Syftet med studien var att beskriva ambulanspersonalens självskattning/upplevelse av smärta i rygg, leder och muskler samt sömn, vila och återhämtning. Ytterligare ett syfte var att undersöka om det finns några skillnader i nämnda besvär relaterat till kön och yrkeskategori. Data samlades in med enkäter och personal vid fyra ambulansstationer i Mellansverige deltog i studien. Sammanlagt delades 110 enkäter ut och 89 enkäter besvarades (svarsfrekvens 81 %). Resultatet avseende själskattad smärta visade att 53 personer (59,6 %) uppgav att de hade haft ländryggsbesvär de senaste 12 månaderna. Trettionio personer (43,6 %) uppgav nacksmärta de senaste12 månaderna. Tjugonio personer (32,6 %) uppgav skuldra/axelsmärta. Resultatet visade ingen statistisk signifikant skillnad mellan kön och yrkeskategorier. Resultatet avseende sömn visade att 72 personer (81 %) upplevde att de sov ganska bra till mycket bra. Cirka hälften av de 89 deltagarna 53 % uppgav att de kunde återhämta sig efter varje arbetspass och under lediga perioder uppgav 49 personer (55 %) att de kunde återhämta sig i stort sett varje period. Resultatet visade ingen statistisk signifikant skillnad mellan kön eller yrkeskategorier när det gällde smärt – och sömnbesvär. Slutsats: För att förbättra arbetsmiljön för ambulanspersonal bör åtgärder inriktas mot belastningsergonomiska faktorer i arbetet. / The purpose of the study was to describe the ambulance personnel’s self-assessment/experiences of pain in the back, joints and muscles as well as sleep, rest and recovery. A further aim was to investigate whether there are any differences in the problems related to gender and profession. Data were collected with questionnaires, and personnel at four ambulance stations in central Sweden participated in the study. A total of 110 questionnaires were distributed, and the overall response rate was 81 %. The results for soul-rated pain showed that 53 persons (59, 6 %) reported low back pain in the last 12 months. Thirty-nine persons (43, 6 %) reported neck pain the past 12 months. Twenty-nine persons (32, 6 %) reported shoulder/shoulder pain. The results show no statistically significant difference between gender and occupational categories. The results showed that 72 persons (81 %) experience that they slept pretty good to very good. Approximately half of the 89 participants, 53 % reported they could recover after each session and during her free period reported 49 persons (55 %) experience that they could recover almost every period. The results show no statistically significant difference between gender or occupational categories regarding. Conclusion: To improve the work environment for ambulance personnel, measures should be focused on load and strain ergonomic factors.

In this report, you will be able to read about how the teacher with the help of others can / should do to support the aggressive pupil towards a more healthy behavior.

