Objective and Perceived Risk Estimates of Travel Modes in the Norwegian Public

The aim of this study was to identify groups of travel mode users, based on objective risk estimates, and examine overall differences in demographic characteristics, perceived risk, worry, perceived control when using travel modes, trust in authorities, and safety motivation. The results were based on a self-completion questionnaire survey about risk perception and travel mode use in a representative sample of the Norwegian public (n = 1864). In addition, aggregate-level data on accidents in transport were used to establish the “objective risk” for various travel modes. The respondents were split into two clusters. The first cluster was characterized by a relatively greater objective risk for accidents related to public travel modes as well as related to being a pedestrian, while the second cluster was characterized by a higher risk level related to motorized private modes of transportation. There was a significant overall difference in the risk estimates among the members of the two clusters. There was also an overall difference in risk perception and other risk-related judgments due to which risk estimate-based cluster the respondents belonged. Associations between objective risk estimates, perceived risk, and worry are discussed in relation to cluster differences in objective risk.     

Long-term biomonitoring of lichen and bryophyte biodiversity at Burnham Beeches SAC and global environmental change

Long-term monitoring began 20 years ago at Burnham Beeches Site of Special Interest (SSSI), National Nature Reserve (NNR) and European Special Area of Conservation (SAC) lying 40 km west of London as a consequence of the authorization of an application to extract gravel from an adjacent site lying north of Slough Trading Estate. Dust monitoring (sticky pads) and photographic monitoring, recording and image analysis was instigated in 1992 on Parmelion communities to assess changes in lichen growth, health and community composition. Long-term monitoring identifies that the lichen flora on free-standing trees has undergone rapid expansion from a near dominance by the SO₂-tolerant ‘acidophyte’ species Lecanora conizaeoides and Hypogymnia physodes following reductions in SO₂ concentrations. Long-term influences of low levels of eutrophication, gaseous pollutants (particularly globally rising background ozone concentrations) on lichen and bryophyte communities and succession under changing climatic conditions are unknown. Soil–plant relationships, lichen–invertebrate interactions and a pollution legacy must also be considered.     

Oocyte markets: women's reproductive work in embryonic stem cell research

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) research, otherwise known as therapeutic cloning, requires large numbers of research oocytes, placing pressure on an already limited supply. In the UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and most of Western Europe, oocytes are made available through modestly reimbursed donation, and, owing to the onerous nature of donation, the existing demand for reproductive oocytes far outstrips availability. SCNT research will place this system under even greater pressure. This paper investigates the growth in a global market for oocytes, where transnational IVF clinics broker sales between generally poor, female vendors and wealthy purchasers, beyond the borders of national regulation, and with little in the way of clinical or bioethical scrutiny. It considers the possible impact that SCNT research will have on this global market. It argues that oocyte vending could be understood as a kind of reproductive labor in the bioeconomy, and suggests some ways to improve the protection, security and power of vendors.     

“What Dr Venter did on his holidays”: exploration,hacking, entrepreneurship in the narratives of the Sorcerer II expedition

The Sorcerer II is the highly mediatized and spectacular Venter Institute's ship that circumnavigated the planet between 2003 and 2006 to collect and classify marine microbial genomes. We analyze Craig Venter's public communication activities and strategies especially focusing on the images of science and scientist he proposes: that of an eighteenth-century “savant” and nineteenth-century naturalist devoted to the exploration of new worlds, and that of the hacker, hero of informational capitalism. Emphasizing his independence from both academy and industry, but building strong alliances with both spheres and with the media, Craig Venter sails the oceans of the contemporary biotechnologies' market, interpreting a specific typology of the relationship between science and society, enterprises, universities.     

Beyond and within public engagement: a broadened approach to engagement in biobanking

Social studies on biobanking have traditionally focused on public engagement, that is, engagement with donors, patients and the general public as an important factor of sustainability. In this article, we claim that, in order to fully understand the way biobanks work, it is necessary to pay attention to a number of other actors, which have an equal, if not greater, impact on their practices and strategies. This means taking a broadened approach to biobank engagement. By using data collected from interviews with different biobank experts based in five different countries (UK, Canada, Finland, Spain and Iceland), we identify seven communities, including the public, that emerge as relevant. Such relationships condition the way biobanks develop, act and plan. The discussion illustrates how the relationships with those seven communities are articulated. We conclude that there is a need for a broadened approach to biobank engagement in order to understand biobank sustainability.     

