Still dreaming: service users' employment, education & training goals

Background: Enabling service users to find and keep real jobs is a significant strand of UK mental health policy. An evidence-based approach to employment support is well documented, but is not widely implemented in the UK. Aim: To inform the development of vocational services in South Essex by ascertaining service users' employment, education and training goals. Method: Face-to-face interviews with a randomly selected sample of service users on enhanced CPA carried out by a team of service user researchers using an adapted version of a questionnaire developed for a previous similar survey. A postal survey of a further randomly selected sample of service users on enhanced CPA using a brief version of the questionnaire was also carried out. Results: Interviews were carried out with 82 service users. A further 159 returned a postal questionnaire. 42.7% had no regular day time activity. Only 15% were in paid work. 60.6% were definitely interested in finding work. Seventy-seven percent of respondents to the interviews who were interested in work were not currently receiving support to achieve this. The main help wanted was support in work, help with mental health problems and benefits advice. The main barriers identified were employers' attitudes and threat to benefits. Service user researchers reported benefits from undertaking the work. Conclusions: High numbers of mental health service users are interested in pursuing employment, education or training goals but currently lack the support they need to do so. Implementation of an evidence-based approach to employment support has the potential to enable service users to achieve their goals. Service users are well able to undertake research with considerable benefits for themselves and other stakeholders

Prevalence of Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome and Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma in Upper Egypt

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pseudoexfoliation (PXF) is a recognized risk factor for developing cataract, glaucoma and lens dislocation. PXF is also associated with increased risk of complications during cataract surgery due to poor mydriasis and zonular weakness. The aim of this study is to report the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation among Upper Egyptians attending the ophthalmology clinic of Assiut University Hospital.</p> <p>Methodology</p> <p>A retrospective, chart review study conducted in the period from February 2002 to August 2009. A total of 7738 patients aged 40 years or older attending the general ophthalmic clinics were included in this study. A detailed evaluation including ophthalmic and general history, slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, gonioscopy and dilated eye examination were performed. Patients with pseudoexfoliative material on the anterior lens surface and ⁄ or the pupillary margin in either or both eyes were labeled as having PXF.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of the 7738 patients included, three hundred twenty (4.14%) subjects had PXF. Mean age of PXF group was 68.15 years (SD 8.16, range 40-92 years). PXF was bilateral in 82.2% of cases. It was significantly associated with cataract, glaucoma and hearing loss. Of the PXF patients, 65% had cataract, 30.3% had glaucoma and 8.1% had hearing loss.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Pseudoexfoliation appears to be a common disorder in older individuals in Upper Egypt.</p

STUDY OF mu e EVENTS PRODUCED IN ANTI-NEUTRINOS INTERACTIONS

A study is presented of μe events from an exposure of BEBC, filed with an heavy H2/Ne mixture, to a wide band antineutrino beam at the CERN SPS. The prompt μ+e- rate, based on the observation of 45 events with pμ>4 GeV/c and pe>0.8 GeV/c, is found to be 0.31±0.05±0.02%, in agreement with previous determinations made on much smaller statistics. The differential kinematical variables characterizing the events and the content of strange particles are as expected for the production of charmed hadrons which subsequently decay semi-leptonically. An upper limit of 2.0±10-4 at 90% C.L. is given for the production rate of prompt μ+e+ events. No evidence is found for a significant production of Beauty hadrons. © 1984 Springer-Verlag.0SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe