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Biomedical subjects

H Biggs

Publications and source records attributed to H Biggs.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Using remote sensing to predict outbreaks of Oestrus ovis in Namibia.

The Directorate of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development of Namibia issues warnings to farmers in the south of the country about the likelihood of infestation of small-stock by the nasal bot fly, Oestrus ovis. Farmers can then treat their stock at the most appropriate time. The O. ovis puparia develop at shallow depths in the soil and the timing of emergence is directly dependent on climate conditions, specifically the number of degree-days above a particular threshold soil temperature. Based on temperature measurements from only a few stations scattered throughout the country, the veterinary department warnings lack precision in space and time. This paper presents an attempt to support the programme of warnings with accumulated temperature information from Meteosat satellite images, in order to strengthen predictions of the time of emergence in specific places, and to improve the precision and reliability of warnings given to farmers.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Job-related tension, self-esteem and psychological distress in rehabilitation professionals.

We examined perceptions of job-related tension among a non-random sample of 52 New Zealand rehabilitation service providers. We considered the relations between job tension and psychological distress and the extent to which feelings of self-esteem moderated this relationship. Major findings are that (a) there is a consistent positive relationship between job tension and general psychological distress; (b) there is a consistent negative relationship between self-esteem and both job tension and general distress; (c) self-esteem moderates the effect of job tension on general distress in that high levels of job tension were associated with increases in psychological distress among respondents with low self-esteem while among respondents with high-self esteem, job-related tension had little negative impact on feelings of psychological distress. Despite a number of limitations, the findings have a number of important implications for professional functioning among rehabilitation service providers and highlight the need for appropriate staff development and training initiatives which focus specifically on service provider wellbeing.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Biting pattern and host-seeking behavior of Anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidae) in northeastern South Africa.

Biting rhythm as well as vertical and horizontal distribution of host-seeking Anopheles arabiensis Patton was studied at a remote warm-water spring in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, which usually is devoid of human presence. An. arabiensis seeking hosts were collected throughout the night with several peaks, often with greatest biting activity during the predawn period. Abundance did not decline linearly as a function of distance from the breeding area, but was related to vegetation patterns. Most bites occurred on the ankles or feet and decreased rapidly above that height. Wearing closed shoes or raising feet off the ground could reduce vector contact and therefore the risk of malaria infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Contextual issues for vocational placement coordinators: some preliminary findings.

While vocational placement is seen as an important component of the rehabilitation process, the experience of being a vocational placement officer has not been well documented in New Zealand. In the present study, previously developed and validated measures of occupational stress (defined as responsibility pressure, quality concern, role conflict, and job vs non-job conflict) and general life satisfaction were completed by 16 vocational placement officers employed by the Accident Compensation Corporation. Subjects also completed two open-ended questions assessing significant stresses in their work and strategies whereby stress could be reduced. There were high negative correlations between job stress and life satisfaction, and subjects reported particularly high levels of role conflict in their work. Open-ended stresses identified by subjects included: time pressure/workload problems; difficulties with negative societal and employer attitudes to disability; problems with clients, and; personal motivation problems. Most strategies for stress reduction that were identified were concerned with creating more effective communication and decision making processes in the organizational environment. Problems and limitations of the present study are addressed and future research directions are identified.

Aged↗
PubMed1975

New Colorimetric reaction for end-point, continuous-flow, and kinetic measurement of urea.

A reaction of urea, o-phthalaldehyde and N-(1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine is described for measurement of urea by manual, continuous-flow, and kinetic methods. The continuous-flow system requires 25 mu-l of sample; 40 samples can be analyzed per hour. The kinetic method requires no enzymes, has no lag phase, and has good sensitivity. A major advantage of the reaction is that it occurs at a temperature of 37 degrees C or lower. The results obtained by all three methods agree well with those for a continuous-flow procedure in which diacetyl is a reagent.

Aldehydes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A perspective on occupational concerns of rehabilitation service providers.

While the roles, functions and personality characteristics of rehabilitation service providers have been widely researched, much less is known about the correlates and consequences of occupational stress in these groups. In the present study measures of occupational stress, job tension, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and affective well-being were completed by 52 rehabilitation service providers drawn from a range of agencies in New Zealand. Respondents also completed two open-ended questions assessing significant stresses in their work and strategies whereby stress could be reduced. There were consistently high negative correlations between job stress and job satisfaction. The correlations of job tension with overall life satisfaction and affect were generally significant. Surprisingly there was no significant relationship between job satisfaction and general life satisfaction. There were some significant associations between job satisfaction and ratings of affect, but the pattern of results was inconsistent. Open-ended stresses identified by subjects included time pressure/workload problems, interpersonal issues, agency-created problems, and problems keeping up with the implications, for rehabilitation, of rapidly changing Government policy. Strategies for stress reduction that were identified involved more resources, training and skills; intra-agency reorganization and more effective management and communication; more networking with other professionals; and more stable, realistic and caring Government policy. Limitations of the study and future research directions were identified.

Adult↗