Protective Eyewear Promotion: Applying Principles of Behaviour Change in the Design of a Squash Injury Prevention Programme

Eye injuries in squash have the potential to be severe. Although these injuries can be prevented through the use of protective eyewear, few players wear such eyewear. The aim of this paper is, to outline the behavioural principles guiding the design of a squash eyewear promotion initiative, the Protective Eyewear Promotion (PEP). Ecological principles of behaviour change were used to provide a comprehensive perspective on intrapersonal factors, policies and physical environmental influences of protective eyewear use. Results of baseline player surveys and venue manager inter-views were used to provide relevant and specific intervention content. At baseline, protective eyewear was not found to be readily available, and players' behaviours, knowledge and attitudes did not favour its use. The main components of PEP involved informing and educating both players and squash venue operators of the risk of eye injury and of appropriate protective eyewear, as well as assisting with the availability of the eyewear and offering incentives for players to use it. A structural strength of PEP was the strong collaborative links with the researchers of different disciplines, the squash governing body, eyewear manufacturers, squash venue personnel, as well as players. Attempts were made within the project structure to make provision for the future dissemination and sustainability of more widespread eye injury prevention measures in the sport of squash.

Mapping the consequences of an unanticipated drug supply change of uncertain origins: Response to the commentaries

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Atomic composition profile change of SiGe islands during Si capping

The 6% Ge isocomposition profile change of individual SiGe islands during Si capping at 640 degrees C is investigated by atomic force microscopy combined with a selective etching procedure. The island shape transforms from a dome to a {103}-faceted pyramid at a Si capping thickness of 0.32 nm, followed by the decreasing of pyramid facet inclination with increasing Si capping layer thickness. The 6% Ge isocomposition profiles show that the island with more highly Si enriched at its one base corner before Si capping becomes to be more highly Si intermixed along pyramid base diagonals during Si capping. This Si enrichment evolution inside an island during Si capping can be attributed to the exchange of capped Si atoms that aggregated to the island by surface diffusion with Ge atoms from inside the island by both atomic surface segregation and interdiffusion rather than to the atomic interdiffusion at the interface between the island and the Si substrate. In addition, the observed Si enrichment along the island base diagonals is attempted to be explained on the basis of the elastic constant anisotropy of the Si and Ge materials in (001) plane. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.

Using epidemiological models to estimate the health effects of diet behaviour change: the example of tailored fruit and vegetable promotion

Objective: To explore the use of epidemiological modelling for the estimation of health effects of behaviour change interventions, using the example of computer-tailored nutrition education aimed at fruit and vegetable consumption in The Netherlands. Design: The effects of the intervention on changes in consumption were obtained from an earlier evaluation study. The effect on health outcomes was estimated using an epidemiological multi-state life table model. input data for the model consisted of relative risk estimates for cardiovascular disease and cancers, data on disease occurrence and mortality, and survey data on the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Results: if the computer-tailored nutrition education reached the entire adult population and the effects were sustained, it could result in a mortality decrease of 0.4 to 0.7% and save 72 to 115 life-years per 100000 persons aged 25 years or older. Healthy life expectancy is estimated to increase by 32.7 days for men and 25.3 days for women. The true effect is likely to lie between this theoretical maximum and zero effect, depending mostly on durability of behaviour change and reach of the intervention. Conclusion: Epidemiological models can be used to estimate the health impact of health promotion interventions.

The use of a change in gentamicin clearance as an early predictor of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity

A retrospective review was undertaken in 744 patients who were dose-individualized with gentamicin once daily to evaluate a change in gentamicin clearance as a potential predictor of nephrotoxicity. The definition of nephrotoxicity was chosen to be a change in creatinine clearance greater than 20%. Similarly, a change in gentamicin clearance of greater than 20% was also considered a possible index of nephrotoxicity. Four criteria were developed to assess the usefulness of gentamicin clearance as a predictor of nephrotoxicity. Following the application of the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 132 patients were available for the analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were assessed for each of the criteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were produced to determine if an optimum value in the change of gentamicin clearance could be found to maximize sensitivity and specificity. The overall incidence of nephrotoxicity based on a decrease in creatinine clearance by 20% or more was 3.8%. Women were overrepresented in the nephrotoxic group [71.4% versus 40.1% (P = 0.0025)]. Patients with nephrotoxicity had statistically longer treatment periods, increased cumulative dose, and more dosing predictions (P < 0.05 in each case). The sensitivity of the criteria ranged from 43 to 46%, and specificity ranged from 93 to 99%. The positive and negative predictive values ranged from 63 to 94% and 86 to 89%, respectively. In those patients in whom nephrotoxicity was predicted from a change in gentamicin clearance, this change occurred on average 3 days before the change in creatinine clearance (P < 0.05). A change in gentamicin clearance to predict nephrotoxicity may be a useful addition to current monitoring methods, although it is not the complete answer.

