Physical activity monitoring in Europe : the European physical activity surveillance system (EUPASS) approach and indicator testing.

Objectives: The main objective of this paper is to describe the approach and specific findings of the European Physical Activity Surveillance System (EUPASS) research project. In particular, the analysis presented aims at testing the reliability, comparability and predictive power of different sets of physical activity (PA) indicators. Design: First, a panel study based on computer-aided telephone interview (CATI) was designed to report PA data of a representative, selected group of about 100 persons per country at three points in time. Second, a CATI time series survey was carried out with the goal of realising about 100 interviews per month over six consecutive months. Setting: The project was carried out in eight European countries to support the development of the European Union's (EU) Health Monitoring Programme. Subjects: Random population samples (subjects aged 18 years and older) were drawn from each participating country. Results: While many PA indicators used in EU countries to date as well as the psychosocial and environmental measures tested in the present study had acceptable to good reliability coefficients, the test–retest reliability scores of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) version tested (the short (last 7 days) telephone interview IPAQ; IPAQ-S7T) were rather low. The comparability between extant national PA items and the IPAQ-S7T was low for all countries. The strongest predictors of perceived health were the psychosocial and environmental PA indicators. Conclusions: According to the results of the present study, more research is needed to further investigate and improve the quality of the IPAQ. In addition, the specific predictive power of the tested psychosocial and environmental PA indicators on perceived health should be of particular interest for designing health surveillance activities in the future

Computer Code System V. S. O. P. (99/11) Update 2011 of V.S.O.P(99)-Version 2009 CODE MANUAL

V.S.O.P. is a computer code system for the comprehensive numerical simulation of the physics of thermal reactors. The application of the code implies processing of cross sections, the set-up of the reactor and of the fuel element, neutron spectrum evaluation, neutron diffusion calculation, fuel burnup, fuel shuffling, reactor control, and thermal hydraulics of steady states and transients. The neutronics calculations can be performed in up to three dimensions. Thermal hydraulics is restricted to gas-cooled reactors in two spatial dimensions. Evaluation of fuel cycle costs over the reactor life time is made using the present worth method. A broad description of the features of the code has been published in Ref. /1/

Policy assessment and policy development for physical activity promotion: results of an exploratory intervention study in 15 European Nations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Purpose of the study was to test a theoretical model to assess and develop policies for the promotion of physical activity among older people as part of an international intervention study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>248 semi-standardized interviews with policy-makers were conducted in 15 European nations. The questionnaire assessed policy-makers' perceptions of organizational goals, resources, obligations, as well as organizational, political and public opportunities in the area of physical activity promotion among older people. In order to develop policies, workshops with policy-makers were conducted. Workshop outputs and outcomes were assessed for four nations nine months after the workshops.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Policy assessment: Results of the policy assessment were diverse across nations and policy sectors. For example, organizational goals regarding actions for physical activity promotion were perceived as being most favorably by the sports sector. Organizational obligations for the development of such policies were perceived as being most favorably by the health sector.</p> <p>Policy development: The workshops resulted in different outputs: a national intersectoral action plan (United Kingdom), a national alliance (Sweden), an integrated policy (the Netherlands), and a continuing dialogue (Germany).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Theory-driven policy assessment and policy-maker workshops might be an important means of scientific engagement in policy development for health promotion.</p

Policy, competence and participation: empirical evidence for a multilevel health promotion model

This paper uses data from a European health promotion evaluation study (MAREPS) to empirically test some fundamental assumptions of health promotion theory. Analysis shows that both the competence of individual actors and the opportunities provided for by health-promoting policies are significant predictors of participation in health promotion action. It also demonstrates effects of health promotion values on such action. Moreover, people's perception of their own political efficacy, e.g. their influence on community decisions that effect their health, turns out to be a significant predictor of self-rated health. In conclusion, the paper encourages further research to investigate the effectiveness of health-promoting policy strategies within a multilevel health promotion framework. As the present results indicate, effective health-promoting policies may create opportunities that enable individuals and communities to increase control over the determinants of health, and thereby improve their healt

Self reported physical activity, public health, and perceived environment: results from a comparative European study

