ABSTRACT
Concern with environmental issues such as global climate change has stimulated research into the development of more environmentally friendly technologies and energy sources. One critical area of our economy is liquid transportation fuels. This article presents the results of the biodegradability potential of newly developed engineered fuels and compares the results to the biodegradability of conventional fuels and alternative fuels in current use. Biodegradability potential was determined under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Fuels that have a high degree of components derived from renewable sources proved to have a higher degradability potential than those composed of petroleum components.
Subject(s)
Energy-Generating Resources , Ethanol , Fuel Oils , Biodegradation, Environmental , Carbon Dioxide/analysis , Climate , Environmental Pollution/prevention & control , Gasoline , Oxygen/analysis , TransportationABSTRACT
Fatigue is a common and distressing symptom following cancer treatment. Research examining "off-treatment" fatigue has been weakened by limited assessments of fatigue and lack of suitable comparison groups. The extent of off-treatment fatigue following treatment for breast cancer (BC) was examined. Women with BC (n = 88; mean, 28 months posttreatment) and age-matched women (n = 88) with benign breast problems (BBP), completed a set of fatigue questionnaires at an Initial assessment and a 4-month Follow-up assessment. The BC group reported more fatigue, more weakness, and less vitality relative to the BBP group at both assessments. No relationship was found in the BC group between fatigue and extent of treatment or time since treatment completion. While the results document the existence of off-treatment fatigue following BC, elucidation of the psychobiological processes underlying this symptom and development of clinical management strategies remain as challenges for future research.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Fatigue/psychology , Sick Role , Survivors/psychology , Adult , Aged , Biopsy, Needle , Breast Diseases/pathology , Breast Diseases/psychology , Breast Diseases/therapy , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Combined Modality Therapy , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/psychology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Health Status , Humans , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Psychophysiologic Disorders/diagnosis , Psychophysiologic Disorders/psychology , Quality of Life , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Great interest in predictive testing for hereditary cancer syndromes has been reported. Prior research has focused on testing for specific hereditary syndromes and/or among individuals at high risk for positive carrier status. Given anticipated expansion of both the range of hereditary syndromes for which testing will be available, as well as the clinical settings in which testing will occur, assessment of interest in hereditary cancer risk testing and notification in the general public is warranted. METHODS: As part of an annual statewide telephone survey, adults' (N = 654) interest in hereditary cancer risk testing and notification was assessed. RESULTS: Interest in both risk testing (82%) and risk notification (87%) was high. Logistic regression analyses indicated that disinterest in risk notification was associated with female sex, performance of fewer health protective behaviors, and better perceptions of personal health. Disinterest in risk testing was associated with these same variables as well as older age, less concern over developing cancer, and a more extensive history of cancer in first degree relatives. CONCLUSION: In the absence of risk-reducing behaviors with demonstrable efficacy, hereditary risk testing programs may have difficulty attracting the interest of those at greatest risk for carrier status. In contrast, many individuals at low risk for positive carrier status might seek testing, perhaps as a means of seeking reassurance regarding their low hereditary risk.