Learning of foraging skills by fish

This chapter outlines the relationships between a number of key factors that influence learning and memory, and illustrates them by reference to studies on the foraging behaviour of fish. Learning can lead to significant improvements in foraging performance in only a few exposures, and at least some fish species are capable of adjusting their foraging strategy as patterns of patch profitability change. There is also evidence that the memory window for prey varies between fish species, and that this may be a function of environmental predictability. Convergence between behavioural ecology and comparative psychology offers promise in terms of developing more mechanistically realistic foraging models and explaining apparently 'suboptimal' patterns of behaviour. Foraging decisions involve the interplay between several distinct systems of learning and memory, including those that relate to habitat, food patches, prey types, conspecifics and predators. Fish biologists, therefore, face an interesting challenge in developing integrated accounts of fish foraging that explain how cognitive sophistication can help individual animals to deal with the complexity of the ecological context.

Effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication among adults with intellectual disability

Background Compared to the general population, Helicobacter pylori infection is more common among adults with intellectual disability (ID) and is associated with greater levels of disability, maladaptive behaviour, and institutionalization. Little information exists about the effects of eradication therapy in this group, so we aimed to evaluate: (1) success of a standard H. pylori eradication protocol; (2) frequency of side-effects; and (3) impact of eradication on level of functional ability and maladaptive behaviour. Method A cohort of adults with ID underwent assessment of their levels of function and maladaptive behaviour, medical history, physical examination, and H. pylori testing using serology and faecal antigen tests. Some received standard H. pylori eradication therapy. Twelve months later, participants underwent repeat assessment, were grouped by change in H. pylori status and compared. Results Of 168 participants, 117 (70%) were currently infected with H. pylori at baseline, and 96 (82%) of the 117 were given standard H. pylori eradication therapy. The overall eradication rate was 61% but 31% reported side-effects. Institutional status of the participants, their level of behaviour or function, and number of comorbid medical conditions were not associated with failure of eradication. There were no statistically significant differences in level of behaviour or function, ferritin, or weight between the groups in whom H. pylori was eradicated or stayed positive. Conclusion Adults with ID have lower H. pylori eradication and higher side-effect rates than the general population. Levels of maladaptive behaviour and disability did not improve with eradication and thus greater levels of maladaptive behaviour or disability appear to be risk factors for, rather than consequences of, H. pylori infection.

A preliminary investigation of the effectiveness of a sleep apnea education program

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate a standardised sleep apnea patient education program and develop a study design that may be used to evaluate other such education programs. Method: Thirty-four adults diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) underwent a standard sleep apnea education program and completed measures of knowledge of and beliefs about sleep apnea before, after, and 3 months following education. Two outcome measures were used: the Apnea Knowledge Test (AKT) and the Apnea Beliefs Scale (ABS). Results: AKT results showed significant knowledge gains posteducation, which were maintained at follow-up. Patients also reported more positive beliefs about their ability to change their behaviour and comply with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment recommendations after education. Discussion: Findings from this preliminary investigation suggest that the education program used in this study may improve patients' knowledge of CPAP and promote functional beliefs about OSAHS treatment. This program clearly warrants further research, and ultimately such programs may prove important in improving CPAP compliance. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Molecular dynamics characterization of n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside micelle structure in aqueous solution

n-Octyl-beta-D-glueopyranoside (OG) is a non-ionic glycolipid, which is used widely in biotechnical and biochemical applications. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations from two different initial coordinates and velocities in explicit solvent have been performed to characterize the structural behaviour of an OG aggregate at equilibrium conditions. Geometric packing properties determined from the simulations and small angle neutron scattering experiment state that OG micelles are more likely to exist in a non-spherical shape, even at the concentration range near to the critical micelle concentration (0.025 M). Despite few large deviations in the principal moment of inertia ratios, the average micelle shape calculated from both simulations is a prolate ellipsoid. The deviations at these time scales are presumably the temporary shape change of a micelle. However, the size of the micelle and the accessible surface areas were constant during the simulations with the micelle surface being rough and partially elongated. Radial distribution functions computed for the hydroxyl oxygen atoms of an OG show sharper peaks at a minimum van der Waals contact distance than the acetal oxygen, ring oxygen, and anomeric carbon atoms. This result indicates that these atoms are pointed outwards at the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interface, form hydrogen bonds with the water molecules, and thus hydrate the micelle surface effectively. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Emergent temporal behaviour and collaborative work

Although collaboration manifestly takes place in time, the role of time in shaping the behaviour of collaborations, and collaborative systems, is not well understood. Time is more than clock-time or the subjective experience of time; its effects on systems include differential rates of change of system elements, temporally non-linear behaviour and phenomena such as entrainment and synchronization. As a system driver, it generates emergent effects shaping systems and their behaviour. In the paper we present a systems view of time, and consider the implications of such a view through the case of collaborative development of a new university timetabling system. Teasing out the key temporal phenomena using the notion of temporal trajectories helps us understand the emergent temporal behaviour and suggests a means for improving outcomes.