Cultural Factors and Rehabilitation Counseling

How culture affects the counseling process is important to the rehabilitation professional. Culture consists of roles, values, attitudes, and norms shared by a society. It provides a framework for classifying behavior. Culture has a lifelong impact. Culture-related problems include client expectations, language, family structure, and the use of self-disclosure techniques. Counselor factors include stereotyping-and overgeneralizing. Culturally effective counselors are sensitive to their own and their clients' backgrounds, know and use a wide range of techniques, hold a world view, and practice patience. Research on how culture relates to stigma and to adjustment to disability is needed.</jats:p

Workplace nutrition habits in Slovenian small and middle sized enterprises

Abstract Background Premature death, chronic diseases, productivity loss and other social and economic concerns can be influenced by healthy lifestyle workplace promotion programs, including healthy nutrition habits. In Slovenia a project called &amp;gt;&amp;gt;STAR-VITAL-healthy ageing at workplace &amp;lt;&amp;lt; has been going on since September 2017. Methods The survey results are based on an analysis of 805 respondents from 20 different small and middle sized enterprises in Slovenia. The survey was carried out via both a paper questionnaire and an online survey during the period from June 2019 to February 2020. The screening questionnaire was completed before interventions. We estimated the average score for the eight questions concerning nutritional habits. Results Nutritional habits are the following: 62% respondents eat three or more meals a day, 64% respondents eat vegetables each day, 59,8% respondents eat fruits each day, 31,9% respondents eat fish or see fruits at least once a week, 45,7% respondents eat whole wheats at least once a week, 54,1% respondents eat red meat not more than twice a week, 62,1% respondents eat fried food not more than three times a month and 79,1% respondents drink sweet drinks less than three times a week. The results on question &amp;gt;&amp;gt;What is the most common form of meal you eat while at work? &amp;lt;&amp;lt; are the following: purchase meal at restaurant 45,3%, bring from home 32,7%, delivery/carry out 6,2%, do not eat 5,2%, other 4,7%, employer cafeteria 3,9% and vending machine 1,2%. Conclusions The results of our survey show that a significant percentage of the workers in Slovenia still has unhealthy nutritional habits. Assessment of nutritional habits before workplace promotion program interventions allow us to compare which combinations of interventions are the most effective. The results will indicate the strength and weakness of each intervention and how it could be improved. Key messages The population is growing old and chronic diseases increases, which is part of the bad nutritional habits. Healthy lifestile promotion is needed to improve quality of life. The workplace health promoting programs have been shown to be an efficient way of improving workerś health. Implementing promotional program of nutritional habits are proper for Slvenian enterprises. </jats:sec

Towards Electrification of Ro-Ro Passenger Fleet in the Adriatic Sea

With the recent introduction of new requirements for ships energy efficiency, as well as continuous rise of fuel price, there is a growing interest by many shipyards and shipowners to reduce fuel oil consumption. This is particularly important for ro-ro passenger ships in the Adriatic Sea. Various innovative energy efficient technologies could be implemented for these ships in order to reduce their environmental footprint. In this paper the viability to electrify these ships is analysed. This was done by analysing the energy efficiency of the current fleet, including the estimation of the fuel oil consumption and the analysis of ferry routes in the Adriatic Sea, as well as the number of passengers and vehicles transported. Based on this analysis, it is concluded that the electrification of the ro-ro passenger fleet in the Adriatic Sea could be considered as a viable option in the future.</jats:p

A molecular dynamics study of nanometric scale friction

Friction is an omnipresent phenomenon in all mechanical systems, inducing uncertainties and acting as a major disturbance in manufacturing technologies and in the field of the micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS & NEMS). The effects of friction can generally be compensated in the macro- and mesoscale applications. Multiple concurrent effects of various atomic-scale phenomena in the asperity contacts hinder, however, the prospect of a satisfactory insight into the fundamental tribological behaviour in the micro- and nanoscales. An in-depth fundamental understanding of nanoscale frictional behaviour is, thus, of outmost technological importance. An approach using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations is, hence, proposed in this work to study the tribological behaviour in the nanoscale (atomic) contacts. Recent thorough scanning probe microscopy experimental measurements of nanoscale friction on various thin-film materials are thus used as benchmark for MD simulations, allowing to attain important insights into the dynamics of a sliding tip on an aluminium thin-film surface while varying the normal loads. A sound basis for future more complex models, which will include adhesive effects and oxide layers, is thus accomplished, creating the preconditions to deepen further the fundamental knowledge of important tribological phenomena

