Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping products with plastic film includes: a ring-shaped element supporting a carriage; a drive mechanism for moving the ring-shaped element relative to the group of products; and, a motor for driving the carriage. The carriage mounts a roll of film and a pre-stretching unit that includes a pair of rollers and a transmission and control roller that swings towards and away from the products and is designed to start or stop film feed according to its position relative to the products. The drive mechanism for the pre-stretching unit includes a kinematic chain including the motor and a drive take-off track. An engage/release unit is connected to and controlled by the transmission roller and designed to transmit drive from the take-off track to the pre-stretching rollers according to the position of the transmission roller.

Abstract: Intraindividual variability has been shown in many studies to be well structured over time and capable of predicting a wide range of behaviors. This study provides analyses of weekly variations of health and activity measurements in a sample (N = 52) of elderly persons (mean age = 77.5, SD = 7.2). The three main goals and results entailed: 1. Assessing the reliable nature of a health and an activity factor through a metric invariant confirmatory factor model; 2. Assessing the independence of intraindividual variability from level information and showing that the amount of intra-person variability during the first and second half of data collection correlate very highly; 3. Showing that intraindividual variability information of health and activity scores is superior to level information in predicting mortality.

Abstract: Although many studies have examined issues relevant to reporting child maltreatment to state authorities, empirical evaluation of intervention programs to assist professionals in reporting child abuse is lacking. In the present study, a medical student was taught to perform a standardized behavioral method of reporting child abuse that incorporates nonperpetrating caregivers of child abuse victims in the reporting process. A controlled multiple baseline across behaviors (i.e., initiating child abuse report, responding to upset) experimental design was utilized to evaluate skills acquisition. Improvements in interpersonal skills related to reporting child abuse were demonstrated consequent to intervention. Future directions are discussed in light of these results.

Abstract: Objectives: While much attention has been focused on unintended pregnancy in disadvantaged populations, few studies have focused on women in lower risk groups This study, conducted in a national managed care organization, reports the prevalence of unintended pregnancy resulting in live births and examines associated factors Methods: Women ages 18–49 who delivered a live infant during a 6-month interval were eligible for the study Telephone surveys were conducted after delivery We report the rate of unintended pregnancy resulting in a live birth, and describe its association with sociodemographic and pregnancy-related factors, partner's intention status, and contraceptive use Results: Of 1173 births, 29% were unintended Women who reported that the partner did not want the pregnancy were 74 times more likely than women whose partner wanted the pregnancy to regard the pregnancy as unintended Only 40% of the women with an unintended birth used birth control and 64% of those used less effective methods such as condoms and diaphragms Conclusions: In a population where the majority of women were married, educated, and with incomes over $40,000, almost 1/3 of the births resulted from unintended pregnancies Future research is needed to help us better understand contradictions in pregnancy intention and contraceptive behavior Comprehensive efforts are needed to promote consistent and correct use of contraception by women at risk for unintended pregnancy, and to involve male partners in family planning

Abstract: A method for wrapping groups of products with stretch film comprises the following steps: forming groups of products having a front and a longitudinal dimension that follows a line of feed; placing a first wrapping on the group of products to form a package that holds the products together; expelling the package thus obtained along the feed line; turning the package through an angle of 90°; placing over the first wrapping a second stretch film wrapping on the package thus obtained, the second wrapping having at least one narrowed strap-like segment surrounding a part of the package. The invention also relates to an apparatus that implements this method and the package obtained using the method.

Abstract: A method for wrapping groups of products with stretch film comprises the following steps: forming groups of products having a front and a longitudinal dimension following a line of feed; winding a stretch film unrolled from a first roll around a plurality of stretching rods positioned inside a film wrapping area and along the product group line of feed; forming a first tubular portion of stretch film; stretching the portion of film by moving the plurality of stretching rods to create an access area, whose transversal dimension is larger than the front, for a single group of products moving along the feed line; releasing the film portion to allow the portion to shrink and thus wrap over the group of products and thus wrapping it; expelling the wrapped package thus obtained onto the feed line.

Abstract: The objective of this observational study was to determine whether providing physicians with a roster and tracking tool improves fulfillment of nationally recognized American Diabetes Association guidelines for their patients with diabetes. Administrative data were used to identify all members in a health maintenance organization (HMO) over 20 years of age with a diagnosis of diabetes, excluding gestational diabetes. Using Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS®; National Committee for Quality Assurance) data, the patients of the intervention group were compared with a group of patients whose physicians did not receive a roster and tracking tool. Measures that were evaluated were: glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) testing, HbA1c control, dilated retinal exam, lipid profile, lipid control, and nephropathy screen. The intervention group showed statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) as compared with the non-intervention group in all measures except dilated retinal exams. This study show...

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping groups (1) of products with film (2) comprises a first conveyor surface (4) which carries product (5) to a second surface (6) for group (1) forming and group (1) wrapping, using means (7), with a portion of film (2), the apparatus comprising, in combination, a film (2) feed unit (8); means (7) for wrapping the group (1) of products consisting of at least one crosspiece (10) which supports and guides the portion of film (2), and adjusting means (12) acting at least on the single bar (11) and designed to allow rotation of the crosspiece (10) between a first, active trajectory (T1) extending over the second surface (6), and a second, return trajectory (T2) extending under the second surface (6).