Agglutinated foraminifera from the Turonian–Coniacian boundary interval in Europe – paleoenvironmental remarks and stratigraphy

Agglutinated foraminiferal assemblages of the Turonian–Coniacian from the GSSP (Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point) of Salzgitter–Salder (Subhercynian Cretaceous Basin, Germany) and other sections, including Bielefeld–Ostwestfalendamm (Münsterland Cretaceous Basin, Germany) and the Dover–Langdon Stairs (Anglo-Paris Basin, England), from the temperate European shelf realm were studied in order to collect additional stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental information. Stable carbon isotopes were measured for the Bielefeld–Ostwestfalendamm section to establish a reliable stratigraphic correlation with other sections. Highly diverse agglutinated foraminiferal assemblages were obtained from sections in the German basins, whereas the fauna from Dover is less rich in taxa and less abundant. In the German basinal sections, a morphogroup analysis of agglutinated foraminifera and the calculated diversities imply normal marine settings and oligotrophic to mesotrophic bottom-water conditions. Furthermore, acmes of agglutinated foraminifera correlate between different sections and can be used for paleoenvironmental analysis. Three acmes of the species Ammolagena contorta are recorded for the Turonian–Coniacian (perplexus to lower striatoconcentricus zones, lower scupini Zone, and hannovrensis Zone) and likely imply a shift to more oligotrophic bottom-water conditions. In the upper scupini Zone below the Turonian–Coniacian boundary, an acme of Bulbobaculites problematicus likely indicates enhanced nutrient availability. In general, agglutinated foraminiferal morphogroups display a gradual shift from Turonian oligotrophic environments towards more mesotrophic conditions in the latest Turonian and Coniacian

Herbal therapies used by hypertensive patients in Turkey

The purpose of this study was to determine herbal therapies used by the patients for regulation of blood pressure. This descriptive study was conducted in three districts of Izmir, Turkey. The study group included 193 patients with hypertension diagnosis who admitted to a primary care center and accepted to participate in the study. Data were collected through aninvestigator-made questionnaire including questions about socio-demographic features and herbal therapies used for regulation of blood pressure. Percentiles and chi–square statistics tests were used to evaluate the data through SPSS 11.0 program. The subjects included in the study had suffered from hypertension for 8.28+7.92 years, and 95.9% of them received medication to treat their hypertension. Of all hypertensive patients, 51.3% used herbal therapies for the treatment of hypertension. The patients used herbal therapies most commonly when they felt ill. There were no statistically significant difference between the use of herbal therapies and gender, education, marital status, having health insurance and income level. Health professionals who provide primary health services, especially nurses, need to follow patients regularly andprovide patient education on antihypertensive therapy. Nurses must plan the necessary training programs by evaluating the data about, whether the hypertension patients use herbal therapies that can affect their health negatively or not

Pattern of antimicrobial consumption in a University Hospital between 2000 and 2006

O objetivo desse estudo foi descrever quantitativamente o padrão de consumo de antimicrobianos em um Hospital Universitário no período de 2000 a 2006. A metodologia usada seguiu o modelo de estudo descritivo, com coleta de dados retrospectiva, sendo os resultados expressos em Dose Diária Definida/ 100 leitos/dia. A análise das tendências de variação no consumo dos antimicrobianos foi realizada por regressão linear simples. Os resultados mostraram um aumento de 50% no consumo global dos antimicrobianos, passando de 64,3 Dose Diária Definida/100 leitos/dia, em 2000, para 96,8 Dose Diária Definida/100 leitos/dia, em 2006, correspondendo a uma média de 70,58 Dose Diária Definida/100 leitos/dia no período. Os antimicrobianos mais consumidos corresponderam à classe das penicilinas (30,8%), seguidas por cefalosporinas (25,5%) e quinolonas (11,3%). A análise por regressão linear mostrou um grupo de 12 fármacos com tendência a aumento no uso, e um outro grupo de 12 agentes com tendência à redução de uso.The objective of this study was to quantitatively describe the pattern of use of antimicrobials in a University Hospital between 2000 and 2006. The methodology used for the research followed a descriptive study model, with retrospective data collection where results were expressed in Defined Daily Dose/100 bed-day. The analysis in trend variation in the use of antimicrobials was done through a simple linear regression. Results showed a 50% increase in the general use of antimicrobials, from 64.3 Defined Daily Dose/ 100 bed-day in 2000 to 96.8 Defined Daily Dose /100 bed-day in 2006, corresponding to an average of 70.58 Defined Daily Dose /100 bed-day during the period. The most used types of antimicrobials belonged to the penicillin class (30.8%), followed by cephalosporins (25.5%) and quinolones (11.3%).The linear regression analysis indicated a group of 12 drugs for which there was a tendency to increased use and another group of 12 agents where there was tendency to decreased use.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Pattern of antimicrobial consumption in a University Hospital between 2000 and 2006

