Web‐based Weight Management Programs in an Integrated Health Care Setting: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Objective : To assess the efficacy of a Web‐based tailored behavioral weight management program compared with Web‐based information‐only weight management materials. Research Methods and Procedures : Participants, 2862 eligible overweight and obese (BMI = 27 to 40 kg/m 2 ) members from four regions of Kaiser Permanente's integrated health care delivery system, were randomized to receive either a tailored expert system or information‐only Web‐based weight management materials. Weight change and program satisfaction were assessed by self‐report through an Internet‐based survey at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up periods. Results : Significantly greater weight loss at follow‐up was found among participants assigned to the tailored expert system than among those assigned to the information‐only condition. Subjects in the tailored expert system lost a mean of 3 ± 0.3% of their baseline weight, whereas subjects in the information‐only condition lost a mean of 1.2 ± 0.4% ( p < 0.0004). Participants were also more likely to report that the tailored expert system was personally relevant, helpful, and easy to understand. Notably, 36% of enrollees were African‐American, with enrollment rates higher than the general proportion of African Americans in any of the study regions. Discussion : The results of this large, randomized control trial show the potential benefit of the Web‐based tailored expert system for weight management compared with a Web‐based information‐only weight management program.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/93691/1/oby.2006.34.pd

Coordinate and redox interactions of epinephrine with ferric and ferrous iron at physiological pH

Coordinate and redox interactions of epinephrine (Epi) with iron at physiological pH are essential for understanding two very different phenomena - the detrimental effects of chronic stress on the cardiovascular system and the cross-linking of catecholamine-rich biopolymers and frameworks. Here we show that Epi and Fe3+ form stable high-spin complexes in the 1:1 or 3:1 stoichiometry, depending on the Epi/Fe3+ concentration ratio (low or high). Oxygen atoms on the catechol ring represent the sites of coordinate bond formation within physiologically relevant bidentate 1:1 complex. Redox properties of Epi are slightly impacted by Fe3+. On the other hand, Epi and Fe2+ form a complex that acts as a strong reducing agent, which leads to the production of hydrogen peroxide via O-2 reduction, and to a facilitated formation of the Epi-Fe3+ complexes. Epi is not oxidized in this process, i.e. Fe2+ is not an electron shuttle, but the electron donor. Epi-catalyzed oxidation of Fe2+ represents a plausible chemical basis of stress-related damage to heart cells. In addition, our results support the previous findings on the interactions of catecholamine moieties in polymers with iron and provide a novel strategy for improving the efficiency of cross-linking.Supplementary material: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3040

Kleincomputer in der Bibliotheksarbeit: (Auskunft, Bibliogr., Erwerbung) ; Referate e. Fortbildungsveranst. d. Arbeitsgemeinschaft Bibliothekar. Verb. in Schleswig-Holstein in

Includes 7 articlesAvailable from Bibliothek des Instituts fuer Weltwirtschaft, ZBW, Duesternbrook Weg 120, D-24105 Kiel C 152800 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Coaching and guidance with patient decision aids : A review of theoretical and empirical evidence

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly citedCoaching and guidance are structured approaches that can be used within or alongside patient decision aids (PtDAs) to facilitate the process of decision making. Coaching is provided by an individual, and guidance is embedded within the decision support materials. The purpose of this paper is to: a) present updated definitions of the concepts “coaching” and “guidance”; b) present an updated summary of current theoretical and empirical insights into the roles played by coaching/guidance in the context of PtDAs; and c) highlight emerging issues and research opportunities in this aspect of PtDA designPeer reviewedFinal Published versio

Entwicklung von photovoltaischen Kompaktgeraeten und Kleinsystemen Abschlussbericht

Before the year 1996 the PV market experienced a constant but small growth. A reason for this was among other findings the lack of well tested and mature devices and/or small systems. In general the enterprises did not develop new products because of the high development risks and the uncertainty of the market. On the other hand the lack of sophisticated products had a negative impact on the market development. Against the background of this situation this research and development project started in the year 1997 with the particular aim to transfer technical know how to the innovative small and medium enterprises (SME) with their specific market knowledge. This was carried out by the joint development of PV products. With this approach the PV market should be positively affected and should develop a stable growth out of its own resources. During the project (01.10.1997-31.12.2002) eleven product developments together with SME were carried out. In addition to this ten basic studies were successfully accomplished. The scientific work resulted in five patent applications, two utility models, two trade marks and one registered design. In the USA one patent was given during the project. The joint development of PV products with industrial partners is at present the most effective way to reach a self-supporting PV market within short time. (orig.)In den Jahren bis 1996 erlebte der PV-Markt ein stetiges, jedoch geringes Wachstum. Ein Grund hierfuer lag u.a. in der mangelnden Verfuegbarkeit von erprobten und ausgereiften Geraeten bzw. Kleinsystemen. Von den Unternehmen war in der Regel keine Produktneuentwicklung zu erwarten, da der fuer das Unternehmen notwendige wirtschaftliche Erfolg auf Grund des hohen Entwicklungs-und Verkaufsrisiko nicht ausreichend gesichert erschien. Vor diesem Hintergrund entstand dieses Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprojekt im Jahre 1997, welches insbesondere den Wissenstransfer zu den innovativen kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen (KMU) mit seinen spezifischen Marktkenntnissen zum Ziel hatte. Die Methode bestand in der gemeinsamen Entwicklung von PV-Produkten mit kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen (KMU). Damit sollte der Photovoltaikmarkt nachhaltig dahingehend beeinflusst werden, dass dieser aus 'eigener Kraft' tragfaehig wird. Im Foerderzeitraum vom 01.10.1997-31.12.2002 wurden 11 Produktentwicklungen gemeinsam mit KMU durchgefuehrt und 10 Grundlagenuntersuchungen mit jeweiliger Anpassung an die finanziellen und personellen Gegebenheiten erfolgreich durchgefuehrt. Insgesamt wurden 5 Patentanmeldungen gestaetigt sowie fuer zwei Gebrauchsmuster, zwei Markenmuster und ein Geschmacksmuster Schutzrechte beansprucht. In den USA wurde bereits eine Patenterteilung ausgesprochen. Die gemeinsame Entwickung von photovoltaischen Produkten mit Industiepartnern ist derzeit die effektivste Methode, kurzfristig den Photovoltaikmarkt selbsttragend zu gestalten. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: F03B774 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Bildung und Forschung, Berlin (Germany)DEGerman