Restoration and rehabilitation activities are presently considered to be a major priority in environmental management, whether the activity implies the restoration of neglected cultivated pastures or degraded rangelands due to overgrazing and climatic impacts, or the rehabilitation of the mining and industrial areas. However, the goals are not easily achieved, mainly due to the high input costs, including that of re-seeding activities. Reseeding success is influenced by the quality and effectiveness of the used seed regarding germination and establishment under natural field conditions. If techniques can be developed to enhance the effectiveness of germination and establishment percentage of the seed in restoration and rehabilitation sites, a better cover, density and biomass yield can be expected, which will improve the rehabilitation process. It is known that commercially available grass seed has a better germination percentage and establishment percentage in comparison with seed locally harvested, which may include many impurities such as sticks and stones. The availability of the locally harvested seed types, especially of certain ecotypes adapted to specific environments, can be poor. Advance Seed Company (Krugersdorp, South Africa) has taken commercially available grass seed to the next level by enhancing (coating) the seed with a multitude of different treatments to ensure better handling of the seed in reseeding applications. These treatments also have advantages such as a higher seed to soil contact, growth stimulants included in the treatment, higher seed purity and the protection of the seed against predation by ants and other insects and against harsh chemicals in the soil, which might have an influence on the germination percentage of the seed and the establishment of seedlings. The objective of this study was to investigate whether or not certain enhanced grass seed types of selected grass species will have a better germination and establishment percentage, fresh and dry above-(leaves) and below-ground (root) biomass yield (glasshouse trials) and dry above-ground biomass yields (natural fields trials) in comparison with non-enhanced types. The predation of enhanced and non-enhanced seeds by ants and other insects, as well as the development of the vascular tissue in the transitional region of the seedlings was also investigated. The grasses assessed included enhanced and non-enhanced seed types of Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass), Cynodon dactylon (Couch grass), Digitaria eriantha (Common finger grass) and Eragrostis curvula (Weeping love grass). In the case of E. curvula, four seed types, including the non-enhanced seed type were tested. These included non-enhanced seed, seed treated with "plain coat", enhancement with "organic insecticide on the base of the coaf' (Le. insecticide between the enhancement and the seed) and enhancement with "organic insecticide on the base of the coat and as an overspray" (Le. insecticide between the enhancement and the seed, as well as spraying the insecticide over the coated seed). The above mentioned species are commonly used in grass seed mixtures for rehabilitation and restoration purposes. Seeds were supplied by Advance Seed Company. The seed enhancement treatments as well as the non-enhanced seed types were tested under various conditions. The chemical composition of the enhancement treatment used in the coating process is only known by the seed technicians at Advance Seed Company. All the seed supplied by the seed merchant had a purity of >95%. With the application of dormancy breaking in the germination tests the non-enhanced seed types of Chloris gayana had the higher germination percentage of the seed type or the same species. Other differences included the germination percentage being significantly higher for the enhanced seed type of Cynodon dactylon than the non-enhanced seed type. Lower germination percentages were noted in the comparison of the E. curvula seed types, were the non-enhanced seed type had a higher germination percentage in comparison with the enhanced seed types. In the germination tests without dormancy breaking being applied, these results differ. With regard to the establishment percentages, similar statistical differences were noted in both the Coco Peat Moss medium and the Hygromix growth medium. In the above-and below-ground biomass production trials in the glass house the only significant difference were noted in the biomass production of D. eriantha plants. In the case of the dry above-and below-ground biomass yield the plants of the non-enhanced seed types of D. eriantha yielded a significantly higher biomass in comparison with the plants harvested from the enhanced seed type of the same species. With regard to the natural field trials a few significant differences were noted. The results indicated that the enhanced seed types of Chloris gayana and Cynodon dactylon, the non-enhanced seed type of D. eriantha as well as the non-enhanced and "organic insecticide on base and as overspray" enhancement of E cUNula can be used in re-seeding restoration and rehabilitation practices. Eragrostis cUNula enhanced with "plain coat" is not recommended to be used for re-seeding in disturbed areas. