Weiterbildung von Managern und Führungskräften auf ökologisch wirtschaftenden Bauernhöfen

Are organic farms suited to offer educational training for managers and stakeholders working in leading positions in companies or institutions? Eight interviews with experts were carried out in 2007 and analysed by methods of qualitative social research. Substantial deficiencies of managers and executives lie in the field of soft skills and have their origin in the school system among other reasons. The basic precondition for a successful course/training is the transfer of items that were perceived and learned in daily life. The experts are convinced that organic farms are well suited to offer educational courses and seminars for managers and executives especially because of some characteristics of organic farming: holistic and systemic perception, ethical values, farm diversity, sustainability, exposure to time und bounds, coherences on different farm levels etc. The ways of performance can be different (conceptual design, participants, target group, topic, methodology, marketing, etc.). To assure sustainable success three parameters are essential: professionalism, reliability and exclusiveness

Improving Dental Experiences by Using Virtual Reality Distraction: A Simulation Study

Dental anxiety creates significant problems for both patients and the dental profession. Some distraction interventions are already used by healthcare professionals to help patients cope with unpleasant procedures. The present study is novel because it a) builds on evidence that natural scenery is beneficial for patients, and b) uses a Virtual Reality (VR) representation of nature to distract participants. Extending previous work that has investigated pain and anxiety during treatment, c) we also consider the longer term effects in terms of more positive memories of the treatment, building on a cognitive theory of memory (Elaborated Intrusions). Participants (n = 69) took part in a simulated dental experience and were randomly assigned to one of three VR conditions (active vs. passive vs. control). In addition, participants were distinguished into high and low dentally anxious according to a median split resulting in a 362 between-subjects design. VR distraction in a simulated dental context affected memories a week later. The VR distraction had effects not only on concurrent experiences, such as perceived control, but longitudinally upon the vividness of memories after the dental experience had ended. Participants with higher dental anxiety (for whom the dental procedures were presumably more aversive) showed a greater reduction in memory vividness than lower dental-anxiety participants. This study thus suggests that VR distractions can be considered as a relevant intervention for cycles of care in which people’s previous experiences affect their behaviour for future events

Ward housekeepers in healthcare: An exploratory review of the role of the ward housekeeper

The aim of this study was to review the ward housekeeper role, specifically focusing on the impact since the national implementation as a result of the NHS Plan (Department of Health, 2000). The housekeeper role is a ward-based non-clinical multi-skilled position. The ward housekeeper focuses on ensuring the cleaning, food service and maintenance are delivered to appropriate standards in order to make the care environment suitable for the patient (NHS Estates, 2001a). The study was divided into two parts: An initial investigative phase presented in a series of 13 case studies. A second evaluative phase looking at a longitudinal impact of the role presented in two case studies. As a phenomenological piece of work, the primary methodology employed was a case study design based on the holistic multiple case with single units of analysis (Yin, 2009) i.e. different NHS Trusts that had implemented the new ward housekeeper role. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used as the principal method of data collection. Several themes arose from the first set of case studies relating to the Trust's experiences of implementing the ward housekeeping service. The main themes related to six areas that were: Role; Recruitment; Induction; Training; Integration (into the ward team) and Management. The evaluative case studies revisited the themes and found them to still be appropriate. In addition the later case studies also discussed the following: The impact of the Modern Matron role; Importance of auditing; Shift in emphasis from catering to cleaning; A developing tension between FM and ward staff; Lack of National support and co-ordination (for NHS Trusts implementing and managing housekeepers) and Value to patients and contribution to patient care. The significance of this study emerges through the advancement of methodology within the context of facilities in healthcare and through the contribution to knowledge and practice by way of suggesting two original models: 1. FM department and ward team involvement in ward housekeeper services: a proposed model (Model A). 2. Emotional and function based housekeeper concerns (Model B

Can virtual nature improve patient experiences and memories of dental treatment? A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Dental anxiety and anxiety-related avoidance of dental care create significant problems for patients and the dental profession. Distraction interventions are used in daily medical practice to help patients cope with unpleasant procedures. There is evidence that exposure to natural scenery is beneficial for patients and that the use of virtual reality (VR) distraction is more effective than other distraction interventions, such as watching television. The main aim of this randomized controlled trial is to determine whether the use of VR during dental treatment can improve the overall dental experience and recollections of treatment for patients, breaking the negative cycle of memories of anxiety leading to further anxiety, and avoidance of future dental appointments. Additionally, the aim is to test whether VR benefits dental patients with all levels of dental anxiety or whether it could be especially beneficial for patients suffering from higher levels of dental anxiety. The third aim is to test whether the content of the VR distraction can make a difference for its effectiveness by comparing two types of virtual environments, a natural environment and an urban environment. Methods/design The effectiveness of VR distraction will be examined in patients 18 years or older who are scheduled to undergo dental treatment for fillings and/or extractions, with a maximum length of 30 minutes. Patients will be randomly allocated into one of three groups. The first group will be exposed to a VR of a natural environment. The second group will be exposed to a VR of an urban environment. A third group consists of patients who receive standard care (control group). Primary outcomes relate to patients’ memories of the dental treatment one week after treatment: (a) remembered pain, (b) intrusive thoughts and (c) vividness of memories. Other measures of interest are the dental experience, the treatment experience and the VR experience. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN4144280

Rotator cuff disease in humans and apes: a palaeopathological and evolutionary perspective on shoulder pathology

