The effect of embossing process conditions on the surface properties of a plasticized vinyl polymer.

Thesis (M.S.

Doping, Drogen und Medikamente im Sport: Determinanten des Substanzkonsums bei Thüringer Jugendlichen

Effektive Maßnahmen zur Gesundheitsförderung Jugendlicher, mit dem Ziel der Prävention des Dopings, Drogen- und Medikamentenmissbrauchs im Sport setzen diesbezügliche empirische Daten voraus. Die deutschlandweite Befundlage erweist sich defizitär und Zusammenhänge zwischen Substanzkonsum, Wissen, Einstellungen, subjektivem Wohlbefinden und psychischen Auffälligkeiten sind ungeklärt. Dahingehend wurde 2004 eine prospektive Querschnittsuntersuchung durchgeführt, die einerseits verlässliche Daten zur gegenwärtigen Situation in Thüringen erfassen und andererseits Interventionsmaßnahmen mit wissenschaftlicher Begleitung ermöglichen soll

Lessons learnt from a feasibility study on price incentivised healthy eating promotions in workplace catering establishments

Background It is recognised that the worksite catering sector is likely to play a pivotal role in influencing dietary intake in adults of working age. The present study aimed to assess the feasibility of engaging worksites in a healthy eating intervention, implementing a price incentivised main meal intervention and measuring indicative intervention responses to inform the design of a future trial. Methods Workplaces registered with the Scottish Healthy Living Award were invited to participate. The EatSMART intervention (a reduced price, healthy meal combination plus promotions) was implemented over 10 weeks in two worksites. Implementation was assessed by observational and sales data. Indicative effects on food habits were measured using online pre- and post-intervention questionnaires. Focus group discussions and interviews were used to determine catering staff and consumer acceptability. Results Thirty-seven worksites were invited to participate and four worksites responded positively. Two sites (with 1600 and 500 employees, respectively) participated. Both required significant implementation support. Estimated sales data indicated that the uptake of promoted items varied by week (range 60–187 items) and by site. A poor response rate from questionnaires limited the evaluation of intervention impact. Consumers reported improved value for money and quality. Both sites reported an intention to continue the intervention delivery. Conclusions Significant efforts are required to engage worksite catering teams and implement healthy eating interventions. Evaluation methods require further development to improve data collection. Responses from consumers and catering staff suggest that further work in this area would be welcomed

Das Konzept der quattromodalen Knoten

Die Verknüpfung der vier Verkehrsträger Straße, Schiene, Wasserstraße und Luft an einem quattromodalen Güterverkehrsknoten ist derzeit noch ein Randthema mit vielen Unbekannten. Das österreichische Forschungsprojekt „Q4“ widmet sich dieser Wissenslücke und stellt das Potential sowie die Grenzen quattromodaler Knoten im Güterverkehr in den Fokus der Forschung. Im Zuge dessen werden beispielhaft Möglichkeiten der Umsetzung für den österreichischen Zentralraum Linz-Wels-Steyr und die Metropolregion Wien aufgezeigt

Inside athletes' minds: Preliminary results from a pilot study on mental representation of doping and potential implications for anti-doping

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite the growing body of literature and putative links between the use of ergogenic nutritional supplements, doping and illicit drugs, it remains unclear whether, in athletes' minds, doping aligns with illicit behaviour or with functional use of chemical or natural preparations. To date, no attempt has been made to quantitatively explore athletes' mental representation of doping in relation to illegality and functionality.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A convenience sample of student athletes from a large South-Eastern Australian university responded to an on-line survey. Competitive athletes (n = 46) were grouped based on self-reported use as follows: i) none used (30%), ii) supplement only (22%), iii) illicit only (26%) and iv) both supplements and illicit drug use (22%). Whereas no athlete reported doping, data provided on projected supplement-, doping- and drug use by the four user groups allowed evaluation of doping-related cognition in the context of self-reported supplement- and illicit drug taking behaviour; and comparison between these substances.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A significantly higher prevalence estimation was found for illicit drug use and a trend towards a biased social projection emerged for supplement use. Doping estimates by user groups showed mixed results, suggesting that doping had more in common with the ergogenic nutritional supplement domain than the illicit drug domain.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Assessing the behavioural domain to which doping belongs to in athletes' mind would greatly advance doping behaviour research toward prevention and intervention. Further investigation refining the peculiarity of the mental representation of doping with a larger study sample, controlling for knowledge of doping and other factors, is warranted.</p

