bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac index as a surrogate marker for anxiety in pediatric patients undergoing ambulatory endoscopy: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Mai Christine L , Burns Sara , August David A , Bhattacharya Somaletha T , Mueller Ariel , Houle Timothy T , Anderson Thomas A , Peck Jacquelin
Published: September 2024

Objective. Pediatric patients undergoing medical procedures often grapple with preoperative anxiety, which can impact postoperative outcomes. While healthcare providers subjectively assess anxiety, objective quantification tools remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate two objective measures—cardiac index (CI) and heart rate (HR) in comparison with validated subjective assessments, the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) and the numeric rating scale (NRS).

Approach. In this prospective, observational cohort study, children ages 5–17 undergoing ambulatory endoscopy under general anesthesia underwent simultaneous measurement of objective and subjective measures at various time points: baseline, intravenous placement, two-minutes post-IV placement, when departing the preoperative bay, and one-minute prior to anesthesia induction.

Main Results. Of the 86 enrolled patients, 77 had analyzable CI data and were included in the analysis. The median age was 15 years (interquartile range 13, 16), 55% were female, and most were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status 2 (64%), and had previous endoscopies (53%). HR and CI correlated overall (r = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.69; p < 0.001), as did NRS and mYPAS (r = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.44; p < 0.001). The correlation between HR and CI was stronger with NRS (r = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.29; p < 0.001; and r = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.19; p < 0.001, respectively) than with mYPAS (r = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.11; p = 0.046; and r = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.14; p = 0.006, respectively). The correlation with mYPAS for both HR and CI varied significantly in both direction and magnitude across the different time points.

Significance. A modest yet discernable correlation exists between objective measures (HR and CI) and established subjective anxiety assessments.
The Star Formation Histories, Star Formation Efficiencies and Ionizing Sources of ATLASGAL Clumps with H ii Regions
Authors: Zhou J. W. , Dib Sami , Kroupa Pavel
Published: September 2024

1226 ATLASGAL clumps with H ii regions (H ii-clumps) were matched with radio sources in the CORNISH-North/South surveys, and 392 of them have corresponding radio sources. We determined the stellar luminosity L
*,T84 according to the Lyman continuum flux N
Ly. When the bolometric luminosity of H ii-clumps is less than log10(L
bol,obs/L
⊙) ≈3.7, corresponding to a clump mass log10(M
cl/M
⊙) ≈ 2.55, the values of L
*,T84 derived from N
Ly overestimate the actual stellar luminosities, because the accretion onto the protostars contributes significantly to the radio emission. After subtracting the accretion luminosity from L
*,T84, we obtained reasonable estimates of the stellar luminosity. Using the 0.5 Myr isochrone, we calculated the stellar masses according to the stellar luminosities, and found that they roughly follow the

m

max

−

M

ecl

relation of embedded clusters, consistent with the ionizing sources representing the most massive stars in the embedded clusters of H ii-clumps. We also studied the contribution of the possible flaring activity to the observed stellar luminosity and found that they can be neglected. We further studied the change of SFE with the clump mass. According to the derived mass of the most massive star in each HII-clump, using the theoretical

m

max

−

M

ecl

relation, we calculated the mass of the corresponding embedded cluster and then the SFE of the clump. The SFE decreases with increasing clump mass, with a median value of ≈0.3. We also independently derived the SFE for each H ii-clump based on the model developed in our previous work. The SFEs of H ii-clumps derived from the observation and the model are in good agreement. Concerning the star formation histories of the ATLASGAL clumps, low-mass clumps may reach the peak of star formation earlier than high-mass clumps, consistent with the shorter free-fall time of low-mass clumps.
A rapid demodulation method for the interference spectrum of optical fiber sensors based on machine learning
Authors: Yue-Yu Xiao , Xin-Yu Xu , Yan-Xiang Lai
Published: September 2024

Interferometric optical fiber sensors based on wavelength demodulation play an important role in the field of high-precision measurements. Generally used wavelength tracking method is based on the locations of feature wavelengths (peaks or valleys), and a long time of spectrum scanning and demodulation is required. A rapid demodulation method based on machine learning is proposed in this paper, and a more efficient demodulation of the interference spectra of optical fiber sensors is achieved. It is demonstrated by numerical simulations and experiments that the demodulation performances of the machine learning method are far better than those of the wavelength tracking method when the sampling intervals are sparse. Under a certain accuracy requirement (coefficient of determination larger than 0.9900 and mean square error less than 0.10), the machine learning based method can demodulate the interference spectra with a maximum sampling interval of 8 nm or a minimum wavelength range of 8 nm without feature wavelengths. The demodulation speed can be therefore improved to 400 times that of the wavelength tracking method.
Critical needs to close monitoring gaps in pan-tropical wetland CH4 emissions
Authors: Zhu Qing , Yuan Kunxiaojia , Li Fa , Riley William J , Hoyt Alison , Jackson Robert , McNicol Gavin , Chen Min , Knox Sara H , Briner Otto , Beerling David , Gedney Nicola , Hopcroft Peter O , Ito Akihito , Jain Atul K , Jensen Katherine , Kleinen Thomas , Li Tingting , Liu Xiangyu , McDonald Kyle C , Melton Joe R , Miller Paul A , Müller Jurek , Peng Changhui , Poulter Benjamin , Qin Zhangcai , Peng Shushi , Tian Hanqin , Xu Xiaoming , Yao Yuanzhi , Xi Yi , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Wenxin , Zhu Qiuan , Zhuang Qianlai
Published: September 2024