O objetivo desse estudo foi descrever quantitativamente o padrão de consumo de antimicrobianos em um Hospital Universitário no período de 2000 a 2006. A metodologia usada seguiu o modelo de estudo descritivo, com coleta de dados retrospectiva, sendo os resultados expressos em Dose Diária Definida/ 100 leitos/dia. A análise das tendências de variação no consumo dos antimicrobianos foi realizada por regressão linear simples. Os resultados mostraram um aumento de 50% no consumo global dos antimicrobianos, passando de 64,3 Dose Diária Definida/100 leitos/dia, em 2000, para 96,8 Dose Diária Definida/100 leitos/dia, em 2006, correspondendo a uma média de 70,58 Dose Diária Definida/100 leitos/dia no período. Os antimicrobianos mais consumidos corresponderam à classe das penicilinas (30,8%), seguidas por cefalosporinas (25,5%) e quinolonas (11,3%). A análise por regressão linear mostrou um grupo de 12 fármacos com tendência a aumento no uso, e um outro grupo de 12 agentes com tendência à redução de uso.The objective of this study was to quantitatively describe the pattern of use of antimicrobials in a University Hospital between 2000 and 2006. The methodology used for the research followed a descriptive study model, with retrospective data collection where results were expressed in Defined Daily Dose/100 bed-day. The analysis in trend variation in the use of antimicrobials was done through a simple linear regression. Results showed a 50% increase in the general use of antimicrobials, from 64.3 Defined Daily Dose/ 100 bed-day in 2000 to 96.8 Defined Daily Dose /100 bed-day in 2006, corresponding to an average of 70.58 Defined Daily Dose /100 bed-day during the period. The most used types of antimicrobials belonged to the penicillin class (30.8%), followed by cephalosporins (25.5%) and quinolones (11.3%).The linear regression analysis indicated a group of 12 drugs for which there was a tendency to increased use and another group of 12 agents where there was tendency to decreased use.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Pattern of antimicrobial consumption in a University Hospital between 2000 and 2006

O objetivo desse estudo foi descrever quantitativamente o padrão de consumo de antimicrobianos em um Hospital Universitário no período de 2000 a 2006. A metodologia usada seguiu o modelo de estudo descritivo, com coleta de dados retrospectiva, sendo os resultados expressos em Dose Diária Definida/ 100 leitos/dia. A análise das tendências de variação no consumo dos antimicrobianos foi realizada por regressão linear simples. Os resultados mostraram um aumento de 50% no consumo global dos antimicrobianos, passando de 64,3 Dose Diária Definida/100 leitos/dia, em 2000, para 96,8 Dose Diária Definida/100 leitos/dia, em 2006, correspondendo a uma média de 70,58 Dose Diária Definida/100 leitos/dia no período. Os antimicrobianos mais consumidos corresponderam à classe das penicilinas (30,8%), seguidas por cefalosporinas (25,5%) e quinolonas (11,3%). A análise por regressão linear mostrou um grupo de 12 fármacos com tendência a aumento no uso, e um outro grupo de 12 agentes com tendência à redução de uso.The objective of this study was to quantitatively describe the pattern of use of antimicrobials in a University Hospital between 2000 and 2006. The methodology used for the research followed a descriptive study model, with retrospective data collection where results were expressed in Defined Daily Dose/100 bed-day. The analysis in trend variation in the use of antimicrobials was done through a simple linear regression. Results showed a 50% increase in the general use of antimicrobials, from 64.3 Defined Daily Dose/ 100 bed-day in 2000 to 96.8 Defined Daily Dose /100 bed-day in 2006, corresponding to an average of 70.58 Defined Daily Dose /100 bed-day during the period. The most used types of antimicrobials belonged to the penicillin class (30.8%), followed by cephalosporins (25.5%) and quinolones (11.3%).The linear regression analysis indicated a group of 12 drugs for which there was a tendency to increased use and another group of 12 agents where there was tendency to decreased use.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Manage at Work: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of a Self-Management Group Intervention to Overcome Workplace Challenges Associated with Chronic Physical Health Conditions

