The geomechanical classification SMR (Slope Mass Rating) enables the preliminary assessment of the susceptibility of rock slopes to failure. The SMR index is obtained from Bieniawski’s basic RMR (Rock Mass Rating) through an “adjustment factor” and an “excavation factor”. Since its appearance in 1985, this classification has been used for appraisals and preliminary studies in many countries. Th...

We earlier reported benefits for creativity in rehearsed music performance from alpha/theta (A/T) neurofeedback in conservatoire studies (Egner & Gruzelier, 2003) which were not found with SMR, Beta1, mental skills, aerobics or Alexander training, or in standby controls. Here the focus was the impact on novice music performance. A/T and SMR training were compared in 11-year old school children ...

A cohort of 537 workers employed for less than one year between 1900 and 1964 in the Geneva perfumery industry was followed up from entry to the end of 1983. During the period of study, 251 workers died and 41 (8%) were lost to follow up. The standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was significantly above 100 for all causes (SMR = 120), all cancers (SMR = 127), lung cancer (SMR = 186), and violent d...

OBJECTIVES Adverse effects of waste management represent a public health issue. Mortality meta-analysis in Italian National Priority Contaminated Sites (NPCSs) with industrial waste landfills or illegal dumps is presented. METHODS 24 NPCSs include industrial waste landfills or illegal dumps. Class 1 (10 NPCSs with industrial waste landfills) and Class 2 (14 NPCSs with illegal dumps) were cate...

Mortality among 610 people with Crohn's disease identified in a population based study from 1972-89 was assessed. In Europeans the overall mortality was not increased, the standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was 71.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 49 to 101). The SMR in South Asians was 0, (95% CI 0 to 1590). The SMR varied with the site of disease (chi 2 (4) = 10.5, p < 0.05) and was highest in ...

OBJECTIVE Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology might contribute to rehabilitation of motor function. This speculation is based on the premise that modifying the electroencephalographic (EEG) activity will modify behavior, a proposition for which there is limited empirical data. The present study asked whether learned modulation of pre-movement sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) activity can affect ...

We investigated seasonal variation in sleeping metabolic rate (SMR) and the possible relation to body composition, thyroid activity, and leptin. Twenty-five healthy volunteers were examined four times during the year: in spring (April, May), summer (July, August), autumn (October, November), and winter (January, February). Body composition was determined using a three-compartment model based on...

The use of neurofeedback as an operant conditioning paradigm has disclosed that participants are able to gain some control over particular aspects of their electroencephalogram (EEG). Based on the association between theta activity (4-7 Hz) and working memory performance, and sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) activity (12-15 Hz) and attentional processing, we investigated the possibility that training ...

OBJECTIVES To explore a suspected hazard of lung cancer in butchers and cooks. METHODS 4018 male butchers and 2062 male cooks were identified from the 1961 census of England and Wales. 4857 (79.9%) of these men were traced through the National Health Service Central Register, and 3518 deaths were recorded during follow up to the end of 1992. Mortality from lung cancer and other causes was com...

BACKGROUND Although the Irish farming population is a significant occupational group, analysis of their mortality patterns is limited. This study compared mortality trends with other occupational groups and assessed the impact of socio-economic factors. METHODS Population and mortality data (2000-06) were obtained to calculate standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) by cause of death and matched...