Global wetlands are the largest and most uncertain natural source of atmospheric methane (CH4). The FLUXNET-CH4 synthesis initiative has established a global network of flux tower infrastructure, offering valuable data products and fostering a dedicated community for the measurement and analysis of methane flux data. Existing studies using the FLUXNET-CH4 Community Product v1.0 have provided invaluable insights into the drivers of ecosystem-to-regional spatial patterns and daily-to-decadal temporal dynamics in temperate, boreal, and Arctic climate regions. However, as the wetland CH4 monitoring network grows, there is a critical knowledge gap about where new monitoring infrastructure ought to be located to improve understanding of the global wetland CH4 budget. Here we address this gap with a spatial representativeness analysis at existing and hypothetical observation sites, using 16 process-based wetland biogeochemistry models and machine learning. We find that, in addition to eddy covariance monitoring sites, existing chamber sites are important complements, especially over high latitudes and the tropics. Furthermore, expanding the current monitoring network for wetland CH4 emissions should prioritize, first, tropical and second, sub-tropical semi-arid wetland regions. Considering those new hypothetical wetland sites from tropical and semi-arid climate zones could significantly improve global estimates of wetland CH4 emissions and reduce bias by 79% (from 76 to 16 TgCH4 y−1), compared with using solely existing monitoring networks. Our study thus demonstrates an approach for long-term strategic expansion of flux observations.
Uncovering disparities in water-based outdoor recreation using cell phone mobility data
Authors: Zhang Wendong , Wan Xibo , Fan Wenran , Ji Yongjie
Published: September 2024

Outdoor recreation plays a pivotal role in improving people’s physical and mental health, serving as a popular form of entertainment and a significant economic contributor. Limited access to these resources not only exacerbates health disparities but also deprives underserved areas of essential benefits like stress relief and community bonding, both of which are crucial for enhancing overall quality of life. This paper provides one of the first detailed analyses of water-based recreation at over 61 000 inland and coastal sites across the United States. We aim to explore disparities in recreational behavior across race, ethnicity, income, and socioeconomic status. Using Advan cellphone data from more than 70 million outdoor trips, representing 215 000 census block groups, we find that communities of color, rural areas, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups are significantly underrepresented in water-based recreational visits. Despite living similar distances from recreational sites, these groups show notably different patterns in travel distance for water-based recreation. Additionally, we find Native Americans from underserved areas have to travel 3–5 times longer distances than other groups for water-based recreation. Our findings show that the extensive and frequent cellphone mobility data could reveal policy-relevant patterns especially those made by underserved Americans often overlooked in traditional household surveys.
Experimental Study of Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Polymer Composite
Authors: Gc V , Joshi R , Giri H , Sujakhu S , Shah M
Published: September 2024

Numerous studies and research projects have been conducted to develop natural fiber polymer composites. The researcher and engineers develop a composite by reinforcing natural fiber with a polymer that exhibits the desired mechanical properties. The experiment determines the composite’s mechanical properties, such as tensile, compression, flexural, and impact strength. This paper presents the experimental study of the natural fiber-reinforced composite, where hemp and jute fibers were reinforced with epoxy polymer as the test specimens for the experiment. The primary approach involved fabricating composite samples with fiber-weight fractions and matrix compositions. Then the appropriate sample is experimented with for its tensile strength, compression strength, and impact strength. Another property of the composite’s the composite’s water absorption was investigated through a water absorbability test. Key results show that composites containing a 30% weight fraction of natural hemp fiber demonstrated promising mechanical properties. This composite showed a tensile strength of 50 MPa, a compression strength of 55.6 N/m2, an impact strength of 58.9 kJ/m2, and a water absorbability of 7%. These results may offer valuable insight into the mechanical behavior of natural fiber composites, which can be used to optimize material design and engineering applications. Understanding the limitations and strengths of these composites allows for informed decision-making in selecting appropriate materials for specific engineering projects.
Backtesting of value at risk estimation methods for energy commodity trading: evaluating performance and identifying the optimal approach
Authors: Silwal N , Giri S R
Published: September 2024