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Environmental Science and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Restoration and rehabilitation activities are presently considered to be a major priority in environmental management, whether the activity implies the restoration of neglected cultivated pastures or degraded rangelands due to overgrazing and climatic impacts, or the rehabilitation of the mining and industrial areas. However, the goals are not easily achieved, mainly due to the high input costs, including that of re-seeding activities. Reseeding success is influenced by the quality and effectiveness of the used seed regarding germination and establishment under natural field conditions. If techniques can be developed to enhance the effectiveness of germination and establishment percentage of the seed in restoration and rehabilitation sites, a better cover, density and biomass yield can be expected, which will improve the rehabilitation process. It is known that commercially available grass seed has a better germination percentage and establishment percentage in comparison with seed locally harvested, which may include many impurities such as sticks and stones. The availability of the locally harvested seed types, especially of certain ecotypes adapted to specific environments, can be poor. Advance Seed Company (Krugersdorp, South Africa) has taken commercially available grass seed to the next level by enhancing (coating) the seed with a multitude of different treatments to ensure better handling of the seed in reseeding applications. These treatments also have advantages such as a higher seed to soil contact, growth stimulants included in the treatment, higher seed purity and the protection of the seed against predation by ants and other insects and against harsh chemicals in the soil, which might have an influence on the germination percentage of the seed and the establishment of seedlings. The objective of this study was to investigate whether or not certain enhanced grass seed types of selected grass species will have a better germination and establishment percentage, fresh and dry above-(leaves) and below-ground (root) biomass yield (glasshouse trials) and dry above-ground biomass yields (natural fields trials) in comparison with non-enhanced types. The predation of enhanced and non-enhanced seeds by ants and other insects, as well as the development of the vascular tissue in the transitional region of the seedlings was also investigated. The grasses assessed included enhanced and non-enhanced seed types of Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass), Cynodon dactylon (Couch grass), Digitaria eriantha (Common finger grass) and Eragrostis curvula (Weeping love grass). In the case of E. curvula, four seed types, including the non-enhanced seed type were tested. These included non-enhanced seed, seed treated with "plain coat", enhancement with "organic insecticide on the base of the coaf' (Le. insecticide between the enhancement and the seed) and enhancement with "organic insecticide on the base of the coat and as an overspray" (Le. insecticide between the enhancement and the seed, as well as spraying the insecticide over the coated seed). The above mentioned species are commonly used in grass seed mixtures for rehabilitation and restoration purposes. Seeds were supplied by Advance Seed Company. The seed enhancement treatments as well as the non-enhanced seed types were tested under various conditions. The chemical composition of the enhancement treatment used in the coating process is only known by the seed technicians at Advance Seed Company. All the seed supplied by the seed merchant had a purity of >95%. With the application of dormancy breaking in the germination tests the non-enhanced seed types of Chloris gayana had the higher germination percentage of the seed type or the same species. Other differences included the germination percentage being significantly higher for the enhanced seed type of Cynodon dactylon than the non-enhanced seed type. Lower germination percentages were noted in the comparison of the E. curvula seed types, were the non-enhanced seed type had a higher germination percentage in comparison with the enhanced seed types. In the germination tests without dormancy breaking being applied, these results differ. With regard to the establishment percentages, similar statistical differences were noted in both the Coco Peat Moss medium and the Hygromix growth medium. In the above-and below-ground biomass production trials in the glass house the only significant difference were noted in the biomass production of D. eriantha plants. In the case of the dry above-and below-ground biomass yield the plants of the non-enhanced seed types of D. eriantha yielded a significantly higher biomass in comparison with the plants harvested from the enhanced seed type of the same species. With regard to the natural field trials a few significant differences were noted. The results indicated that the enhanced seed types of Chloris gayana and Cynodon dactylon, the non-enhanced seed type of D. eriantha as well as the non-enhanced and "organic insecticide on base and as overspray" enhancement of E cUNula can be used in re-seeding restoration and rehabilitation practices. Eragrostis cUNula enhanced with "plain coat" is not recommended to be used for re-seeding in disturbed areas. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Environmental Science and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The rational emotive psychology movement has contributed significantly to the development of training approaches to explore the behavioral characteristics and emotional dynamics of full and healthy living. In response, this study was initiated to assess the effects of rational behavior training (RBT) upon emotionally disturbed adolescents in an alternative special education program.

