The case for a smokers' licence.

The history of tobacco control has seen the introduction of policies initially considered radical, but which rapidly came to be considered normal and essential to the goals of reducing use and the burden of disease that tobacco causes. No other consumer product is subject to total advertising bans. None are required to be sold in plain packaging, as will be the case in Australia from December 2012. Again uniquely, 47 nations now require large graphic warnings on tobacco packaging. Smokefree public transport, workplaces, restaurants, bars, and stadiums are now the rule rather than the exception in an increasingly large number of nations. The legally binding World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which requires such measures has been ratified by 174 nations. Despite these developments, the sale of tobacco and cigarettes is subject to trivial controls compared with other dangerous products that threaten either public or personal health or safety. In this paper, I outline a proposal for a major new development with potential to reduce tobacco use: the smokers’ license, and consider its likely benefits and the main objections

Symptoms, Diseases and Aberrant Behaviours Attributed to Wind Turbine Exposure

Dissertação de mestrado em Medicina (Patologia Experimental), apresentada à Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra.Os implantes dentários são atualmente uma opção terapêutica amplamente utilizada na substituição de dentes perdidos, devido ao seu excelente prognóstico e longevidade. A investigação tem demonstrado que uma das primeiras causas que impedem a osteointegração de um implante é os micromovimentos excessivos entre a superfície do implante e o osso peri-implantar. Contudo, micromovimentos dentro de níveis controlados influenciam positivamente a formação de osso na superfície de um implante. Até à data, não existe nenhum método clínico disponível para medir micromovimentos. O principal objetivo deste trabalho é o de validar o método de correlação de imagem como método alternativo para avaliar a reabilitação protética com implantes dentários. O processo de validação inclui medições em dois modelos experimentais e num ensaio clínico. Secundariamente, este projeto pretendeu contribuir para compreender quais os fatores que influenciam a ocorrência de micromovimentos, particularmente se a alteração da geometria dos pilares protéticos de “Standard” (SD) para “Platform-Switching ” (PS) influenciou no grau de micromovimentos. O primeiro modelo experimental consistiu na medição de micromovimentos num ensaio piloto in vitro com um modelo laboratorial de “viga simplesmente apoiada”, solicitada por uma carga concentrada aproximadamente a meio vão. As medições foram executadas apenas na direção vertical por CID 3D, com o sistema Vic-3D 2010 (Correlated Solutions®, Columbia, USA), para aferir a técnica. Considerou-se admissível um erro da ordem de 10%. Posteriormente utilizou-se o Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF), para simular o ensaio e calcular o deslocamento esperado. Em simultâneo, os resultados obtidos foram comparados com a solução analítica. Os resultados permitiram concluir que o sistema de correlação de imagem Vic-3D pode ser utilizado como método alternativo para avaliar experimentalmente o deslocamento de estruturas tipo viga. O segundo modelo experimental consistiu num modelo animal ex vivo com mandíbulas de porco frescas isoladas onde foram colocados 30 implantes endósseos e pilares de cicatrização (SD e PS, n=15 para cada grupo). Sobre estes exerceu-se uma carga compressiva vertical de 100N. A medição dos micromovimentos efetuou-se pelo programa Vic-3D 2010. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com os valores de ISQ (Implant Stability Quotient) do sistema de AFR (Osstell® ISQ, IntegrationDiagnostic, Suécia) obtidos previamente. Pelos resultados, verificou-se uma correlação entre a mobilidade medida por CID 3D e os valores de ISQ, mas apenas na direção mésio-distal (U). O ensaio clínico consistiu na medição dos micromovimentos de 32 implantes endósseos, inseridos em pacientes reabilitados com dois ou mais implantes adjacentes na região posterior da mandíbula e com dois pilares protéticos diferentes, PS e SD [n(SD)=18 e n(PS)=14]. As medições foram executadas por CID 3D, após a aplicação de uma carga oclusal mínima de 30N, aferida através de uma célula de carga (Applied Measurements Ltd., Berkshire, UK) e do sistema de design de software LabVIEW 2010 (National Instruments®, Texas, USA). Pelos resultados, verificou-se uma correlação entre a mobilidade medida por CID 3D e os valores de ISQ. Dentro das limitações deste estudo, o método de CID 3D parece ser capaz de medir os micromovimentos de implantes dentários. Os resultados parecem estar correlacionados com os valores de AFR.Dental implants are now a widely used treatment option in replacing missing teeth due to its excellent prognosis and longevity. Research has shown that one of the major causes that prevent osseointegration of an implant is excessive micromovements between the implant surface and the peri-implant bone. However, micromotion at controlled levels positively influences the formation of bone at an implant surface. To date, there is no clinically available method for measuring micromovements. The main objective of this work is to validate the method of image correlation as an alternative method to assess the prosthetic rehabilitation with dental implants. The validation process includes measurements in two experimental models and in clinical trials. Secondly, this project aimed to contribute to understanding the factors that influence the occurrence of micro-movements, particularly if the change in the geometry of the abutments of Standard (SD) for "Platform-Switching" (PS) influenced the degree of micromovements. The first trial consists in the measurement of micromotion in a pivotal trial in vitro with a laboratory model of "simply supported beam", requested by a concentrated load approximately half will. The measurements were performed only in the vertical direction by 3D DIC, with the Vic-3D 2010 system (Correlated Solutions®, Columbia, USA), to assess the technique. It is considered allowable error of the order of 10%. Subsequently, we used the Finite Element Method (FEM) to simulate the assay and calculate the expected displacement. At the same time, the results obtained were compared with analytical solution. The results showed that the correlation system image Vic-3D can be used as an alternative method to evaluate experimentally the displacement of beam type structures. The second trial consists in an animal model with ex vivo porcine fresh isolated mandibles which were placed 30 endosseous implants and healing abutments (PS and SD, n = 15 for each group). Exerted on these was a vertical compressive load of 100N. Micromovements measurements were made by the program Vic-3D 2010. The results were compared with the ISQ (Implant Stability Quotient) values of the RFA (Osstell® ISQ IntegrationDiagnostic, Sweden) system, previously obtained. The results showed a correlation between mobility measured by 3D DIC and ISQ values, but only in the mesiodistal direction (U). The third trial consisted in measuring the micro motion of 32 endosseous implants inserted in rehabilitated patients with two or more adjacent implants in the posterior jaw, and with two abutments different PS and SD [N (SD) = 18 n (PS) = 14]. The measurements were performed by CID 3D after application of at least 30N occlusal load as measured by a load cell (Applied Measurements Ltd., Berkshire, UK) and software design 2010 LabVIEW (National Instruments®, Texas, USA). The results showed a correlation between mobility measured by 3D CID and the RFA values of ISQ. Within the limitations of this study, 3D DIC method seems to be able of measuring dental implants micro movements. The results appear to be correlated with the ISQ values of AFR.Estudo cofinanciado pela Fundação Para A Ciência e Tecnologia via Projeto PTDC/SAL-BEB/108658/2008 e pela F.E.D.E.R. via “Programa Operacional Fatores e Competitividade” do QREN com a referência COMPETE: FCOMP-01-0124-F.E.D.E.R.-01096