This paper focuses on the application of Value at Risk (VaR) estimation techniques in the context of energy commodity trading, with a specific emphasis on the NYMEX (NG) and Title Transfer Facility (TTF) natural gas index. The primary point of this study is to break down and assess the VaR assessment strategies and recognize the most reasonable methodology. Historical price data for these commodities were collected, and forward prices were generated using a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) forecasting model. A portfolio comprising Future and Forward contracts for both NG and TTF index was constructed and three VaR estimation approaches: Variance-Covariance, Historical Simulation, and Monte Carlo Simulation were employed. Backtesting was then performed using the metric Quadratic Probability Score (QPS) to determine the optimal approach. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted to evaluate the variation in the estimated VaR values. The VaR values were determined using all three methods at different confidence interval and their backtesting was performed. The study found that the Monte Carlo Simulation approach outperforms other methods for estimating VaR in risk-averse trading scenarios with lowest QPS. It also underscores the need to consider individual contract risks within a portfolio, suggesting that diversification alone might not suffice in mitigating those risks.
Techno-Economic Feasibility Study of Solar Powered Rural Community Heat Grid System in Langtang
Authors: Ghimire M , Dahal P , Bhandari S , Kandel R , Niroula Y , Pandit S , Shrestha S , Shah M
Published: September 2024

Langtang, a popular tourist destination in Nepal’s northern Himalayas, relies heavily on solid fuels like coal, wood, and LPG, accounting for 99.3% of its energy demand. This reliance is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. The proposed study provides a green alternative by utilizing heat that would otherwise be squandered with benefits including avoided cost of energy, through which the use of surplus and wasted heat energy, and reduced investment in individual household or building heating equipment. This paper conducts a feasibility study to assess technical and economic viabilities of introducing a solar water heater reinforced rural heat grid network in the region. The technical feasibility of this system is determined using TRNSYS and Polysun to see if the proposed system provide at least 60% solar fraction in all seasons, while economic analysis is conducted using Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) and discounted payback period. A pilot project was carried out for five households for demonstration, which showed that the heating demand of each house could be met by 40 different 15-tube solar collectors, resulting in energy savings of 2,28,000 kWh and reducing 25,423 kgs of CO2 annually. The financial analysis revealed a BCR of 1.45 and a payback period of 14 years, showing that heat grid network is techno-economically viable for rural communities of Nepal.
Investigating the potential advancements for electric vehicle charging technologies through various converters topology
Authors: N S Jayalakshmi , Sathe Madhurika , Pandey Anubhav Kumar , Jadoun Vinay Kumar
Published: September 2024

In the era of various automobiles, petrol and diesel vehicles proved to be the best-suited means of transportation. However, the adverse impacts of these fuels on the atmosphere have propelled the world to approach and promote electrified transportation. It is essential to comprehensively discuss various integral aspects of Electric Vehicles (EVs) especially the battery technology, battery charging schemes, standards and management. This paper discusses the importance of various new technologies proposed for the fast charging of EVs in which a detailed analysis of one such attractive and promising technology i.e., Solid-State Transformers (SST) built EV charging station. The work also reviews ample of versatile options available for the user, offered by charging systems that can handle high-power charging. The cost-effective technology, efficient power transfer, compactness and flexibility is a promising solutions for fast charging technology in which the integral parts are rectifiers and DC-DC converters which are given due emphasis in this study. These components are unidirectional and bidirectional, with simple or complex controls. A detailed discussion of these various topologies is discussed for suitable and maximum utilization of the charging system. The technologies that can offer vehicle-to-grid (V2G) enabled bidirectional power transfer, connectivity and metering suitability are discussed. These various challenges are addressed, including the development of charging technologies and infrastructure to make it easily accessible to its users. Further, a detailed discussion on the types and parts of SST involving various charging methods in line with their advantages and limitations is emphasized.
Assessing hidden corrosion in AZ91 magnesium alloy via infrared thermography in simulated atmospheric acid rain conditions
Authors: L Yadhu Balakrishna , K Janani Archana , K Arjun , Balasubramanian Karthikeyan
Published: September 2024

