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Biomedical subjects

R E Rudd

Publications and source records attributed to R E Rudd.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Shock deformation of face-centred-cubic metals on subnanosecond timescales.

Despite its fundamental importance for a broad range of applications, little is understood about the behaviour of metals during the initial phase of shock compression. Here, we present molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of shock-wave propagation through a metal allowing a detailed analysis of the dynamics of high strain-rate plasticity. Previous MD simulations have not seen the evolution of the strain from one- to three-dimensional compression that is observed in diffraction experiments. Our large-scale MD simulations of up to 352 million atoms resolve this important discrepancy through a detailed understanding of dislocation flow at high strain rates. The stress relaxes to an approximately hydrostatic state and the dislocation velocity drops to nearly zero. The dislocation velocity drop leads to a steady state with no further relaxation of the lattice, as revealed by simulated X-ray diffraction.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Onset of void coalescence during dynamic fracture of ductile metals.

Molecular dynamics simulations in three-dimensional copper are performed to quantify the void coalescence process leading to fracture. The correlated growth of the voids during their linking is investigated both in terms of the onset of coalescence and the ensuing dynamical interactions through the rate of reduction of the distance between the voids and the directional growth of the voids. The critical intervoid ligament distance marking the onset of coalescence is shown to be approximately one void radius in both measures.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Using 3 data sources and methods to shape a nutrition campaign.

The first objective of this research was to define a target population of African-American women more clearly. The second was to provide specific information about the needs and preferences of that population in order to design an effective, culturally relevant, community-based communications campaign to promote more healthful lifestyles. Data collection and analysis included the following: interviews with 10 community nutritionists and the director of the State Office of Nutrition, 6 focus groups with a total of 47 members of the target population, and direct observation and documentation of key community resources. This approach, called "triangulation," permits more in-depth understanding of issues, provides different perspectives on the problem, and helps ensure accuracy of conclusions. Interviews with nutritionists identified young African-American women as the appropriate target population for the campaign. These interviews and the focus-group discussions confirmed the acceptability of higher weight and better body-esteem among African-American women than among white women. Both the nutritionists and the focus-group members identified the need and desire for information and skills related to food preparation and provided specific direction for program content. Community observation confirmed the need for food markets with merchandise of consistently high quality, especially in the fresh and frozen produce sections. Observation also helped identify community services and programs. The 3 sets of data, which augmented a comprehensive literature review, provided a firm foundation for the campaign's design and development. Dietitians and nutritionists working in community settings can use triangulation to gain a better understanding of their populations in order to develop more effective interventions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Factors influencing nutrition education for patients with low literacy skills.

Although there has been increasing attention to cancer prevention among low-income and minority populations, only a few nutrition interventions have addressed the special needs of people with low literacy skills. To determine the best provider and the most effective format for a nutrition intervention targeting patients with low literacy skills, we conducted interviews with literacy experts and health care providers and focus groups with members of adult basic education classes. Thirty-five literacy experts and health-center-based physicians, nurses, and nutritionists in Boston, Mass, were interviewed. In addition, 50 volunteer clients from 4 Boston-based adult basic education programs participated in 6 focus groups. Results suggested that health care providers consider nutrition to be a fundamental health education topic, but that its successful inculcation in patients with limited literacy skills is hindered mostly by insufficient provider time. Almost all providers agreed that patients need to be referred to nutritionists for nutrition education. Although most providers and patients acknowledged that patients perceive physicians to be the authorities on health, patients with low literacy skills turned first to family members and friends for health information. These results suggest that effective nutrition interventions must build on patients' social networks; appear in a visually based, interactive format; and be culturally appropriate.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Determinants of the provision of ethylene oxide medical surveillance in Massachusetts hospitals.

An in-depth survey of ethylene oxide (EtO) health and safety was conducted in Massachusetts hospitals (n = 92) to investigate the determinants of the provision of medical surveillance for EtO exposure. We have evaluated the relationships between provision of EtO medical surveillance and (1) activating OSHA-specified triggers for providing EtO medical surveillance, (2) worker training on EtO health and safety, and (3) various public policy, organizational, group, and individual characteristics. Among the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) five specified triggers for provision of EtO medical surveillance, only accidental worker exposures were related to provision of surveillance (RR = 2.56, P < 0.001). Exceeding the Action Level for 30 or more days, one of OSHA's EtO triggers that is also used in a number of other standards, was not related to provision of surveillance (RR = 0.84, P = 0.714). Reports of coverage of EtO medical surveillance issues in worker training were also correlated with the provision of EtO medical surveillance (RR = 3.68, P < 0.001), supporting OSHA's premise that worker training plays an important role in medical surveillance implementation. The presence of detailed written EtO medical surveillance policies was positively related to the provision of EtO medical surveillance (RR = 1.81, P < 0.001). The relationships between these potential determinants and provision of medical surveillance were also validated in multivariate analyses. Implications for improvement of OSHA medical surveillance implementation through revised trigger schemes, improved worker training efforts, and other measures are discussed. Findings are relevant to the future development of medical surveillance and exposure monitoring policies and practices in both substance-specific and generic contexts.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Learner developed materials: an empowering product.