Background: The percentage of older and chronically ill workers is increasing rapidly in the US and in many other countries, but few interventions are available to help employees overcome the workplace challenges of chronic pain and other physical health conditions. While most workers are eligible for job accommodation and disability compensation benefits, other workplace strategies might improve individual-level coping and problem solving to prevent work disability. In this study, we hypothesize that an employer-sponsored group intervention program employing self-management principles may improve worker engagement and reduce functional limitation associated with chronic disorders. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), workers participating in an employer-sponsored self-management group intervention will be compared with a no-treatment (wait list) control condition. Volunteer employees (n = 300) will be recruited from five participating employers and randomly assigned to intervention or control. Participants in the intervention arm will attend facilitated group workshop sessions at work (10 hours total) to explore methods for improving comfort, adjusting work habits, communicating needs effectively, applying systematic problem solving, and dealing with negative thoughts and emotions about work. Work engagement and work limitation are the principal outcomes. Secondary outcomes include fatigue, job satisfaction, self-efficacy, turnover intention, sickness absence, and health care utilization. Measurements will be taken at baseline, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. A process evaluation will be performed alongside the randomized trial. Discussion: This study will be most relevant for organizations and occupational settings where some degree of job flexibility, leeway, and decision-making autonomy can be afforded to affected workers. The study design will provide initial assessment of a novel workplace approach and to understand factors affecting its feasibility and effectiveness

Sustaining work participation across the life course

Introduction Many disability prevention strategies are focused on acute injuries and brief illness episodes, but there will be growing challenges for employers to manage circumstances of recurrent, chronic, or fluctuating symptoms in an aging workforce. The goal of this article is to summarize existing peer-review research in this area, compare this with employer discourse in the grey literature, and recommend future research priorities. Methods The authors participated in a year-long sponsored collaboration that ultimately led to an invited 3-day conference, “Improving Research of Employer Practices to Prevent Disability”, held October 14–16, 2015, in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, USA. The collaboration included a topical review of the scientific and industry literature, group discussion to identify key areas and challenges, drafting of initial documents, and feedback from peer researchers and a special panel of experts with employer experience. Results Cancer and mental illness were chosen as examples of chronic or recurring conditions that might challenge conventional workplace return-to-work practices. Workplace problems identified in the literature included fatigue, emotional exhaustion, poor supervisor and co-worker support, stigma, discrimination, and difficulties finding appropriate accommodations. Workplace intervention research is generally lacking, but there is preliminary support for improving workplace self-management strategies, collaborative problem-solving, and providing checklists and other tools for job accommodation, ideas echoed in the literature directed toward employers. Research might be improved by following workers from an earlier stage of developing workplace concerns. Conclusions Future research of work disability should focus on earlier identification of at-risk workers with chronic conditions, the use of more innovative and flexible accommodation strategies matched to specific functional losses, stronger integration of the workplace into on-going rehabilitation efforts, and a better understanding of stigma and other social factors at work

Agglutinated foraminifera from the Turonian–Coniacian boundary interval in Europe – paleoenvironmental remarks and stratigraphy

Agglutinated foraminiferal assemblages of the Turonian–Coniacian from the GSSP (Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point) of Salzgitter–Salder (Subhercynian Cretaceous Basin, Germany) and other sections, including Bielefeld–Ostwestfalendamm (Münsterland Cretaceous Basin, Germany) and the Dover–Langdon Stairs (Anglo-Paris Basin, England), from the temperate European shelf realm were studied in order to collect additional stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental information. Stable carbon isotopes were measured for the Bielefeld–Ostwestfalendamm section to establish a reliable stratigraphic correlation with other sections. Highly diverse agglutinated foraminiferal assemblages were obtained from sections in the German basins, whereas the fauna from Dover is less rich in taxa and less abundant. In the German basinal sections, a morphogroup analysis of agglutinated foraminifera and the calculated diversities imply normal marine settings and oligotrophic to mesotrophic bottom-water conditions. Furthermore, acmes of agglutinated foraminifera correlate between different sections and can be used for paleoenvironmental analysis. Three acmes of the species Ammolagena contorta are recorded for the Turonian–Coniacian (perplexus to lower striatoconcentricus zones, lower scupini Zone, and hannovrensis Zone) and likely imply a shift to more oligotrophic bottom-water conditions. In the upper scupini Zone below the Turonian–Coniacian boundary, an acme of Bulbobaculites problematicus likely indicates enhanced nutrient availability. In general, agglutinated foraminiferal morphogroups display a gradual shift from Turonian oligotrophic environments towards more mesotrophic conditions in the latest Turonian and Coniacian.</p

Increasing Dominance - the Role of Advertising, Pricing and Product Design

Despite the empirical relevance of advertising strategies in concentrated markets, the economics literature is largely silent on the effect of persuasive advertising strategies on pricing, market structure and increasing (or decreasing) dominance. In a simple model of persuasive advertising and pricing with differentiated goods, we analyze the interdependencies between ex-ante asymmetries in consumer appeal, advertising and prices. Products with larger initial appeal to consumers will be advertised more heavily but priced at a higher level - that is, advertising and price discounts are strategic substitutes for products with asymmetric initial appeal. We find that the escalating effect of advertising dominates the moderating effect of pricing so that post-competition market shares are more asymmetric than pre-competition differences in consumer appeal. We further find that collusive advertising (but competitive pricing) generates the same market outcomes, and that network effects lead to even more extreme market outcomes, both directly and via the effect on advertising