The impact of heatwaves on ED visits at Ljubljana University Medical Center, from 2013 to 2017

Abstract Background Morbidity increases during the summer heatwaves globally. Despite increasing heat load, public health efforts probably improve public awareness and behavior. Our study aimed to assess whether ED visits during heatwaves in Slovenia decreased in the last years. Patients and Methods We analyzed data from the Ljubljana University Medical Centre database for consecutive patients arriving at ED, covering the Osrednjeslovenska region (around 650.000 people) in the summer period 2013 to 2017. We estimated relative risks for a number of ED visits for the observed diagnoses, sex, and age, as well as 95% confidence intervals and excess ED visits associated with heatwaves occurring in all observed years. Results Statistically significant were: in 2013: all, all causes (RT 0.78 (95% IZ, 0,72-0,85)); male, all causes (0.78 (0.70-0.88)); female, all causes(0.77 (0.68-0.87)); 75+ years, all causes (0.79 (0.70-0.91)); all, circulatory system (0.74 (0.63-0.86)); male, circulatory system (0.74 (0.60-0.91)); female, circulatory system (0.74 (0.59-0.93)) and all, digestive system (0.7 (0.35-0.91), in 2014: all, all causes (1.17 (1.07-1.28)); male, all causes (1.14 (1.01-1.29)); female, all causes (1.2 (1.06-1.35)) and all, 75+ years, all causes (1.21 (1.06-1.38)), in 2015: all, all causes (1.08 (1.01-1.16)); female, all causes (1.1 (0.01-1.22)); all, endocrine diseases (1.47 (1.03-2.1)), in 2016: all, all causes (0.92 (0.86-0.98)) and all, 75+ years, all causes (0.9 (0.81-0.99), in 2017: all, 75+ years, all causes (0.89 (0.81-0.97)), all, circulatory system (0.86 (0.77-0.96)), female, circulatory system (0.83 (0.7-0.97)); all, digestive system (0.76 (0.32-0.93)) and all, endocrine diseases (1.38 (1.02-1.85)). Conclusions The scientific evidence shows that it is possible to influence heat-related outcomes with proper public health interventions. The results of our research show a decrease in ED visits during heatwaves and support the hypothesis that public behavior is changing. Key messages ED visits due to heatwaves can be preventable. In Slovenia we are on good way with public health interventions. Heatwaves will become more frequent, more intense and will last longer, so we must continue with public health efforts. </jats:sec

Perspectives of microscopy methods for morphology characterisation of extracellular vesicles from human biofluids

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanometric membranous structures secreted from almost every cell and present in biofluids. Because EV composition reflects the state of its parental tissue, EVs possess an enormous diagnostic/prognostic potential to reveal pathophysiological conditions. However, a prerequisite for such usage of EVs is their detailed characterisation, including visualisation which is mainly achieved by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron microscopy (EM). Here we summarise the EV preparation protocols for AFM and EM bringing out the main challenges in the imaging of EVs, both in their natural environment as biofluid constituents and in a saline solution after EV isolation. In addition, we discuss approaches for EV imaging and identify the potential benefits and disadvantages when different AFM and EM methods are applied, including numerous factors that influence the morphological characterisation, standardisation, or formation of artefacts. We also demonstrate the effects of some of these factors by using cerebrospinal fluid as an example of human biofluid with a simpler composition. Here presented comparison of approaches to EV imaging should help to estimate the current state in morphology research of EVs from human biofluids and to identify the most efficient pathways towards the standardisation of sample preparation and microscopy modes

Management of dyslipidaemia in patients with coronary heart disease: Results from the ESC-EORP EUROASPIRE V survey in 27 countries

