mapping Array and Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array platforms. The database supports genotype calling using DM, BRLMM, BRLMM-P or Birdseed algorithms provided by the Affymetrix Power Tools. The genotype and corresponding pedigree data are stored in a relational database for efficient downstream data manipulation and analysis, such as calculation of allele and genotype frequencies, sample identity checking, and export of genotype data in various file formats for analysis using commonly-available software. A novel method for genotyping error estimation is implemented using linkage disequilibrium information from the HapMap project. All functionalities are accessible via a web-based user interface.

Conclusion

OpenADAM provides an open source database system for management of Affymetrix genome-wide association SNP data.
Theoretical analysis of internal epitrochoidal and hypotrochoidal machines
Authors: Bonandrini G , Mimmi G , Rottenbacher C
Published: February 2009

In this article, a complete and original method to analyse both the epitrochoidal and the hypotrochoidal rotary machines is presented. The internal trochoidal machines consist of two rotors: the first rotor is an envelope of a trochoid, the second rotor is its conjugate. In particular, in this article, the profiles of the trochoidal rotor and its conjugate are expressed by original and particularly synthetic equations using a method based on the theory of gearing. Then the geometry of these machines is completely defined by the choice of four non-dimensional parameters. Once these parameters are selected, the geometric and kinematic characteristics of the rotor profiles are obtained in an original analytic form; hence, the main theoretical performance indexes are computed by a proper method. The results of the analysis allow us to choose the best geometric configuration for a specific application.
Sound transmission between partitioned contiguous enclosures
Authors: Hosseini-Toudeshky H , Mofakhami M R , Yarmohammadi R
Published: February 2009

By increasing the application of lightweight constructions, sound transmission between the adjacent enclosures becomes a more important consideration in designing new buildings. In this article, the parameters that may significantly affect the sound transmission level through a partition between two adjacent enclosures are investigated, i.e. geometrical dimensions, arrangement of enclosures, boundary conditions, multi-layered partitions, and framed (or reinforced) conditions of the partitions. For this purpose, sound transmission is modelled using the finite-element method. The obtained results from sound transmission using Perspex party walls with different width and boundary conditions are compared with those obtained from a double-layered wall with an air layer. The effects of an enclosure's arrangements and dimensions on sound transmission of the party walls are also studied. Using the cross-framed party wall causes more noise reduction than the double-layered party wall. The results also show that sound transmission between rooms with an asymmetric arrangement is less than that obtained from a symmetric configuration.
Noise reduction of an induction motor for a forklift
Authors: Kim W , Im H , Chung J
Published: February 2009

This article presents the reduction of acoustic noise generated by electromagnetic forces in an induction motor. After summarizing the electromagnetic excitation forces due to the interaction between the stator—rotor slot permeance and the stator winding magnetomotive force, the effects of electromagnetic force on the noise and vibration of an induction motor are analysed. To identify experimentally the noise sources of the motor, the signal analyses for noise and vibration are performed by using waterfall plots of noise and vibration spectra. It is found that severe noise and vibration are caused by the electromagnetic force when the mode number of the excitation shape for a stator is low. Furthermore, it is verified that the motor noise is amplified if the excitation frequency of the electromagnetic force coincides with one of the natural frequencies of the stator. It is experimentally demonstrated that this severe noise can be considerably reduced by structure modifications. Finally, some design guidelines are suggested to develop an induction motor with a low level of noise.
Development of a new type of transmission screw nut with high efficiency and heavy duty characteristics
Authors: Sun Y , Zhou X , Wei L , Wang W
Published: February 2009

A new approach for high efficiency and heavy-duty screw transmission was presented and studied. It is characterized by a steel base and a lining made of carbon fabric enforced polymer self-lubrication composite material lining on the thread surface. The spiral surface layer was fabricated by net-shape forming instead of traditional machining. Oil grooves were also implemented in forming. By nut contour structure optimization, the loads on every screw fillet are well distributed, decreasing the maximum loads on fillets. This type of screw nut has excellent anti-friction and wear-resisting performance as well as high burden ability. The experiments showed that the composite nuts had excellent tribology properties under heavy-duty conditions. Frictional torque on the composite nut decreased by 53.5 per cent and transmission efficiency increased by 48.65 per cent compared with bronze nuts. The development of the new type of sliding screw nut not only plays an important role for alternating current servo press development, but also has revolutionary significance for all mechanical equipment using screw transmission.
The U.S. Equity Return Premium: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: DeLong J. Bradford , Magin Konstantin
Published: February 2009

For more than a century, diversified long-horizon investments in America's stock market have consistently received much higher returns than investors in bonds: a return gap averaging 6 percent per year. An enormous amount of creative and ingenious work by a great many economists has gone into seeking explanations for the so-called “equity premium return puzzle,” but so far without a fully satisfactory answer. We first review the facts about the equity premium and then discuss a range of explanations that have been proposed. We conclude that the equity premium puzzle has not been solved: it remains a puzzle. And we anticipate that the equity return premium will continue, albeit at a smaller level than in the past—perhaps four percent per year. (The final draft of this paper was written before the recent stock market crash. As of October 2008, we can say that the crash does not fundamentally alter our conclusions and actually strengthens the case for a substantial future equity premium.)
Evaluation of the BD Vacutainer® PST™ II Blood Collection Tube for special chemistry analytes
Authors: Chance Jeffrey , Berube Julie , Vandersmissen Marita , Blanckaert Norbert
Published: February 2009

: The performance of the BD Vacutainer

: Tubes were drawn by routine venipuncture from 42 subjects according to a randomized draw order. Tubes were processed and centrifuged according to recommended handling procedures. Serum and plasma from the comparison tubes were aliquoted to secondary containers prior to analysis. Specimens were then tested for selected special chemistry analytes at two time intervals (initial time and after 24 h storage). Analytes tested included thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, total thyroxine, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, ferritin, cortisol, vitamin B12, folate, and testosterone. The data were collected and analyzed by analysis of variance and mean bias comparisons.

: The performance of the BD Vacutainer

: The BD Vacutainer

Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:358–61.