The German Young Olympic Athletes' Lifestyle and Health Management Study (GOAL Study): design of a mixed-method study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In order to perform at top levels, elite athletes have to both protect and risk their health at the same time. Adolescent elite athletes have the additional challenge of coping with substantial physical, psychological and social transformations. The contradictory phenomenon of protecting and risking the adolescent athletes' health in sports challenges the development of health promotion and protection strategies. The GOAL Study (German Young Olympic Athletes' Lifestyle and Health Management Study) analyzes the individual and organizational management of health in adolescent elite sports.</p> <p>Methods/design</p> <p>We combine quantitative and qualitative approaches in a mixed-method study. This allows us to gather a broad range of representative information on squad athletes from all Olympic disciplines as well as in-depth information on four selected Olympic disciplines (artistic gymnastics, biathlon, handball and wrestling). Within the quantitative section we attempt to identify the young athletes' health and nutrition behavior, their subjective health state and their lay health representations, health-related social networks, and structures of medical attendance. 1138 national team level athletes born between 1992 and 1995 from 51 Olympic disciplines responded to the questionnaire (response rate: 61,75%). The qualitative section investigates the meaning and relevance of health and nutrition within the athletes' sports specific surroundings, the impact of biographic backgrounds on individual health behavior, and sports specific cultures of health, nutrition and risk. We interviewed 24 athletes and 28 coaching and medical experts, and carried out 14 multi-day participant observations at training sessions and competitions.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The studies' results will serve as the basis for developing tailored health promotion strategies to be in cooperation with German elite sports associations.</p

Review of the literature on negative health risks based interventions to guide anabolic steroid misuse prevention

Background. Despite the Internet and the WorldWideWeb providing ready access to information on the risks and health consequences of AS misuse for all ages, AS use remains a public health concern. The aim of this narrative review is to examine the ability of negative health consequences information (NHCI) to prevent adolescent AS misuse in the era of the Internet information revolution. Methods. A search of the literature published between January 2000 and March 2014 was conducted to identify studies that examined the effect of NHCI on AS use and other healthrelated social cognitive constructs and behavior in adolescent samples. Results. No empirical study was found that specifically investigated the isolated effect of NHCI on AS use. Other health-related intervention studies - involving adolescents - showed that the severity of the consequences tied to social disapproval can be more effective than the severity tied to health consequences. Relevance of NHCI can operate as a moderator or a mediator of the relationship between NHCI and social cognitive constructs and behavior change. Pre-existing knowledge about negative health consequences functions as a mediator of the relationship between NHCI and social cognitive constructs and outcomes. Conclusion. The best way to understand the effect of NHCI on social cognitive constructs and behavior is to consider it in a larger nomological network that includes perceived severity, vulnerability, relevance and pre-existing knowledge. The review highlights gaps in the literature and suggests directions for future research. Implications for prevention programs are discussed

Anabolic–androgenic steroid dependence: an emerging disorder

Anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS) are widely used illicitly to gain muscle and lose body fat. Here we review the accumulating human and animal evidence showing that AAS may cause a distinct dependence syndrome, often associated with adverse psychiatric and medical effects.We present an illustrative case of AAS dependence, followed by a summary of the human and animal literature on this topic, based on publications known to us or obtained by searching the PubMed database.About 30% of AAS users appear to develop a dependence syndrome, characterized by chronic AAS use despite adverse effects on physical, psychosocial or occupational functioning. AAS dependence shares many features with classical drug dependence. For example, hamsters will self-administer AAS, even to the point of death, and both humans and animals exhibit a well-documented AAS withdrawal syndrome, mediated by neuroendocrine and cortical neurotransmitter systems. AAS dependence may particularly involve opioidergic mechanisms. However, AAS differ from classical drugs in that they produce little immediate reward of acute intoxication, but instead a delayed effect of muscle gains. Thus standard diagnostic criteria for substance dependence, usually crafted for acutely intoxicating drugs, must be adapted slightly for cumulatively acting drugs such as AAS.AAS dependence is a valid diagnostic entity, and probably a growing public health problem. AAS dependence may share brain mechanisms with other forms of substance dependence, especially opioid dependence. Future studies are needed to characterize AAS dependence more clearly, identify risk factors for this syndrome and develop treatment strategies.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78670/1/j.1360-0443.2009.02734.x.pd