Force Measurement During Contraction to Assess Muscle Function in Zebrafish Larvae

Zebrafish larvae provide models of muscle development, muscle disease and muscle-related chemical toxicity, but related studies often lack functional measures of muscle health. In this video article, we demonstrate a method to measure force generation during contraction of zebrafish larval trunk muscle. Force measurements are accomplished by placing an anesthetized larva into a chamber filled with a salt solution. The anterior end of the larva is tied to a force transducer and the posterior end of the larva is tied to a length controller. An isometric twitch contraction is elicited by electric field stimulation and the force response is recorded for analysis. Force generation during contraction provides a measure of overall muscle health and specifically provides a measure of muscle function. Although we describe this technique for use with wild-type larvae, this method can be used with genetically modified larvae or with larvae treated with drugs or toxicants, to characterize muscle disease models and evaluate treatments, or to study muscle development, injury, or chemical toxicity.     

财经类院校贫困生心理健康状况及述情障碍

目的：评估财经类院校贫困生心理状况,探讨财经类院校贫困生的心理状况与述情障碍的关系,为更好解决贫困生的心理问题提供依据。方法：对298名贫困学生进行症状自评量表（SymptomChecklist-90,SCL-90）多伦多述情障碍量表（Twenty-ItemTorontoAlexithymiaScale,TAS．20）的测量并与320名非贫困生对照组的结果进行比较。结果：①贫困生组的抑郁、焦虑、人际关系敏感、精神病性、偏执因子分及SCL．90总分因子高于对照组,贫困生组的F1因子明显高于对照组;②述情障碍组SCL-90总分和各因子得分明显高于非述情组;③述情量表总分及各因子分与症状自评量表总分及各因子分显著相关（P〈0．01或P〈0．05）。结论：①与非贫困学生相比,贫困生具有较多的心身症状,主要表现在抑郁、焦虑、人际关系敏感、精神病性、偏执。②述情障碍与心理健康密切相关,述情障碍个体倾向于更容易出现心身症状。③F1（缺乏识别情感的能力）是一个较其它因子更敏感的述情障碍的鉴定指标。     

Social sciences for food and health research

Healthier eating is a global challenge for chronic disease control. Food and Health Research in Europe (FAHRE) surveyed research structures and programmes in 32 countries, and reviewed research needs and gaps across nine themes. Food processing and safety research, nutrition and molecular research, and disease-based clinical research are strong; but research is weak on determinants of disease and healthier eating through policies and changing behaviours. Biomedical and commercial research for patents contrast with social research for the public interest. More funding and capacity support should go to social research in the food and health sector.     

Desarrollo global del niño: más allá de la suplementación farmacológica con yodo

Iodine deficiency is a factor that may compromise child development, but is not the only one. Other health determinants, some of them outside the healthcare system, are able to influence development. Fighting iodine deficiency may be a pragmatic and useful strategy if it is found to be not maleficent, beneficial to health, and cost-effective, and does not make us lose the notion that child development goes beyond psychomotor or cognitive performance. This article analyzes such constraints from a critical point of view.     

某部入伍新兵心理卫生服务状况及需求调查

目的：调查入伍新兵心理卫生服务状况及对心理卫生服务的需求。方法：采用质性研究和量性研究相结合的方法,对42名入伍新兵作半结构性访谈,编制《部队心理卫生服务状况和需求》调查表,采用调查表对1609名新兵进行调查。结果：9．4％的新兵心理健康知识比较了解;接近半数新兵（43．5％）对心理健康知识很感兴趣;新兵获取心理知识的途径依次为网络、心理知识讲座、报刊杂志、广播电视、面对面咨询;新兵最期望获得的心理知识依次为如何调节自己的情绪、如何建立良好的人际关系、如何塑造自己的个性和常见的心理障碍表现;新兵认为最有帮助的心理服务形式依次为一对一心理咨询、心理知识讲座、心理测验和团体心理活动;只有7．7％的新兵接受过心理卫生服务。结论：新兵对心理健康知识感兴趣,但认知度和利用度均较低,应通过网络、心理知识讲座等方式普及新兵需要的心理健康知识。