Magnesium alloys have garnered significant attention in the aerospace and marine industries due to their exceptional mechanical properties, including low density and a high strength-to-weight ratio. Despite these advantages, their widespread adoption is hindered by susceptibility to corrosion, particularly under harsh environmental conditions. While considerable research has focused on uniform surface corrosion of magnesium alloys, studies addressing hidden corrosion remain limited. Hidden corrosion is a critical defect that can severely compromise the structural integrity of aging aircraft. In this study, the hidden corrosion behavior of the AZ91 magnesium alloy was explored using infrared thermographic non-destructive testing. Seven blind holes were drilled into the surface of the alloy, which was then exposed to simulated acid rain for ten days to examine the effects of corrosion. The rate of corrosion in the drilled samples was observed to be slightly higher compared to bare samples, likely due to the accumulation of acid in the crevices. Changes in the initial and final hole dimensions and volume were used to determine the corrosion rate, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms governing hidden corrosion in magnesium alloys. This work offers a deeper understanding of hidden corrosion, with potential implications for improving the longevity and safety of critical aerospace and marine components.
J.R.R. Tolkien: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Townend Matthew
Published: September 2024

J. R. R Tolkien: A Very Short Introduction provides a compact overview and analysis of the life and works of J. R. R. Tolkien, who wrote two of the most extraordinary and influential books of the twentieth century. For millions of readers in the modern world, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings have offered a form of re-enchantment, and have opened a door to myth and fairy tales, and to the discovery of fantasy literature. This VSI offers an accessible and authoritative guide to the full range of Tolkien’s extensive writings, including his posthumously published work. It examines the writings of Tolkien in the time and context of their composition, and explores Tolkien’s characteristic ideas, preoccupations, and artistry.
Elegy
Authors: Townend Matthew
Published: September 2024

This chapter explores how many of J. R. R. Tolkien’s works are characterized by a deep sense of loss. It examines how Tolkien’s war experiences affected his writings, and presents some of the many ways in which The Lord of the Rings in particular is marked by an elegiac sense of time, exile, and the vanished past. The chapter further explores Tolkien’s Christian preoccupation with failure, ‘fallenness’, and pity. It concludes by looking at Tolkien’s idea of the ‘eucatastrophe’ or happy ending, a feature of fairy tales which he views as fundamentally Christian, and which, in his own works, he re-presented to modern culture in a new and influential form.
Grass leaf structural and stomatal trait responses to climate gradients assessed over the 20th century and across the Great Plains, USA
Authors: Donnelly Ryan C , Nippert Jesse B , Wedel Emily R , Ferguson Carolyn J
Published: September 2024

Abstract. Using herbarium specimens spanning 133 years and field-collected measurements, we assessed intraspecific trait (leaf structural and stomatal) variability from grass species in the Great Plains of North America. We focused on two widespread, closely related grasses from the tribe Paniceae: Dichanthelium oligosanthes subsp. scribnerianum (C3) and Panicum virgatum (C4). Thirty-one specimens per taxon were sampled from local herbaria from the years 1887 to 2013 to assess trait responses across time to changes in atmospheric [CO2] and growing season precipitation and temperature. In 2021 and 2022, the species were measured from eight grasslands sites to explore how traits vary spatially across natural continental precipitation and temperature gradients.

Δ13C increased with atmospheric [CO2] for D. oligosanthes but decreased for P. virgatum, likely linked to increases in precipitation in the study region over the past century. Notably, this is the first record of decreasing Δ13C over time for a C4 species illustrating 13C linkages to climate. As atmospheric [CO2] increased, C:N increased and δ15N decreased for both species and %N decreased for D. oligosanthes. Across a large precipitation gradient, D. oligosanthes leaf traits were more responsive to changes in precipitation than those of P. virgatum. In contrast, only two traits of P. virgatum responded to increases in temperature across a gradient: specific leaf area (increase) and leaf dry matter content (decrease). The only shared significant trend between species was increased C:N with precipitation. Our work demonstrates that these closely related grass species with different photosynthetic pathways exhibited various trait responses across temporal and spatial scales, illustrating the key role of scale of inquiry for forecasting leaf trait responses to future environmental change.
NASTRA: accurate analysis of short tandem repeat markers by nanopore sequencing with repeat-structure-aware algorithm
Authors: Ren Zilin , Zhang Jiarong , Zhang Yixiang , Yang Tingting , Sun Pingping , Xue Jiguo , Bo Xiaochen , Zhou Bo , Yan Jiangwei , Ni Ming
Published: September 2024

Short-tandem repeats (STRs) are the type of genetic markers extensively utilized in biomedical and forensic applications. Due to sequencing noise in nanopore sequencing, accurate analysis methods are lacking. We developed NASTRA, an innovative tool for Nanopore Autosomal Short Tandem Repeat Analysis, which overcomes traditional database-based methods’ limitations and provides a precise germline analysis of STR genetic markers without the need for allele sequence reference. Demonstrating high accuracy in cell line authentication testing and paternity testing, NASTRA significantly surpasses existing methods in both speed and accuracy. This advancement makes it a promising solution for rapid cell line authentication and kinship testing, highlighting the potential of nanopore sequencing for in-field applications.
White matter variations in congenital adrenal hyperplasia: possible implications for glucocorticoid treatment
Authors: Luders Eileen , Spencer Debra , Gaser Christian , Thankamony Ajay , Hughes Ieuan A , Srirangalingam Umasuthan , Gleeson Helena , Kung Karson T F , Cabeen Ryan P , Hines Melissa , Kurth Florian
Published: September 2024