Background and aims: One of the objectives of the ESC-EORP EUROASPIRE V survey is to determine how well European guidelines on the management of dyslipidaemias are implemented in coronary patients. Methods: Standardized methods were used by trained technicians to collect information on 7824 patients from 130 centers in 27 countries, from the medical records and at a visit at least 6 months after hospitalization for a coronary event. All lipid measurements were performed in one central laboratory. Patients were divided into three groups: on high-intensity LDL-C-lowering-drug therapy (LLT), on low or moderate-intensity LLT and on no LLT. Results: At the time of the visit, almost half of the patients were on a high-intensity LLT. Between hospital discharge and the visit, LLT had been reduced in intensity or interrupted in 20.8% of the patients and had been started or increased in intensity in 11.7%. In those who had interrupted LLT or had reduced the intensity, intolerance to LLT and the advice of their physician were reported as the reason why in 15.8 and 36.8% of the cases, respectively. LDL-C control was better in those on a high-intensity LLT compared to those on low or moderate intensity LLT. LDL-C control was better in men than women and in patients with self-reported diabetes. Conclusions: The results of the EUROASPIRE V survey show that most coronary patients have a less than optimal management of LDL-C. More professional strategies are needed, aiming at lifestyle changes and LLT adapted to the need of the individual patient

Management of dyslipidaemia in patients with coronary heart disease: Results from the ESC-EORP EUROASPIRE V survey in 27 countries

WOS: 000468732700018PubMed ID: 31054483Background and aims: One of the objectives of the ESC-EORP EUROASPIRE V survey is to determine how well European guidelines on the management of dyslipidaemias are implemented in coronary patients. Methods: Standardized methods were used by trained technicians to collect information on 7824 patients from 130 centers in 27 countries, from the medical records and at a visit at least 6 months after hospitalization for a coronary event. All lipid measurements were performed in one central laboratory. Patients were divided into three groups: on high-intensity LDL-C-lowering-drug therapy (LLT), on low or moderate-intensity LLT and on no LLT. Results: At the time of the visit, almost half of the patients were on a high-intensity LLT. Between hospital discharge and the visit, LLT had been reduced in intensity or interrupted in 20.8% of the patients and had been started or increased in intensity in 11.7%. In those who had interrupted LLT or had reduced the intensity, intolerance to LLT and the advice of their physician were reported as the reason why in 15.8 and 36.8% of the cases, respectively. LDL-C control was better in those on a high-intensity LLT compared to those on low or moderate intensity LLT. LDL-C control was better in men than women and in patients with self-reported diabetes. Conclusions: The results of the EUROASPIRE V survey show that most coronary patients have a less than optimal management of LDL-C. More professional strategies are needed, aiming at lifestyle changes and LLT adapted to the need of the individual patient.ESC - EORP; AmgenAmgen; Eli LillyEli Lilly; PfizerPfizer; SanofiSanofi-Aventis; Ferrer; Novo NordiskNovo NordiskThe EUROASPIRE V survey was carried out under the auspices of the ESC - EORP. Since the start of EORP, the following companies have supported the programme: Amgen, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Sanofi, Ferrer and Novo Nordisk. The sponsors of the EUROASPIRE surveys had no role in the design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, decision to publish, or writing the manuscript

Screening for Glucose Perturbations and Risk Factor Management in Dysglycemic Patients With Coronary Artery Disease—A Persistent Challenge in Need of Substantial Improvement: A Report From ESC EORP EUROASPIRE V

OBJECTIVE Dysglycemia, in this survey defined as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or type 2 diabetes, is common in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and associated with an unfavorable prognosis. This European survey investigated dysglycemia screening and risk factor management of patients with CAD in relation to standards of European guidelines for cardiovascular subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The European Society of Cardiology’s European Observational Research Programme (ESC EORP) European Action on Secondary and Primary Prevention by Intervention to Reduce Events (EUROASPIRE) V (2016–2017) included 8,261 CAD patients, aged 18–80 years, from 27 countries. If the glycemic state was unknown, patients underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and measurement of glycated hemoglobin A1c. Lifestyle, risk factors, and pharmacological management were investigated. RESULTS A total of 2,452 patients (29.7%) had known diabetes. OGTT was performed in 4,440 patients with unknown glycemic state, of whom 41.1% were dysglycemic. Without the OGTT, 30% of patients with type 2 diabetes and 70% of those with IGT would not have been detected. The presence of dysglycemia almost doubled from that self-reported to the true proportion after screening. Only approximately one-third of all coronary patients had completely normal glucose metabolism. Of patients with known diabetes, 31% had been advised to attend a diabetes clinic, and only 24% attended. Only 58% of dysglycemic patients were prescribed all cardioprotective drugs, and use of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (3%) or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (1%) was small. CONCLUSIONS Urgent action is required for both screening and management of patients with CAD and dysglycemia, in the expectation of a substantial reduction in risk of further cardiovascular events and in complications of diabetes, as well as longer life expectancy. </jats:sec