Lifestyle, harassment at work and self-assessed health of female flight attendants, nurses and teachers.

Health-related lifestyle, harassment at work, and self-assessed health of female flight attendants in comparison to that of female nurses and female primary school teachers were surveyed. A higher proportion of flight attendants than nurses or teachers were smokers, 26% vs. 15% and 17% respectively; and consumed alcohol at least once a week, 40% vs. 21% and 16%. Repeated sexual harassment at work was more common among the flight attendants, 31% vs. 8% and 4%; whereas bullying, physical violence and threats were less prevalent among the flight attendants (12%) than among nurses (19%). Flight attendants were on average somewhat taller, but weighed on average less, 63.8 kg vs. 72.4 kg and 72.7 kg respectively. Repeated exposure to sexual harassment, bullying, violence and threats was related to less physical and psychological well-being in all the groups. Teachers scored on average significantly lower than did the flight attendants on general health and physical well-being, while nurses did not

Inclusion of fish or fish oil in weight-loss diets for young adults: effects on blood lipids.

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links fieldOBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of fish (lean or oily) and fish oil consumption on blood lipid concentration during weight loss. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled 8-week trial of energy-restricted diet varying in fish and fish oil content. Subjects, 324 men and women, aged 20-40 years, body mass index 27.5-32.5 kg m(-2), from Iceland, Spain and Ireland, were randomized to one of four groups: (1) control (sunflower oil capsules, no seafood), (2) cod diet (3 x 150 g week(-1)), (3) salmon diet (3 x 150 g week(-1)), (4) fish oil (DHA/EPA capsules, no seafood). The macronutrient composition of the diets was similar between the groups and the capsule groups were single-blinded. MEASUREMENTS: Total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TG) and anthropometrics were measured at baseline and end point. RESULTS: The difference in logTG lowering between the control group and the cod diet, salmon diet and fish oil from baseline to end point was -0.036 (95% CI -0.079 to 0.006), -0.060 (-0.101 to -0.018) and -0.037 (-0.079 to 0.006), respectively. Reduction in TC was about 0.2 mmol l(-1) greater in the fish groups (cod and salmon) than in the control group, but only of borderline significance when adjusting for weight loss. HDL tended to decrease less in the diet groups consuming a significant amount of n-3 fatty acids (salmon and fish oil). CONCLUSION: Weight-loss diet including oily fish resulted in greater TG reduction than did a diet without fish or fish oil. Controlled trials using whole fish as a test meal are encouraged to be able to elucidate the role of different constituents of fish for human health

Learners and E-learning

The purpose of this qualitative inquiry is to analyze the literature on the topic of learner needs in distance learning from the perspective of the student. All research studies, surveys, and case studies were considered as long as they satisfied the following two conditions: a) they were published in a peer-reviewed professional journal and b) they reported on findings obtained from student feedback. Attention was given to those scholarly publications that reported on American community college students or undergraduate students’ feedback of their needs in e-learning. The theoretical foundation underlying the inquiry came from Malcolm Knowles’s (1977) Principles of Andragogy and the social constructivist theory. The examined research papers and studies confirm that Knowles’s principles of adult learning remain to be a valid theoretical approach in online environments as well. Finally, learner feedbacks point to the validity of the principles of social constructivist theory as the most likely approach to online learning

Identification of Bruton's tyrosine kinase as a therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a cytoplasmic protein found in all hematopoietic cell lineages except for T cells. BTK mediates signalling downstream of a number of receptors. Pharmacological targeting of BTK using ibrutinib (previously PCI-32765) has recently shown encouraging clinical activity in a range of lymphoid malignancies. This study reports for the first time that ibrutinib inhibits blast proliferation from human acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and that treatment with ibrutinib significantly augmented cytotoxic activities of standard AML chemotherapy cytarabine or daunorubicin. Here we describe that BTK is constitutively phosphorylated in the majority of AML samples tested, with BTK phosphorylation correlating highly with the cell's cytotoxic sensitivity towards ibrutinib. BTK targeted RNAi knock-down reduced colony forming capacity of primary AML blasts and proliferation of AML cell lines. We showed ibrutinib binds at nanomolar range to BTK. Furthermore, we also showed ibrutinib's anti-proliferative effects in AML are mediated via an inhibitory effect on downstream nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) survival pathways. Moreover, ibrutinib inhibited AML cell adhesion to bone marrow stroma. Furthermore, these effects of ibrutinib in AML were seen at comparable concentrations efficacious in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). These results provide a biologic rationale for clinical evaluation of BTK inhibition in AML patients