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia has been reported to manifest with white matter aberrations. However, many previous studies included only small samples, restricted their analyses to females, lacked a control group and/or did not correct for brain size. Here, we examined the largest sample to date, comprising 53 male and female participants with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, who were matched with 53 male and female controls in terms of sex, age, education, and verbal intelligence. The four groups were compared with respect to their total white matter as well as white matter hyperintensities while applying brain size corrections. For both measures, total white matter and white matter hyperintensities, there were no significant sex differences or group-by-sex interactions. However, individuals with congenital adrenal hyperplasia had significantly smaller total white matter volumes compared to controls. Our findings align with previous reports of white matter variations in congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The absence of a group-by-sex interaction suggests that white matter variations in congenital adrenal hyperplasia may not be attributable to prenatal androgens. Instead, they may be a result of the condition itself and/or its treatment with glucocorticoids. The latter aspect warrants follow-up, particularly given that glucocorticoids are employed not only in congenital adrenal hyperplasia but also in other medical conditions.
Short and Long-term Body Weight Change Following the Switch to or the Addition of Integrase Inhibitors in Persons With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Differs by Sex
Authors: Lahiri Cecile D , Mehta C Christina , Yang Qian , Maramba Tsungirirai , Musonge-Effoe Joffi , Yang Chin-An , Dumond Julie B , Alcaide Maria L , Lake Jordan E , Rubin Leah H , French Audrey L , Cocohoba Jennifer , Kassaye Seble G , Sharma Anjali , Palella Frank J , Mellors John , Konkle-Parker Deborah , Topper Elizabeth , Augenbraun Michael , Ali Mohammed K , Sheth Anandi N , Ziegler Thomas R , Ofotokun Igho , Alvarez Jessica A
Published: September 2024

Background

Sex-specific, long-term, body weight change in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) following switch to regimens containing integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) is unknown.

Methods

We compared PWH enrolled in the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (2007–2020) who switched/added an INSTI to their antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen to those remaining on non-INSTI ART and to people without human immunodeficiency virus (PWOH), by sex. Follow-up time was time since switch visit (or comparable visit in controls). Linear regression mixed-effects models assessed the effects of sex, group, and time upon weight and anthropometric measurements.

Results

Of 3464 participants included, women (411 INSTI, 709 non-INSTI, 818 PWOH) compared to men (223 INSTI, 412 non-INSTI, 891 PWOH) were younger (47.2 vs 54.5 years), were majority non-Hispanic Black (65% vs 23%), and had higher mean body mass index (31.5 vs 26.9 kg/m2), respectively. Women switching to INSTIs experienced greater absolute and percentage weight gain compared to men at 5 years: +3.0 kg (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1–3.9) versus +1.8 kg (95% CI, .7–2.9) and +4.6% (95% CI, 3.5%–5.7%) versus +2.3% (95% CI, 1.0%–3.6%), respectively ([sex × time × group interaction, P < .01). Compared to men, women switching to INSTIs experienced greater hip and thigh circumference gain at 5 years: +2.6 cm (95% CI, 1.6–3.6) versus +1.2 cm (95% CI, .3–2.1) and +1.5 cm (95% CI, .7–2.2) versus −0.2 cm (95% CI, −.9 to .5), respectively.

Conclusions

Weight change among PWH over 5 years after switch to INSTI was 2-fold higher in women than men. The cardiometabolic implications of this difference in weight gain remain unknown.
Circadian heart rate fluctuations predict cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in type 2 and type 1 diabetes: a 21-year retrospective longitudinal study
Authors: Nesti Lorenzo , Chiriacò Martina , Sacchetta Luca , Moriconi Diego , Santoni Lorenza , Pugliese Nicola Riccardo , Gallo Simone , Cimbalo Noemi , Forotti Giovanna , Chiriacò Giuliano , Leonetti Simone , Natali Andrea , Solini Anna , Tricò Domenico
Published: September 2024

Aims

Circadian heart rate (HR) fluctuations are associated with cardiovascular health. We examined their relationship with microvascular disease and long-term survival in patients with diabetes.