Humans are unique amongst the hominoids in having evolved habitual bipedalism. The upper limb has been freed from a locomotor role and has become specialised to perfoming manipulatory tasks. The shoulders of humans and other hominoids are morphologically similar, although the human shoulder includes specialisations representing adaptation to use of the upper limb below the shoulder. The human shoulder joint is susceptible to degenerative joint disease (DJD), most commonly taking the form of rotator cuff disease (RCD). Mention of RCD is extremely rare in the palaeopathological record, and does not represent the spectrum of disease recognised clinically; RCD is entirely absent from literature on non-human primate pathology. Palaeopathology and comparative primate pathology have the potential to provide perspective on DJD in modem humans, as well as providing insight into the relationship between fonn and function.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Cátedra Tecnología, Paz y Desarrollo Conferencia pronunciada el 5 de abril de 2011 Sede Central, Cartago Ética y medio ambiente

La catástrofe nuclear que está viviendo Japón, y sus implicaciones ambientales más allá de las fronteras geográficas de ese país, nuevamente demuestran la fragilidad de la vida—no solamente humana—y, sobre todo, como la tecnología, que supuestamente tiene el propósito de beneficiar a la humanidad, se convierte en instrumento que destruye la vida. Desde hace tiempo cada vez más estamos tomando consciencia de un deterioro constante del medio ambiente, deterioro que claramente afecta las posibilidades plenas del desenvolvimiento de la vida misma

An examination of chemistry and transport processes in the tropical lower stratosphere using observations of long-lived and short-lived compounds obtained during STRAT and POLARIS

A suite of compounds with a wide range of photochemical lifetimes (3 months to several decades) was measured in the tropical and midlatitude upper troposphere and lower stratosphere during the Stratospheric Tracers of Atmospheric Transport (STRAT) experiment (fall 1995 and winter, summer, and fall 1996) and the Photochemistry of Ozone Loss in the Arctic Region in Summer (POLARIS) deployment in late summer 1997. These species include various chlorofluorocarbons, hydrocarbons, halocarbons, and halons measured in whole air samples and CO measured in situ by tunable diode laser spectroscopy. Mixing ratio profiles of long-lived species in the tropical lower stratosphere are examined using a one-dimensional (1-D) photochemical model that includes entrainment from the extratropical stratosphere and is constrained by measured concentrations of OH. Profiles of tracers found using the 1-D model agree well with all the observed tropical profiles for an entrainment time scale of 8.5-4+6 months, independent of altitude between potential temperatures of 370 and 500 K. The tropical profile of CO is used to show that the annually averaged ascent rate profile, on the basis of a set of radiative heating calculations, is accurate to approximately ±44%, a smaller uncertainty than found by considering the uncertainties in the radiative model and its inputs. Tropical profiles of ethane and C2Cl4 reveal that the concentration of Cl is higher than expected on the basis of photochemical model simulations using standard gas phase kinetics and established relationships between total inorganic chlorine and CFC-11. Our observations suggest that short-lived organic chlorinated compounds and HCl carried across the tropical tropopause may provide an important source of inorganic chlorine to the tropical lower stratosphere that has been largely unappreciated in previous studies. The entrainment timescale found here is considerably less than the value found by a similar study that focused on observations obtained in the lower stratosphere during 1994. Several possible explanations for this difference are discussed. Copyright 1999 by the American Geophysical Union

Muscle Dysmorphia and the Effects of Emotion Regulation and Fitness Media

Research on Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) has identified various cognitive and behavioral variables related to other psychopathology (i.e., eating disorders, additive disorders) associated with increased levels of impulsivity, compulsivity, and difficulty regulating emotions. PURPOSE: The aim of the current study was to investigate the degree to which emotional dysregulation (EDys), through the mediating effects of compulsivity and impulsivity, influence one’s risk towards MD symptomatology. Due to recent findings relating social media and negative regulatory associations, exploratory analyses assessed the effect of ‘fitspiration’ content on the model. METHODS: Using MTurk with a Qualtrics survey, 129 adults (aged 23-69 years) completed a background questionnaire, the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale – Short English Version, and the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale – Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. For mediation analyses, PROCESS Model 4 was used in SPSS, and Model 59 was used to assess if ‘fitspiration’ exposure moderated any of the paths. RESULTS: Higher EDys was related to higher impulsivity (a1 = 0.21; 95% CI [0.15, 0.28]) and compulsivity (a2 = 0.39; 95% CI [0.31, 0.48]). Higher compulsivity was associated with increased MDDI scores (b2 = 0.32; 95% CI [0.12, 0.53]), while impulsivity was not (b1 = 0.01; 95% CI [-0.29, 0.29]). A direct effect was found for both models (c1’ = 0.68; 95% CI [-0.56, 0.81]; c2’ = 0.55; 95% CI [0.42, 0.69]); only compulsivity mediated this effect (a2 x b2 = 0.13; 95% CI [0.04, 0.23]). ‘Fitspiration’ exposure did not moderate this model (aint = -0.08; 95% CI [-0.22, 0.06]; bint = 0.50; 95% CI [-0.22, 1.23]; cint = -0.23; 95% CI [-0.64, 0.19]). CONCLUSION: Compulsivity significantly mediated the relationship between EDys and MD symptomatology, implying higher scores of EDys were associated with greater compulsivity, and increased compulsive scores were associated with more MD-related cognitions and behaviors. While related to EDys, impulsivity was not associated with dysmorphic symptoms. Exploratory analyses found ‘Fitspiration’ content exposure did not significantly moderate the model utilizing compulsivity as a mediating variable