Biologically Inspired Large-Scale Simulation of Tree Growth

This thesis has explored solutions for large scale biologically inspired simulation of tree growth. From previous works a growth engine was adapted and implemented utilizing the parellization of graphics programming in order to simulate and visualize tree growth on a large scale. The implemented algorithm Incorporated three main biological aspects: a light evaluation method, a branch thickness estimate and a energy distribution formula. The implemented method was evaluated in terms of rendering and simulation time and it was measured, on relatively old hardware, to be able to handle simulation of up to eight million branches in a few milliseconds as well as rendering of up to fifty thousand branches within in reasonable frame rates for real time interactive applications. With improvements in terms of performance and rendering, as well as further investigation of biological features to incorporate, the method could arguably be developed into a system capable of simulating and visualizing tree growth on a large scale, with potential use cases in video games and other interactive real time application

Bitcoin: Bauble or Bullion?

The purpose of this paper is to examine in what ways capital-B Bitcoin, the system, and lower-b bitcoin, the unit of account, are or are not money. Bitcoin is the largest, by market capitalization, financial asset labeled cryptocurrency and the first decentralized digital currency. The paper canvasses the academic, business and technical literature to scrutinize the validity of this neologism\u27s implied equivalency to money as a concept, system and artifact from historical, economic, political, teleological, theoretical and functional perspectives. The author(s) of Bitcoin invented blockchain, that is a shared, decentralized, time stamped, public ledger, to solve the problem of double spending. The risk of fraud, paying several counterparties with the same coin, was an intractable limitation on digital cash replacing paper money. The addition of blockchain to proof of work and advanced cryptography was a major advance in electronic cash systems. The combination of other features with this innovation, in particular a programmed steady growth and overall limit on supply, created in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies that followed a potential challenger to fiat currencies. This paper tests Bitcoin\u27s progress and prospects in credibly replacing sovereign currencies in theory and in practice. Our conclusion is that the replacement of fiat currencies by cryptocurrencies in the world economy is not imminent. However, the underlying technology of cryptocurrencies holds great promise for improving the security and efficiency of the global financial and monetary systems

Cotula coronopifolia : invasive or just another alien species?

It is known that alien species can become invasive in a new environment and in new geographic areas. The recent and rapid expansion of Cotula coronopifolia (cotula)on the island of Öland in Sweden has raised questions about its potential invasiveness. The lack of information about the species ecology and behavior lead to this study which focuses on cotula’s history of expansion, dispersal mechanisms and potential vectors, expansion speed and habitat preferences, and if there is any spatial competition between cotula and native species. A literature review, a field study and a couple of floating experiments indicates that the main dispersal mechanism of cotula is its good floating ability regarding both plants and seeds. The present population in Sweden is most likely a result of secondary spread by water across the Baltic Sea around 2002. A mapping survey done over two seasons, 2018 and 2019, of two populations on the island of Öland and a demographic study showed a high dispersal potential, with 2.4 million seeds produced per m2, and an expansion speed of, at least, 380 m per year. The field study, in combination with the mapping survey, showed that cotula has a broader niche in terms of habitat preferences than the literature indicated. I also found that the adult plants were able to endure much more frost and ice than previously known. A survey of 290 vegetation plots (0.0625 m2) with cotula present showed that there is a negative correlation between the cover of cotula and the native species and also with species number. This indicates spatial competition between cotula and the native species. The present populations will likely continue to grow and spread since there is plenty of uncolonized habitat available along the coasts of the Baltic Sea. Hence, there is a need for an action plan to prevent further establishment and a readiness for rapid eradication once the species reaches new areas.I samband med den nyliga och hastiga spridningen av kotula, Cotula coronopifolia i Sverige har det väckts frågor kring dess potentiella invasivitet. Eftersom litteraturen kring kotulans ekologi och historia är mycket sparsam så initierades denna studie som fokuserar på kotulans historiska spridningsvägar, dess spridningsmekanismer och potentiella vektorer, dess expansionshastighet, habitatpreferenser, och om det finns någon indikation på spatial/rumslig konkurrens mellan kotulan och inhemska arter. Litteraturstudien, fältstudien och flytexperimenten indikerar att den huvudsakliga spridningsmekanismen är dess goda flytförmåga, av både plantor och frön. Dagens svenska population är troligen ett resultat av sekundär spridning och kom troligen vattenvägen över Östersjön kring år 2002. Kartläggningen som gjordes av två populationer på Öland, år 2018 och 2019, tillsammans med en demografistudie visar på kotulans höga spridningspotential, en fröproduktion av 2,4 miljoner frön per kvadratmeter och en expansionshastighet på minst 380 meter per år. Denna studie visade också att kotulan har en bredare habitatnisch och uthärdar mer kyla och frost än vad litteraturen indikerar. En täckningsgradsinventering utfördes i 290 stycken 0,0625 m2 vegetationsrutor där kotula fanns närvarande, vilket visade på att det fanns en negativ korrelation mellan kotulas täckningsgrad och de inhemska arternas och även med antalet arter. Detta indikerar att det förekommer spatial konkurrens mellan kotula och de inhemska arterna. Den befintliga populationen i Sverige kommer troligtvis att fortsätta expandera och sprida sig då det finns gott om potentiellt habitat längs Östersjöns kuster. Därav behövs det en handlingsplan som avser att hindra vidare spridning och en beredskap för utrotning av kotula när den etablerar sig på nya lokaler