Methods and results

In this secondary analysis from the CHAMP1ON cohort of 497 adults with metabolic disease, 349 participants who had type 1 or type 2 diabetes, baseline 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and HR monitoring (ABPM), and survival data over a 21-year observational follow-up were included. Clinical features, microvascular complications, and mortality rates were examined in participants with low circadian HR fluctuations [24-h HR standard deviation (SD) below the median of 30.4] and blunted nocturnal HR dip (<10%). Low 24-h HR SD and blunted nocturnal HR dip were associated with an adverse cardiometabolic risk profile and 12–23% higher prevalence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy and nephropathy. After 6251 person-year follow-up [21.0 (14.0–21.0) years], a total of 136 (39%) deaths occurred, of which 100 (68%) of cardiovascular cause. The low 24-h HR SD group had a higher risk for both cardiovascular [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30–3.08, P = 0.002] and all-cause mortality (aHR 1.61, 95% CI 1.13–2.29, P = 0.009), compared with high 24-h HR SD. Similarly, patients with blunted nocturnal HR dip had a higher risk for cardiovascular (aHR 1.63, 95% CI 1.08–2.46, P = 0.019) and all-cause mortality (aHR 1.69, 95% CI 1.20–2.38, P = 0.003), compared with those with preserved nocturnal HR dip.

Conclusion

Impaired circadian HR fluctuations are associated with microvascular disease and long-term cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in diabetes. The ABPM-derived HR measures may provide a widely available and inexpensive risk stratification tool in this high-risk population.
222 Creating a healthy culture through the promotion of physical activity in the university environment
Authors: Pardo-Fernández Alba , Castells Anna , Oliva Irati
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Healthy Campus is a 7-year project to enhance health and lifestyle behaviours of the Tecnocampus community (Pompeu Fabra University). Healthy Campus includes a students’ commission and staff Health Ambassadors. Using the peer methodology in University community improves the level of Physical Activity (PA) habit acquisition and health.

Methods

The strategic plan is evaluated annually using indicators such as activities’ participation and satisfaction. We implement a survey to assess health and lifestyles of the university community.

PA has been promoted mainly through the celebration of World PA Day (DMAF), being the first Catalan university certified in the promotion of bicycles, healthy messages in the building, creation of outdoor Urban health park and sports events. Volunteers students were trained as Health-Agents to co-design and promote different PA actions. PA promotion also has been included in academic curriculum.

In staff, activities of different exercise intensities have been promoted to satisfy different needs and preferences. Workers attend focus groups to detect needs and thus improve interventions in their colleagues.

Results

In the 7 years of the project, 260 actions based on PA promotion has been developed. 165 volunteer students participated in the project and 25 staff health ambassadors participated in Focus-group. A total of 7,373 attended at conferences, courses or workshops. 2200 students participated in World PA Day. 700 staff participate in PA workshops, coursed and activities. 21 academic curricula subjects include PA promotion. This project work together with external entities such as City Council, sports clubs, senior residences, schools, hospitals.

Conclusions

What greatly differentiates this project is the transversality, the peer methodology, the inclusion of PA promotion in academic curriculum and the PA promotion at multiple levels and environments: education, workplace and community level.

The creation of health ambassadors among equals empowers in a very relevant way the objectives of health promotion and PA. In conclusion, it is crucial to train students to be health-conscious citizens who in the future will have the opportunity to promote health in the general population and will influence their lifestyles. And also to create staff ambassadors who spread healthy PA habits.

Support/Funding Source

Without financing
144 Generations Uniting through Movement - Good practices on intergenerational physical activity programs
Authors: Van Holland Berry , Erkoca Hilal , Mombarg Remo
Published: September 2024

The GUM project aimed to use traditional games, movement and sports as one way of promoting intergenerational relations and increased HEPA by setting up an innovative and sustainable GUM program including the creation of a European platform and network on EU Generations Uniting through Movement, a training tool for practitioners and trainers and a GUM app for both youth and elderly.

The concept for the GUM program was to identify, recruit, train and support a cohort of experienced practitioners who will facilitate local-scale collaboration projects between youth and elderly to increase their participation in health-enhancing physical activity and sport. For this purpose the project partners identifyied working principles for those activities (report, factsheet).

These principles served as basis for the development of an online training tool allowing practitioners all over Europe to follow the 7 modules in their own time. The training tool works on multiple aspects: 1) illustrate goals, principles and components of an intergenerational movement and physical activity program, 2) design and deliver a successful GUM program, 3) apply and develop digital literacy as support to GUM offer (using GUM app).

The miMove GUM app allows users to keep track of their activities and communicate with other users and GUM program facilitators. The GUM app has been designed to be used by both elderly and youth allowing them to engage through fun activities. It was also designed to co-create activities by facilitation of GUM program practitioners/trainers. It consists of step-by-step intergenerational movement activity examples selected by the GUM project partners.

GUM project partners have already established a European GUM network, but are also reaching out to partners across Europe and the rest of the world to join the network and exchange knowledge and experience regarding intergenerational HEPA programs.