Freire used very specific materials in culture circles to support an empowering process that allowed learners to define the content and outcome of their own learning. However, the materials themselves were carefully crafted and developed by Freire and his co-workers. This article focuses on an extension of Freire's problem-posing educational methods to include participant involvement in the development and production of their own learning materials. Four linked case examples, one in literacy and three in health education, illustrate the process of participatory materials development and we discuss some issues for facilitators and learners. The production process can be an empowering experience and the product stands as testimony to the participants as self-conscious agents and critical thinkers capable of transforming their world. The resultant materials, geared to a particular locale and reflective of the people and language in the community, can provide a powerful model for those who may not have been involved in the process, but who can identify with the friends and neighbors who developed the materials. Participatory materials development is suggested as a supplement to problem-posing educational experiences and is particularly well suited for community programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

HIV-related training programs for health care professionals: findings from a collaborative assessment.

Seeking to avoid duplication of effort, evaluators from twelve separate HIV-related training programs worked together to share information, assessment tools, measurement instruments, and preliminary findings across programs. Each training program focused on preparing health care professionals to meet the growing demands of the AIDS epidemic and specifically address psychosocial issues of care. The collaborative effort of program evaluators included an examination of experiences across programs and yielded recommendations for needs assessments, process evaluation procedures, and outcome measures. This paper focuses on the findings from an analysis of needs assessments and process evaluations across twelve HIV-related training programs in eleven areas of the country.

Forecasting↗
PubMed1993

Schools as healthful environments: prerequisite to comprehensive school health?

The development of healthy schools to support and nature the well-being of students, teachers, and staff is proposed as a first step toward the goal of comprehensive health education. A focus on healthy schools incorporates elements of an expanded concept of comprehensive health education that demands careful consideration of the physical, psychological, and social environment of the nation's schools--worksite to 51 million (students, teachers, and staff). The active participation of all stakeholders in environmental assessments, health and safety audits, and restructuring of schools is an essential part of the school reform movement. A healthy worksite concept supports the transformation of the school environment to increase "productivity" by enhancing the ability of teachers, staff, and students to function well.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Social marketing for public health.

Marketing techniques and tools, imported from the private sector, are increasingly being advocated for their potential value in crafting and disseminating effective social change strategies. This paper describes the field of social marketing as it is used to improve the health of the public. A disciplined process of strategic planning can yield promising new insights into consumer behavior and product design. But the "technology" cannot simply be transferred without some translation to reconcile differences between commercial marketing and public health.

Advertising↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A five-stage model for sustaining a community campaign.

The Sisters Together, Move More Eat Better pilot communication program focuses on young Black women in three inner-city communities to encourage improved nutrition and increased physical activity. The design for Sisters Together is based on an expansion of a public health campaign that combines social marketing with community building efforts. The pilot program design comprises five phases: design, promotion, demonstration, transfer, and sustained activity. The proposed five-stage model holds potential for increasing the life span of a campaign and contributing to community building. Partnerships and coalition development promise to maintain the campaign beyond the limited budget period. This descriptive article illustrates the elements of a hybrid model for the design of a communication program with examples from Sisters Together, Move More Eat Better, a pilot program currently in the last year of implementation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Researching and preventing alcohol problems at work: toward an integrative model.

PURPOSE OF PROPOSAL. A consolidated framework is proposed to highlight modifiable factors in work organizations that may contribute to alcohol-related problems. This research model serves to organize existing knowledge, highlight pathways for new research initiatives, and offer insights into the design of primary and secondary preventive strategies. CONTRIBUTING INFLUENCES. Current research on problem drinking in the workplace either locates problems in individual drinkers or looks to the social environment to understand how drinking problems unfold. There is a clear need for a more complete theoretical model which incorporates social, cultural, organizational, and personal factors. PROPOSAL SUMMARY. This article elaborates on a model for examining problem drinking at work which integrates policy, normative, and psychosocial influences. It emphasizes the structures within which health-related decisions and actions are contained and constrained. The focus here on the connections between alcohol use and work builds on the premise that health is socially produced.

Alcoholism↗