Stepladder accidents continue to be a major cause of injury at home and at work. Despite this, few changes have been seen in their design or their labelling. Many of the accidents occurring appear to be whilst the stepladder is being utilised in a manner which the user considers reasonable, but the manufacturer considers abuse. This work, sponsored by the Health and Safety Executive, investigates whether this mismatch can be eliminated in order to improve safety. The research combines user profiling with dynamic trials to establish what behaviour stepladders need to sustain. Through innovative measuring techniques, the demands on the stepladder system are quantified and the margin of safety calculated. Extensive dynamic trials generated data for over 4000 user, stepladder and task combinations. Individuals were given demanding tasks, but permitted to undertake them in a manner they considered reasonable and the resulting data can be considered as representative of the demands they would place on stepladders in everyday use. From this data, the stepladder and user system has been modelled, allowing manipulation of the stepladder parameters such that a virtual stepladder can be created which provides sufficient stability to tolerate all reasonably foreseeable use. In addition this model is used to generate predictive software which can determine the level of safety provided by real, or theoretical, stepladders. In conclusion, a specification for a simple test is given which could be routinely conducted to determine whether any given stepladder will offer the minimum level of stability considered necessary for safe use.

Many veterinarians recommend using a "Quality of Life Scale" to help pet caregivers assess their aging or terminally ill pet's condition. Having a semi-objective scale can help you when your pet is ill and you are confused or worried that you might not be thinking clearly enough to make a proper decision on your pet's behalf. Dr Alice Villalobos, a renowned veterinary oncologist, created a scale for assessing quality of life called the HHHHHMM Scale: Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility and More Good Days than Bad. Talk with your pet's primary care veterinarian or one of GVR's veterinarians on the proper use and interpretation of the scale, or for questions about assessing your pet's condition. Here is a link to Dr. Villalobos' scale: http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-newscolumns/bond-beyond/quality-of-life-scale.aspx In-Home EuthanasiaAccording to the Veterinary Practice Act of Georgia, only a licensed veterinarian can perform euthanasia of an animal. It is also important to have a skilled, licensed veterinarian available in the rare event that complications occur. The following veterinarians offer in-home euthanasia services; if you have utilized the services of any of the following and are willing to confidentially share your experience, or have another service to recommend, please speak with one of GVR's veterinarians. Compassionate Care Veterinary Services (Karen Jordan, DVM) www.drjmobilevet.com (770) 876-4144 Gentle Touch Home Veterinary Care: north Metro Atlanta (Christi Jones, DVM) www.gentletouchhomevetcare.com (770) 709-8899 Healing Hands Mobile Veterinary Service (Darryl Brown, DVM) www.healinghandsvet.com (404) 867-4081 Sweet Dreams (Amy Crowder, DVM; Adele Hendrix, DVM) www.sweetdreamsmypet.com (770) 880-1596 continued... Transitions Home Euthanasia (M.G. McReynolds, DVM) www.transitionshomeeuthanasia.com (404) 522-1001 Pet CrematoriesMany times veterinarians will arrange for a crematory to pick up a pet's body for cremation if the client has elected to have his or her pet's body cremated. However, some crematories allow clients to bring the pet's body to the crematory themselves if they prefer, or might offer to pick up the body. We recommend that you phone ahead to inquire about the policy of your veterinarian and the crematory.

This study investigated deliberate self-harm (DSH) in young inmates. The objectives are twofold: first, to identify the social and clinical characteristics of inmates who commit DSH; and secondly, to ascertain the types of personality who are vulnerable in order to be able to predict future inmates who may harm themselves. A cross-sectional design was used to study psychosocial correctional personality characteristics and clinical pictures in inmates with DSH versus a control group without DSH. The measures used to evaluate different variables were a standard protocol and a self-report questionnaire (MCMI-II). Although the two groups compared are homogeneous and similar in terms of different psychosocial variables, inmates with DSH presented a significant background of maltreatment. Borderline, passive-aggressive, and antisocial personality disorders best discriminated both groups. The detection of borderline, negativistic, and antisocial disorders may help the medical services of penitentiary centers to predict youths with a possible risk of DSH. Despite the results obtained, longitudinal studies are needed to help clarify other risk factors, as well as other risk factors leading to self-harm behavior.