Several products have been finalized and implemented in practice. Among them are a research report on guiding principles for intergenerational programs, a factsheet for practitioners, a training tool for practitioners and an app for practitioners and end-users. Furthermore, an online platform for the European GUM network has been realized. All these products will help to organize intergenerational HEPA programs.
113 Physical Activity for Health Pilot: Making Physical Activity inclusive for people living with chronic conditions
Authors: Burke Louise
Published: September 2024

Physical Activity for Health (PAFH) is a pilot initiative funded by Sláintecare in collaboration with Sport Ireland where 6 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) across the country house a PAFH Officer. Limerick, Longford, Wexford, Wicklow, Waterford and Mayo LSPs were selected for the PAFH pilot and have PAFH officers in post since July 2023.

The LSPs were established in 2001 to help people get active and remove barriers to participation in sport and physical activity. The LSPs aim to create opportunities for all members in the community to be more active with a focus on moving people from inactivity to activity and traditionally focused on people in target groups like women and girls, and people with disabilities. It is now recognised that people living with a chronic condition is a target group that can be reached through the PAFH officer.

The aim of the pilot is to improve pathways for those living with chronic conditions to engage in community based physical activity. The PAFH Officer will bridge the gap that exists for those with a chronic condition who have left the healthcare system and are unable to participate in current LSP programmes. The aim is to ensure that those who need more attention and care will be looked after within these physical activity programmes until they are ready to engage in community based physical activity.

The PAFHOs have engaged with many key stakeholders across the health service, voluntary sector and third level institutions to date and will continue to further expand on this work going forward. The 6 PAFH Officers are in post as of July 2023 and have engaged directly with the public with delivery of programmes by exercise professionals trained to work in this space.

Example of the programmes being delivered include MoveWell: Breathe Well | Limerick Sports Partnership and Walking for Chronic Conditions/Longford Sports Partnership. MoveWell: Activator Walking for Neuro Conditions | Limerick Sports Partnership

The presentation at HEPA will outline the journey to date, lessons learned and the impact of the PAFH pilot on its participants.
217 The Irish Sports Monitor 2011-2023: Data Driven Insights - The Story So Far
Authors: Lacey Eric , Cullen Benny
Published: September 2024

First published in 2007 the Irish Sports Monitor (ISM) is a long-established survey providing an ongoing measurement of sports participation in Ireland. Led by Benny Cullen, director of Research and Innovation at Sport Ireland (SI), the ISM examines both recreational and competitive sport, as defined in the National Sports Policy (2018-2027). The ISM survey’s over 8,000 respondents annually, providing an important monitoring instrument for governmental policy makers while also acting as a critical reference point for many within the academic field of sports and social science in Ireland.

While the study focuses primarily on active sports participation it also provides important insights on club membership, volunteering, event attendance as well as broader physical activity including recreational walking, walking for transport and cycling for transport. More recently Sport Ireland researchers have embarked upon an ambitious data harmonisation journey using input from the ISM and other SI publications, combining over a decade of research datasets into one large ‘data lake’. This new development has enhanced the analytical capability of the organisation allowing for improved cross sectional time series analysis of the datasets. This new approach has helped uncover new insights into how sport and physical activity behaviours change and evolve in a population over time. Sport Ireland have also integrated census data and population projections from Ireland’s central statistics office to the ‘data lake’, which is being used to develop models of the future sport and physical activity behaviours and participation rates in Ireland, out to 2050. The insights from Sport Ireland’s research and the recently developed data lake are being used to assist in the design and development of innovative sport and physical activity programmes, identify and target marginalised communities and inform local and national policy makers on the emergent trends in the Irish sporting landscape. This presentation will demonstrate how a data guided tracking of changes in population dynamics and demographics can help us project and model future levels of sport and physical activity related behaviours. The potential for the development of an integrated multi-national database, built on a harmonised approach to data collection, will also be discussed.
156 ’Cycle-IN’ Student facilitated cycle skills training for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities: An applied case study
Authors: Byrd Erin , McDermott Gary , Taggart Laurence , McMonagle Clare
Published: September 2024

Purpose

In an effort to address the discrepancies in opportunities for children and young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to develop fundamental skills and confidence riding a bicycle, a 12-week collaborative interdisciplinary student-led cycling programme ‘Cycle-IN’ was developed by Ulster University Faculty of Life and Health Sciences and Foyle Down Syndrome Trust.

Methods

Framed within interpretive phenomenology, and drawing upon interviews conducted with the young cyclists, student facilitators, organisation staff and parents, this case study explores the lived experiences of the Cycle-IN programme and evaluates whether the programme is in fact assisting children with IDD (n = 10) to become more confident cyclists, and supporting the professional development of sport and health science student’s (n = 11) competence and confidence to work with children with additional challenges.

