Normalisation of shear test data for rate-independent compressible fabrics

This article describes a method of using both picture frame (PF) and bias extension (BE) tests together to characterize accurately the trellis shearing resistance of engineering fabrics under low in-plane tension conditions. Automated image analysis software has been developed to reduce the amount of laborious manual analysis required to interpret BE data accurately. Normalization methods for both PF and BE tests on rate-independent compressible fabrics are presented. Normalization of PF test results is relatively straightforward while normalization of BE test results for direct comparison with PF data is more complicated. The normalization method uses a number of simple assumptions to account for the nonuniform shear strain field induced across BE samples during testing. Normalized results from BE tests on samples of different aspect ratios are compared and provide validation of the theory

Determinan Pendapatan Pekerja Wanita Sektor Informal di Desa Baturiti Kabupaten Tabanan

Tabanan Baturiti village, one of the largest villages in the district population Baturiti. Women in the village helped men to work, especially in the informal sector (agriculture, trade and craftsmen) The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of income informal sector women workers, as well as the influence of age, education, working capital and time allocation simultaneously and partially on the income of women workers in the informal sector Baturiti village. In this study were taken 90 respondents, the extraction is carried out by quota sampling. Further analysis of data using multiple linear regression analysis technique. The variables of age, education, working capital, and allocation waktudapat explain 95.9 percent change in income. Among the four independent variables, it appeared that the working capital has the most dominant influence on female labor income variable. Based on these findings it can be suggested that in order to increase the income of women workers, the working capital loans that are distributed to women workers

Factors associated with retention in a smoking cessation trial for persons with a mental illness: A descriptive study

Background Exploring factors associated with retention in randomised trials provides insight into potential threats to internal and external study validity, and may inform the development of interventions to increase retention in future trials. Given a paucity of existing research in the field, a study was conducted to explore factors associated with retention in a smoking intervention trial involving persons with a mental illness, considering demographic and smoking characteristics, treatment condition and engagement in prior follow-up assessments. Method A descriptive study was undertaken using data derived from a RCT of a smoking cessation intervention initiated in four adult psychiatric inpatient units in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Retention assessment was undertaken at 1, 6 and 12-months post-discharge. A Generalised Linear Mixed Model was adopted to explore associations between retention at any follow up time point and demographic and smoking characteristics. Chi square analyses explored the association between retention at all follow up time points and treatment condition, and binary logistic regression analyses assessed for relationships between retention at 12-month follow up and engagement in prior follow up assessments. Results Retention rates were 63, 56 and 60% at the 1, 6 and 12-month assessments, respectively. No association was found between retention at any follow-up time point and 13 of 15 demographic and smoking characteristics. Younger participants and those who identified to be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander were more likely to be retained (both ps > 0.05). Retention rates did not vary according to treatment condition at any follow-up time point. Participants who completed a prior assessment were more likely to complete the 12 month assessment (both prior assessments: OR 10.7, p < 0.001; 6 month assessment: OR 6.01, p < 0.001; and 1 month assessment: OR 1.8, p = 0.002). Conclusion The underrepresentation of younger participants and those identifying to be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander may limit the generalisability of findings. Findings suggest that inclusion of multiple contacts during a trial follow up period may increase retention at the final assessment. Interventions to improve retention, overall and for those sub-groups less likely to be retained, in smoking trials involving persons with a mental illness are needed. Further assessment of sample characteristics, and also trial design factors, associated with retention in this field is warranted

Interventions in sports settings to reduce risky alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm: a systematic review

Background: Elevated levels of risky alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm have been reported for sportspeople and supporters compared to non-sporting populations. Limited systematic reviews have been conducted to assess the effect of interventions targeting such behaviours. Methods: A review was undertaken to determine if interventions implemented in sports settings decreased alcohol consumption and related harms. Studies were included that implemented interventions within sports settings; measured alcohol consumption or alcohol-related injury or violence and were either randomised controlled trials, staggered enrolment trials, stepped-wedged trials, quasi-randomised trials, quasi-experimental trials or natural experiments. Studies without a parallel comparison group were excluded. Studies from both published and grey literature were included. Two authors independently screened potential studies against the eligibility criteria, and two authors independently extracted data from included studies and assessed risk of bias. The results of included studies were synthesised narratively. Results: The title and abstract of 6382 papers and the full text of 45 of these papers were screened for eligibility. Three studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. One of the included studies was a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a cognitive-behavioural intervention with athletes within an Olympic training facility in the USA. The study reported a significant change in alcohol use between pre-test and follow-up between intervention and control groups. The other two studies were RCTs in community sports clubs in Ireland and Australia. The Australian study found a significant intervention effect for both risky alcohol consumption at sports clubs and overall risk of alcohol-related harm. The Irish study found no significant intervention effect. Conclusions: A limited number of studies have been conducted to assess the effect of interventions implemented in sports settings on alcohol consumption and related harms. While two of the three studies found significant intervention effects, it is difficult to determine the extent to which such effects are generalisable. Further controlled trials are required in this setting. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD4201400173

Uptake of smoking cessation aids by smokers with a mental illness

Psychiatric inpatient settings represent an opportunity to initiate the provision of tobacco cessation care to smokers with a mental illness. This study describes the use of evidence-based smoking cessation aids proactively and universally offered to a population of psychiatric inpatients upon discharge, and explores factors associated with their uptake. Data derived from the conduct of a randomised controlled trial were analysed in terms of the proportion of participants (N = 378) that utilised cessation aids including project delivered telephone smoking cessation counselling and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and Quitline support. Factors associated with uptake of cessation aids were explored using multivariable logistic regression analyses. A large proportion of smokers utilised project delivered cessation counselling calls (89 %) and NRT (79 %), while 11 % used the Quitline. The majority accepted more than seven project delivered telephone cessation counselling calls (52 %), and reported NRT use during more than half of their accepted calls (70 %). Older age, higher nicotine dependence, irregular smoking and seeing oneself as a non-smoker were associated with uptake of behavioural cessation aids. Higher nicotine dependence was similarly associated with use of pharmacological aids, as was NRT use whilst an inpatient. Most smokers with a mental illness took up a proactive offer of aids to support their stopping smoking. Consideration by service providers of factors associated with uptake may increase further the proportion of such smokers who use evidence-based cessation aids and consequently quit smoking successfully