Reviewer refusal rates for 300,866 requested reviews in 20 BMJ Group journals

Data were extracted from the BenchPress editorial management system for 20 journals which each had data for the years 2002-2010.We examined whether there were differences among journals on reviewer refusal rates. Across all journals, nearly one in three requests to review were declined (range 21.2-39.8)

Analysing Mindset Theory and Strategies Supporting the Implementation of Real PE to Develop a Growth Mindset Culture

Growth mindset continues to be a popular topic of conversation in the field of education and Physical Education (PE). However, despite the existence of various schemes for delivering curriculum PE, there are limited studies analysing how they seek to directly develop children’s mindsets. This study analyses the process taken for one of these frameworks, Real PE, to be implemented within a school to develop their growth mindset culture, drawing upon the theories of key educational thinkers. The study is based upon the authors’ experiences as PE Subject Leader and member of the school Senior Leadership Team (SLT) within a single-form entry primary school in Leicestershire, United Kingdom; testimonials from other schools who utilise Real PE and existing literature on the effectiveness of growth mindset.Implementing a growth mindset culture is not straightforward; although important, it is not solely about intelligence and praising effort, nor a battle of fixed versus growth mindsets as within PE, mixed mindsets exist, and, the fixed mindset should be legitimised. Therefore, a long-term, rigorous approach to change considering policies, individual beliefs, training needs, strategies and feedback methods needs to be developed. This study adds to the growing conversation about growth mindset and seeks to support other school settings considering embedding mindset culture within their school setting and PE provision

Factoid Forensics: Have “more than 40” Australian families abandoned their homes because of wind farm noise?

Background Anti wind farm activists repeatedly claim that families said to be adversely affected by noise from wind turbines “abandon” their homes. In Australia, a claim of “more than 40 families” has been made by a prominent anti wind farm activist. Methods Six sources (parliamentary submissions, media reports, an anti wind farm website, wind industry sources, correspondence with known anti wind farm activists, and with three politicians opposed to wind farms) were used to find evidence of home “abandonments”. Results Claims about 12 Australian households permanently (n=10) or periodically (n=2) leaving their homes were found. However, no house appears to have been permanently “abandoned” without sale, as the expression implies. These 12 cases need contextualizing against considerations that several of those involved were either dedicated activists against wind farms from times sometimes pre-dating their construction, were engaged in protracted negotiations for home purchase with wind companies, had pre-existing health problems, grievances with the wind company over employment or had left the area for unrelated reasons of employment elsewhere. Conclusions The statement that “more than 40” houses have been “abandoned” because of wind turbines in Australia is a factoid promoted by wind farm opponents for dramatic, rhetorical impact. Other considerations are often involved in abandonment unrelated to the claims made about wind farm noise