The purpose of the present investigation was to develop and field test a practical program for the mainstreaming of behaviorally disturbed childred into regular fifth-grade classrooms. The 10-day training program emphasized the training of both teachers and peers as therapeutic agents. It focused upon the teachers' behaviors in terms of establishing classroom rules, praising and ignoring, minimizing reprimands, individualizing instruction, and providing ix naturally-occurring reinforcers to the children. The program enlisted the aid of the peers in terms of utilizing them as tutors, models, and as reinforcing agents or therapists. The children were taught to self-monitor their attention to appropriate and inappropriate behaviors and role playing techniques were used. Multiple baseline designs were used to assess the effects of intervention in five classrooms and on the target behaviors of ten children identified as emotionally disturbed. Treatment effects were replicated across students and teachers in three experiments. Substantial reductions in inappropriate behaviors were obtained while significant academic gains in reading and math were fostered. The results indicated that this approach was effective, efficient, and suitable for a variety of elementary classrooms.

No description available.

Wastewater treatment plants are shifting towards producing exceptional quality (EQ) biosolids to increase recycling rates to land, especially urban areas. Other methods of improving the environmental impact of wastewater treatment includes additions of iron (Fe) to reduce phosphorus (P) concentrations in outgoing treated water and precipitate the P into the biosolids. Proper management of biosolids to rehabilitate anthropogenically disturbed urban soils for improved plant growth and effects on the cycling of nutrients requires further study. Our objectives were: 1) to determine whether various EQ biosolids could be managed to improve degraded soil properties and turfgrass quality while minimizing risk of P loss in a field study; and 2) to use spectral reflectance data to compare relationships of vegetation indices to soil and turfgrass parameters. We found that after an initial lag-time of one year, biosolids amendments increased turfgrass clipping biomass and aesthetic quality greater than did synthetic fertilizer. Repeated topdressing applications of biosolids reduced soil bulk density and increased soil organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen (N) stocks. Biosolids applied at the agronomic N rate did not increase water-soluble P (15 and 18 mg P kg-1 of soil) compared to biosolids applied at the agronomic P rate (9.6 mg P kg-1 of soil) and synthetic fertilizer (13 mg P kg-1 of soil) after five years. We further demonstrated at this field site that collecting continuous data improves spectral reflectance vegetation indices relationships to turfgrass quality, clipping biomass, and tissue N accumulation. Soil volumetric water content was best correlated to the water band index (r = 0.60) and the green-to-red ratio index (r = 0.54) vegetation indices. Differences in soil and turfgrass measured parameters were best detected when there was drought-stressed versus irrigated turfgrass. / Doctor of Philosophy / Biosolids are the sanitized and nutrient-rich organic solids and semi-solids resulting from treatment of wastewater. The nutrient-rich organic solids provide plant-essential elements (e.g., nitrogen) and can improve soil physical parameters such as soil compaction. Wastewater treatment plants are adopting processes that produce cleaner, exceptional quality (EQ) biosolids to increase biosolids recycling rates to land, especially to urban areas to improve urban soil quality. Adding iron to treated wastewater further improves the quality of biosolids and effluent released to surface water by removing phosphorus from wastewater and concentrating this essential plant nutrient within biosolids. Our research objectives were to quantify the potential benefits of EQ biosolids for improving degraded urban soils, providing sufficient plant available nitrogen to improve turfgrass quality, avoiding increasing soil phosphorus to levels that could result in pollution, and increasing the long-term storage of soil carbon to mitigate climate change. We learned that biosolids were the best long-term solution for providing a high quality turfgrass stand and improve soil properties. Repeated applications of EQ biosolids reduced soil bulk density and increased soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks. The increased iron in the biosolids reduced water-soluble phosphorus and may reduce phosphorus loss to surface waters.

No description available.

Etude de la Relation entre la Pratique Sportive, l'Anxiété Physique Sociale, le Genre et les Attitudes et ComCette thèse examine l'effet modérateur (1) de l'âge, et du genre sur la relation entre la pratique sportive (minceur, individuel, libre, compétitif), et les attitudes et comportements alimentaires problématiques (six dimensions) des adolescents. (2) de l'IMC, des caractéristiques du sport, sur la relation entre l'Anxiété Physique Sociale (SAP) et les ACAP selon la théorie de la Présentation de Soi, (Leary & Kolawski, 1990). Les adolescents ayant (SAP) soumis à la pression de leur environnement, sont enclins à contrôler leur physique, peuvent être protégés des ACAP, mais peuvent aussi s'engager dans des pratiques liées aux ACAP qui peuvent mettre en danger leur santé.Population : 770 et 766 adolescents français 11-18 ans; 46 sports classés en sports de minceur et non minceur. Méthode : analyse statistique, régression 4 étapes ; Résultats : Les sports (minceur, compétition, individuels) reliés à un SAP élevé présentent des risques élevés d'ACAP en particulier chez les filles. Les garçons sont plus protégés des ACAP. Les sports individuels (vomissement-purge peur de grossir, préoccupation alimentaire, culpabilité à l'égard de manger). Les actions de prévention peuvent prévenir les ACAP. / This thesis examines the moderating effect (1) age, and gender on the relationship between sport (leanness, individual, free, competitive), and disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors ( six dimensions) adolescents. (2) BMI, characteristics of sport, on the relationship between Social Anxiety Physics (SAP ) and ACAP according to the theory of the Presentation of Self ( Leary & Kolawski , 1990). Adolescents with (SAP ) under the pressure of their environment, likely to control their physical , can be protected from ACAP , but may also engage in practices related to ACAP may damage to their health.Population: 770 and 766 teenagers 11-18 years old French ; 46 classified sports leaness and not leaness. Method: statistical analysis, regression 4 steps ;Results: sports (leanness, competition, individual), age, gender connected to a high SAP high risk ACAP especially among girls. Boys are more protected from ACAP expect in leanness. Individual sports (vomiting, purging fear of gaining weight, food preoccupation, guilt about eating. Preventive actions can prevent ACAP.