The predictive validity of the RSI QuickScan questionnaire with respect to arm, shoulder and neck symptoms in computer workers

The aim of this study was to determine whether results from the RSI QuickScan questionnaire on risk factors for arm, shoulder and neck symptoms can predict future arm, neck and shoulder symptoms in a population of computer workers. For this prospective cohort study, with a follow-up of 24 months, 3383 workers who regularly worked with a computer were approached. Generalised estimating equations (GEE) with 6, 12, 18 and 24 months time lags were used to determine whether high exposure was related to symptoms at follow-up. The results showed that high scores on 9 out of 13 scales, including previous symptoms, were significantly related to arm, shoulder and neck symptoms at follow-up. These results provide support for the predictive validity of the RSI QuickScan questionnaire.Practitioner Summary: The results showed that high scores on 9 out of 13 scales, including previous symptoms, were significantly related to arm, shoulder and neck symptoms at follow-up. The RSI QuickScan questionnaire may be recommended as a tool in the identification of computer workers who should be targeted with interventions aimed at prevention of future symptoms. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC

30 Yan-nhanu language documentation and revitalisation

Breastfeeding may have a protective effect on the development of obesity in later life. Not much is known about the effects of infant feeding on more-specific fat measures.We examined associations of breastfeeding duration and exclusiveness and age at the introduction of solid foods with general and abdominal fat outcomes in children.We performed a population-based, prospective cohort study in 5063 children. Information about infant feeding was obtained by using questionnaires. At the median age of 6.0 y (90\% range: 5.7\%, 6.8\%), we measured childhood anthropometric measures, total fat mass and the android:gynoid fat ratio by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and preperitoneal abdominal fat by using ultrasound.We observed that, in the models adjusted for child age, sex, and height only, a shorter breastfeeding duration, nonexclusive breastfeeding, and younger age at the introduction of solid foods were associated with higher childhood general and abdominal fat measures (P-trend < 0.05) but not with higher childhood body mass index. The introduction of solid foods at a younger age but not breastfeeding duration or exclusivity was associated with higher risk of overweight or obesity (OR: 2.05; 95\% CI: 1.41, 2.90). After adjustment for family-based sociodemographic, maternal lifestyle, and childhood factors, the introduction of solid food between 4-4.9 mo of age was associated with higher risks of overweight or obesity, but the overall trend was not significant.Associations of infant breastfeeding and age at the introduction of solid foods with general and abdominal fat outcomes are explained by sociodemographic and lifestyle-related factors. Whether infant dietary composition affects specific fat outcomes at older ages should be further studied

Effects of in utero exposure to 4-hydroxy-2,3,3',4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (4-OH-CB107) on developmental landmarks, steroid hormone levels, and female estrous cyclicity in rats

Previous studies have revealed that one of the major metabolites of PCBs detected in human blood, 4-OH-2,3,3',4',5-pentaCB (4-OH-CB107), accumulated in fetal liver, brain, and plasma and reduced maternal and fetal thyroid hormone levels after prenatal exposure to pregnant rats from gestational days (GD) 10¿16. In the present study, the effects of 4-OH-CB-107 on developmental landmarks, steroid hormone levels, and estrous cyclicity of rat offspring after in utero exposure to 4-OH-CB107 was investigated. Pregnant rats were exposed to 0, 0.5, and 5.0 mg 4-OH-CB107 per kg bw from GD 10 to GD 16. Another group of rats was exposed to Aroclor 1254 (25 mg/kg bw) to study the differences between effects caused by parent PCB congeners and the 4-OH-CB107 alone. A significant, dose-dependent prolongation of the estrous cycle was observed in 75% and 82% of female offspring exposed to 0.5 and 5.0 mg 4-OH-PCB107, respectively, compared to 64% of Aroclor 1254 (25 mg/kg) exposed offspring. The diestrous stage of the estrous cycle was prolonged, resembling a state of pseudopregnancy, which might reflect early signs of reproductive senescence. Plasma estradiol concentrations in female rat offspring were significantly increased (50%) in the proestrous stage after exposure to 5 mg 4-OH-CB107 per kg bw. No effects on estradiol levels were observed in Aroclor 1254 treated animals. These results indicate that in utero exposure to 4-OH-CB107 leads to endocrine-disrupting effects, especially in female offspring. The possible impact on neurobehavior following exposure to 4-OH-CB107 will be reported elsewher

Phase Behavior of Type-II Superconductors with Quenched Point Pinning Disorder: A Phenomenological Proposal

A general phenomenology for phase behaviour in the mixed phase of type-II superconductors with weak point pinning disorder is outlined. We propose that the ``Bragg glass'' phase generically transforms via two separate thermodynamic phase transitions into a disordered liquid on increasing the temperature. The first transition is into a glassy phase, topologically disordered at the largest length scales; current evidence suggests that it lacks the long-ranged phase correlations expected of a ``vortex glass''. This phase has a significant degree of short-ranged translational order, unlike the disordered liquid, but no quasi-long range order, in contrast to the Bragg glass. This glassy phase, which we call a ``multi-domain glass'', is confined to a narrow sliver at intermediate fields, but broadens out both for much larger and much smaller field values. The multi-domain glass may be a ``hexatic glass''; alternatively, its glassy properties may originate in the replica symmetry breaking envisaged in recent theories of the structural glass transition. Estimates for translational correlation lengths in the multi-domain glass indicate that they can be far larger than the interline spacing for weak disorder, suggesting a plausible mechanism by which signals of a two-step transition can be obscured. Calculations of the Bragg glass-multi-domain glass and the multi-domain glass-disordered liquid phase boundaries are presented and compared to experimental data. We argue that these proposals provide a unified picture of the available experimental data on both high-T$_c$ and low-T$_c$ materials, simulations and current theoretical understanding.Comment: 70 pages, 9 postscript figures, modified title and minor changes in published versio