The focus of physical activity promotion is moving from methods for increasing health enhancing physical activity on the individual level to higher level strategies including environmental and policy approaches. Scientific inquiry, traditionally related to individual-based strategies, requires adaptation and refinement when environmental and policy changes become more relevant. The objective of this study is to investigate the significance for behaviour and health of community-based environments that encourage physical activity. DESIGN AND SETTING The article presents data and results from a cross sectional comparative survey of the general population in six European countries (Belgium, Finland, Germany (East and West), Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland). Specifically, the relation between perceived community-based opportunities for physical activity, self reported physical activity, and self rated health status is investigated. PARTICIPANTS Representative samples of general populations (adults 18 years or older). Overall response rate: 53.5%. Sample sizes realised: Belgium: n=389; Finland: n=400; Germany (East): n = 913; Germany (West): n=489; Netherlands: n=366; Spain: n=380; Switzerland: n=406. MAIN RESULTS Analyses show that best opportunities are reported by people who are lightly to moderately physically active. People's self rated health is moderately, but significantly associated with both perceived opportunities, and physical activity itself. These predictors interact in that especially for women, the health impact of physical activity is more pronounced in case of good opportunities. CONCLUSIONS The paper shows the potential of opportunities within residential and community environments with regard to physical activity, both for behaviour and health. Opportunities may enable the population, especially women, to develop an active lifestyle, and thus improve their health. Future studies with objective indicators for physical activity related environments should test the findings that are based on perceptions

A primary cutaneous adenoid-cystic carcinoma in a young woman. Differential diagnosis and clinical implications

Primary cutaneous adenoid-cystic carcinoma (PCACC) is a rare slow-growing neoplasm of disputed histogenesis characterized by a cribriform pattern at histology and local aggressive behaviour. Up to date about 60 cases of PCACC have been reported in the literature. This tumour is most common in the scalp, affects middle-aged and older individuals (mean age 59) and has predilection for women. We describe an unexpected case of PCACC in a 32-years-old woman referred to our clinic for a subcutaneous nodule in the scalp showing a slow growth and indolent course. The differential diagnosis and the clinical management of this PCACC patient, successfully treated with a wide local excision, are presented and discussed

Impact of employee motivation on passenger satisfaction levels – A case study in the state of Karnataka (India)

Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies. Faculty of Economics and Business. The University of Sydne

Zur selbsttätig sicheren Begrenzung von nuklearer Leistung und Brennstofftemperatur in innovativen Kernreaktoren

Nuclear energy probably will not contribute significantly to the future worldwide energysupply until it can be made catastrophefree. Therefore it has to be shown, that theconsequences of even largest accidents will have no major impact to the environmentof a power plant.In this paper one of the basic conditions for such a nuclear technology is discussed.Using mainly the modular pebble-bed high-temperature reactor as an example, thedesign principles, analytical methods and the level of knowledge as given today incontrolling reactivity accidents by inherent safety features of innovative nuclear reactorsare described. Complementary possibilities are shown to reach this goal with systems ofdifferent types of construction . Questions open today and resulting requirements forfuture activities are discussed .Today's knowledge credibly supports the possibility of a catastrophefree nucleartechnology with respect to reactivity event

Italian network for obesity and cardiovascular disease surveillance: A pilot project

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Also in Mediterranean countries, which are considered a low risk population for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the increase in body mass index (BMI) has become a public health priority. To evaluate the feasibility of a CVD and obesity surveillance network, forty General Practitioners (GPs) were engaged to perform a screening to assess obesity, cardiovascular risk, lifestyle habits and medication use.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 1,046 women and 1,044 men aged 35–74 years were randomly selected from GPs' lists stratifying by age decade and gender. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were performed by GPs using standardized methodologies. BMI was computed and categorized in normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²), overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m²) and obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²). Food frequency (per day: fruits and vegetables; per week: meat, cheese, fish, pulses, chocolate, fried food, sweet, wholemeal food, rotisserie food and sugar drink) and physical activity (at work and during leisure time) were investigated through a questionnaire. CVD risk was assessed using the Italian CUORE Project risk function.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The percentage of missing values was very low. Prevalence of overweight was 34% in women and 50% in men; prevalence of obesity was 23% in both men and women. Level of physical activity was mostly low or very low. BMI was inversely associated with consumption of pulses, rotisserie food, chocolate, sweets and physical activity during leisure time and directly associated with consumption of meat. Mean value of total cardiovascular risk was 4% in women and 11% in men. One percent of women and 16% of men were at high cardiovascular risk (≥ 20% in 10 years). Normal weight persons were four times more likely to be at low risk than obese persons.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study demonstrated the feasibility of a surveillance network of GPs in Italy focusing on obesity and other CVD risk factors. It also provided information on lifestyle habits, such as diet and physical activity.</p