Structured Early Consultation with the Occupational Physician Reduces Sickness Absence Among Office Workers at High Risk for Long-Term Sickness Absence: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective To examine the efficacy of structured early consultation among employees at high risk for future long-term sickness absence, in the prevention and/or reduction of sickness absence. The focus of the experiment was the timing of the intervention, that is, treatment before sickness absence actually occurs. Methods In the current prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT), employees at high risk for long-term sickness absence were selected based on responses to a 34-item screening questionnaire including demographic, workplace, health and psychosocial factors associated with long-term sickness absence (>28 days). A total of 299 subjects at risk for future long-term sickness absence were randomized in an experimental group (n = 147) or in a control group (n = 152). Subjects in the experimental group received a structured early consult with their occupational physician (OP), in some cases followed by targeted intervention. The control group received care as usual. Sickness absence was assessed objectively through record linkage with the company registers on sickness absence over a 1 year follow-up period. Results Modified intention-to-treat analysis revealed substantial and statistically significant differences (p = 0.007) in total sickness absence duration over 1 year follow-up between the experimental (mean 18.98; SD 29.50) and control group (mean 31.13; SD 55.47). Per-protocol analysis additionally showed that the proportion of long-term sickness absence spells (>28 days) over 1 year follow-up was significantly (p = 0.048) lower in the experimental (9.1%) versus control group (18.3%). Conclusions Structured early consultation with the OP among employees at high risk for future long-term sickness absence is successful in reducing total sickness absence

Computing the Fréchet Distance with a Retractable Leash

All known algorithms for the Fréchet distance between curves proceed in two steps: first, they construct an efficient oracle for the decision version; second, they use this oracle to find the optimum from a finite set of critical values. We present a novel approach that avoids the detour through the decision version. This gives the first quadratic time algorithm for the Fréchet distance between polygonal curves in (Formula presented.) under polyhedral distance functions (e.g., (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.)). We also get a (Formula presented.)-approximation of the Fréchet distance under the Euclidean metric, in quadratic time for any fixed (Formula presented.). For the exact Euclidean case, our framework currently yields an algorithm with running time (Formula presented.). However, we conjecture that it may eventually lead to a faster exact algorithm

Effects of structure on hydrogel microbead function

Hydrogel microbeads are capable of trapping, protecting and delivering components. We investigated how different production parameters influenced the microstructure of protein and polysaccharide hydrogel microbeads, and how that in turn influenced the functional properties of the microbeads as encapsulation devices in various systems. We found that by changing the production method and the hydrocolloid type and density we could create a variety of structures with different strengths, breakdown patterns and diffusivity profiles. Most importantly, the functionality of the hydrogel microbeads is not dependent on the individual production parameters, but on a system in which the hydrogel matrix, the diffusing compound moving into or out of the microbead, and the environment in which the microbead is present, all play varying but important roles in the complete system. The hydrogel microbead by itself is a viable encapsulation device but may also be the basis for a more complex encapsulation system in which several components may be encapsulated together and which may be triggered to release by outside influences.</p

Моделирование процессов обезвоживания и обессоливания при промысловой подготовке нефти

Объектом исследования является нефтяная эмульсия месторождений Сибири. Цели работы: поиск и разработка новых методик моделирования процесса обезвоживания в электрическом поле; внедрение их в существующий программный алгоритм; проведение исследований влияния технологических параметров на показатели процесса обезвоживания. В процессе работы найдены и обработаны экспериментальные данные, получены функциональные зависимости, которые были внедрены в программный алгоритм. Проведены исследования влияния технологических параметров на показатели процесса обезвоживания. Результаты получены с использованием математической модели.The object of research is the oil emulsion VC field. The goals: search and development of new modeling techniques dehydration process in electric field; implementation of the existing software algorithm; conducting research on the influence of process parameters on the performance of the dewatering process. In operation, retrieval and processing the experimental data obtained by the functional relationship, which has been implemented in a software algorithm. Investigations of the influence of process parameters on the performance of the dewatering process. The results obtained using the mathematical model

Afscheid van de pro-formazitting in strafzaken?

Criminal Justice: Legitimacy, accountability, and effectivit

Frequentie, organisatie en praktijk van pro-formazittingen

This study is oriented on the practice of pro forma hearings. In a strict sense, the pro forma hearing is a hearing in a criminal case which is held for the purpose of conforming to pre_trial custody terms. The law prescribes that a case in which the suspect is being held in pre_trial custody the trial must start within 104 days, or that the suspect must be released. The research question is as follows: With which frequency are pro forma hearings held at district courts and courts of appeal and what is the organization and practice of pro forma hearings at these courts?Pro-formazittingen, waarin een oordeel wordt gegeven over voortzetting van de voorlopige hechtenis, worden op dit moment nog weinig gebruikt voor de regievoering en de planning van het onderzoek op de terechtzitting. Ook is er vanuit de rechtspraktijk en wetenschap kritiek op de huidige gang van zaken en de wijze waarop de verlenging van voorlopige hechtenis wordt beoordeeld. Bovendien blijken er in de rechtspraktijk onduidelijkheden te bestaan over de taakafbakeningen van de betrokken functionarissen. In dit onderzoek ligt de nadruk op hoe de pro-formazittingen in de praktijk verlopen. De volgende onderzoeksvraag wordt in dit rapport beantwoord: Wat is de frequentie van pro-formazittingen bij rechtbanken en gerechtshoven en hoe ziet de organisatie en de praktijk van pro-formazittingen bij deze gerechten eruit? INHOUD: 1. Inleiding 2. Onderzoeksmethoden 3. Het juridisch kader van pro-forma- en regiezittingen in strafzaken 4. De frequentie van pro-formazittingen 5. De organisatie en praktijk van pro-forma- en regiezittingen 6. Conclusie

Volume Load-Induced Right Ventricular Failure in Rats Is Not Associated With Myocardial Fibrosis

Background Right ventricular (RV) function and failure are key determinants of morbidity and mortality in various cardiovascular diseases. Myocardial fibrosis is regarded as a contributing factor to heart failure, but its importance in RV failure has been challenged. This study aims to assess whether myocardial fibrosis drives the transition from compensated to decompensated volume load-induced RV dysfunction. Methods Wistar rats were subjected to aorto-caval shunt (ACS, n = 23) or sham (control, n = 15) surgery, and sacrificed after 1 month, 3 months, or 6 months. Echocardiography, RV pressure-volume analysis, assessment of gene expression and cardiac histology were performed. Results At 6 months, 6/8 ACS-rats (75%) showed clinical signs of RV failure (pleural effusion, ascites and/or liver edema), whereas at 1 month and 3 months, no signs of RV failure had developed yet. Cardiac output has increased two- to threefold and biventricular dilatation occurred, while LV ejection fraction gradually decreased. At 1 month and 3 months, RV end-systolic elastance (Ees) remained unaltered, but at 6 months, RV Ees had decreased substantially. In the RV, no oxidative stress, inflammation, pro-fibrotic signaling (TGF beta 1 and pSMAD2/3), or fibrosis were present at any time point. Conclusions In the ACS rat model, long-term volume load was initially well tolerated at 1 month and 3 months, but induced overt clinical signs of end-stage RV failure at 6 months. However, no myocardial fibrosis or increased pro-fibrotic signaling had developed. These findings indicate that myocardial fibrosis is not involved in the transition from compensated to decompensated RV dysfunction in this model