Multiple myeloma-associated chromosomal translocation activates orphan snoRNA ACA11 to suppress oxidative stress

10.1172/JCI63051Journal of Clinical Investigation12282793-2806JCIN

Using a collaborative research approach to develop an interdisciplinary research agenda for the study of mobile health interventions for older adults.

Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution cc-by 2.0Background: Seniors with chronic diseases are often called on to self-manage their conditions. Mobile health (mHealth) tools may be a useful strategy to help seniors access health information at the point of decision-making, receive real-time feedback and coaching, and monitor health conditions. However, developing successful mHealth interventions for seniors presents many challenges. One of the key challenges is to ensure the scope of possible research questions includes the diverse views of seniors, experts and the stakeholder groups who support seniors as they manage chronic disease. Objective: Our primary objective was to present a case-study of a collaborative research approach to the development of an interdisciplinary research agenda. Our secondary objectives were to report on the results of a nominal group technique (NGT) approach used generate research questions and to assess the success of including non-academic researchers to enrich the scope, priority, and total number of possible research questions. Methods: We invited researchers and stakeholders to participate in a full day meeting that included rapid-style presentations by researchers, health care professionals, technology experts, patients and community groups followed by group discussions. An NGT was used to establish group consensus on the following question: In your opinion, what research needs to be done to better understand the effectiveness, usability and design of mobile health apps and devices for older adults? Results: Overall, the collaborative approach was a very successful strategy to bring together a diverse group of participants with the same end goal. The 32 participants generated 119 items in total. The top three research questions that emerged from the NGT were related to adoption, the need for high quality tools and the digital divide. Strong sub-themes included privacy and security, engagement and design. The NGT also helped us include the perspectives information from non-academic researchers that would not have been captured if the process had been limited to the research team. Conclusions: Developing ways for patients and other stakeholders to have a voice when it comes to developing patient awareness as related to mHealth may guide future research into engagement, ownership, usability and design. It is our intention that our paper be used and adapted by other researchers to engage small or vulnerable populations often excluded from mHealth research and design.None Declare

Den behovsanpassade trädgården

Många äldre bor kvar i sin villa hela livet men med ålder eller sjukdom kommer ofta mer problem med kroppen såsom minskad ork och möjlighet att utföra vissa rörelser. Detta kan leda fram till svårigheter att både använda och sköta den egna trädgården. Genom den litteraturstudie som genomfört framgår det att genom att anpassa trädgårdsmiljön med väl planerade gångar, upphöjda odlingsbäddar och väl planerad komposition kan skötseln i trädgården minska, möjligheten till att känna sig effektiv och välmående i trädgården ökar samt ger möjlighet till en ökad självständighet. Två tillgänglighetsanpassade platser undersöktes närmare och när platserna jämfördes mot litteraturens lösningar gick det att se stora likheter i utformningen. Som en slutlig del av detta arbete gjordes ett gestaltningsförslag på en villaträdgård där fokus i gestaltningen var att göra miljön så tillgänglig och välanpassad som möjligt för att skötsel och användning av trädgården skulle bli så optimal som möjligt för de boendes önskemål och behov. Syftet och målet med detta arbete var att samla kunskap om tillgänglighet för att på så sätt få ytterligare ett verktyg till hjälp för att utforma väl anpassade gestaltningar i och för framtiden.Many people continue to live in their own detached house with a garden even when they are getting old. However, with age often comes more problems with the body like less energy level and more trouble with certain movements. This may cause problems with managing a garden. The literature study showed that if the garden is better adapted with help of a well-planned garden system with good level materials, raised garden beds and with strategic chosen composition of plants this will contribute to lower management and lead to the ability to feel more efficient and thereby more satisfied. Two accessible places were examined more closely and when these places were compared to the solutions in the literature, there were big similarities in the strategy of the design. The last piece of this project was to present a design proposition for a garden with focus on accessibility. The goal was to do the chosen garden as accessible and well planned as possible to match the residents wishes and needs. The purpose and goal for this work was to gather knowledge of accessibility and by doing that get access to yet another tool for future design projects