Results

Results of this programme demonstrate an overall acceptability of the programme from multiple perspectives. Attendance at sessions was high for both children (M = 83.3% ± 19.7) and student volunteers (84.2% ± 10.0). Mean percentage improvement in cycle skills was 42.6% (±29.4) with mean percentage of basic cycle skills attained 61.6% (±34.3). Qualitative evaluation of the programme identified 1) the challenges and opportunities of the programme, 2) inputs and outputs necessary for sustainable implementation of the programme, and 3) overall recommendations for programme development and scalability into additional contexts, from the perspective of the children, students, organisation staff and parents or caregivers.

Conclusion

This case study presents a novel approach to supporting physical activity and fundamental motor skill development in children with IDD, as well as providing undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage with populations who face additional challenges and barriers to movement. Practice implications are presented in relation to the fidelity of the programme, as well as the sustainability and scalability of such interventions across contexts.

Support/Funding Source

This project was delivered through the Cycle-IN programme at Ulster University and supported by Foyle Down Syndrome Trust.
68 6200-6700 steps per day are associated with better health and wellbeing among working-aged adults a
Authors: Husu Pauliina , Vähä-Ypyä Henri , Tokola Kari , Sievänen Harri , Vasankari Tommi
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Physical activity (PA) is important for health and wellbeing, and the number of steps is one indicator of ambulatory PA. Guidelines of PA needed for health and wellbeing exist, but the adequate number of daily steps is equivocal. This study aimed at identifying potential step cut-points for selected indicators of health and wellbeing.

Methods

The study is based on combined data from two cross-sectional population-based FinFit studies that measured physical behavior, including the daily number of steps, by a triaxial hip-worn accelerometer (UKK RM42) among 20-69-year-old adults. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to analyze potential cut-points for steps in relation to measured waist circumference and blood lipids, as well as perceived health status, and physical and mental quality of life. The optimal cut-point was defined as the point closest to (0,1)-corner in the ROC plane.

Results

Participants (n = 4302, mean age 50.4(SD 13.2) years, 62% women) used the accelerometer for at least 4 days, 24h/day, and took on average 7308 steps per day. The mean waist circumference was 97 cm in males and 88 cm in females. Mean values for total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were 5.1, 3.1, 1.7, and 1.2 mmol/l, respectively. Most (87%) of the participants perceived their health status as at least good, and 51% reported their physical and mental quality of life to be on at least a median level.

Waist circumference, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, perceived health status, and both physical and mental quality of life showed a statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001) association with the daily step number. The area under the curve values ranged from 0.53 (mental quality of life) to 0.65 (perceived health). The optimal step cut points ranged from 6123 steps for good perceived health status to 6618 steps for recommended HDL cholesterol.

Conclusions

Working-aged adults should take at least 6200-6700 steps per day to have recommended waist circumference, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides, to perceive their health as good, and to have at least a medium level of quality of life.

Funding source

the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture
220 A Comparative Analysis of Academic and Policymaker Priorities in Physical Activity Policy and Its Infrastructure Support
Authors: Volf Kevin , Connaughton Oisin , Woods Catherine
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Physical activity (PA) researchers regularly seek to impact public policy. However, policymakers may perceive the relevance of policy evidence differently to researchers, thus causing a barrier to research utilization. The Physical Activity Environment Policy Index (PA-EPI) is a 45-indicator policy assessment tool, designed to be used in collaboration with policymakers, to assess both PA policies themselves and also the infrastructure that supports their implementation. This study aimed to identify which of the PA-EPI indicators were rated most important for increasing population levels of PA, and if there was consensus or differences in opinion between academics and policymakers.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis on data collected from academic experts and policymakers as part of the development of the PA-EPI. Policymakers (n = 40) and academics (n = 50) were asked to rate the importance of each of the 45 PA-EPI indicators on a 10-point Likert scale (1= not at all important to 10 = extremely important for increasing population levels of PA). Differences between the mean importance ratings of policymakers and academics were tested using the Mann Whitney U test.

Results

Mean importance ratings of policymakers and academics were strongly correlated (r = 0.82, p < 0.001 for PA policies themselves and r = 0.77, p = < .001 for policy infrastructure support). Academics rated every indicator higher compared to policymakers, except for the two indicators of the Mass Media subdomain. The indicator receiving the highest level of importance for both policymakers and academics was in the transport domain (Indicator T01). Three indicators were rated significantly different in the domains of Urban Design (indicator UD03; p = 0.027), Funding and Resources (FR03; p = 0.014) and Health in all Policies (HIAP02; p = 0.039).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that policymakers and academics have similar perceptions of the importance of a range of different physical activity policy indicators. These findings present a challenge to theories of research utilization which propose that policymakers and academics are separate, isolated groups with differing views of the evidence supporting different policy propositions.