bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Pseudocereals Preferment Made with Aromatic Yeast Strains for Enhancing Wheat Bread Quality
Authors: Păucean Adriana , Man Simona Maria , Chiş Maria Simona , Mureşan Vlad , Pop Carmen Rodica , Socaci Sonia Ancuţa , Mureşan Crina Carmen , Muste Sevastiţa
Published: September 2019

Usually, aromatic yeasts are designed to ferment wheat substrates for baking purposes but identification of new substrates for these strains and consequently new formulations for dough could lead to diversified bakery products with improved nutritional qualities and specific sensorial properties. The purpose of our study was to optimize the fermentation of quinoa and amaranth flours with non-conventional yeast strains in order to obtain a preferment with high potential in enhancing nutritional, textural and sensorial features of white wheat bread. Two biotypes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast—a wine yeast strain and a beer yeast strain—commercialized for their aromatic properties were used. Both aromatic yeast strains revealed good performance on fermenting pseudocereal substrates. Utilization of the obtained preferment in white wheat breadmaking led to bread with higher protein, fibres, mineral, total polyphenols content, with specific texture and aroma profile and high consumers’ acceptability.
Taste Sensitivity Is Associated with Food Consumption Behavior but not with Recalled Pleasantness
Authors: Puputti Sari , Hoppu Ulla , Sandell Mari
Published: September 2019

As taste perception varies between individuals, it might be important in explaining food consumption behavior. Previous studies have focused on sensitivity to the bitter tastant PROP (6-n-propylthiouracil) concerning eating with little attention paid to other tastants. For the first time, connections between food consumption behavior, pleasantness, and taste sensitivity are studied with five taste modalities. Sensitivity to bitterness, sourness, umami, saltiness, and sweetness as well as an overall taste sensitivity score was determined with intensity evaluation for 199 Finnish adults. Recalled pleasantness and food consumption behavior were enquired with online questionnaires. Consumption concerned intake of vegetables, fruits, and berries; use-frequency of specific foods; and tendency to mask or modify tastes of foods. All modality-specific taste sensitivities were related to some consumption behavior but none to recalled pleasantness. A higher taste sensitivity score indicated avoidance of coffee, lower consumption of pungent foods, and a more frequent habit of adding ketchup to a meal. In conclusion, it may be more informative to study the influence of taste sensitivity on food consumption behavior with taste modalities separately rather than with a general indicator of taste sensitivity. Additionally, these results highlight the importance of studying actual behavior toward food and not just liking.
Evidence for Early European Neolithic Dog Dispersal: New Data on Southeastern European Subfossil Dogs from the Prehistoric and Antiquity Ages
Authors: Yankova Iskra , Marinov Miroslav , Neov Boyko , Petrova Maria , Spassov Nikolai , Hristov Peter , Radoslavov Georgi
Published: September 2019

The history of dog domestication is still under debate, but it is doubtless the process of an ancient partnership between dogs (Canis familiaris) and humans. Although data on ancient DNA for dog diversity are still incomplete, it is clear that several regional dog populations had formed in Eurasia up to the Holocene. During the Neolithic Revolution and the transition from hunter-gatherer to farmer societies, followed by civilization changes in the Antiquity period, the dog population structure also changed. This process was due to replacement with newly formed dog populations. In this study, we present for the first time mitochondrial data of ancient dog remains from the Early Neolithic (8000 years before present (BP)) to Late Antiquity (up to 3th century AD) from southeastern Europe (the Balkans). A total of 16 samples were analyzed, using the mitochondrial D-loop region (HVR1). The results show the presence of A (70%) and B (25%) clades throughout the Early and Late Neolithic Period. In order to clarify the position of our results within the ancient dog population in Eneolithic Eurasia, we performed phylogenetic analysis with the available genetic data sets. This data showed a similarity of the ancient Bulgarian dogs to Italian (A, B, and C clades) and Iberian (clades A and C) dogs’ populations. A clear border can be seen between southern European genetic dog structure, on the one hand, and on the other hand, central-western (clade C), eastern (clade D) and northern Europe (clades A and C). This corresponds to genetic data for European humans during the same period, without admixture between dog populations. Also, our data have shown the presence of clade B in ancient Eurasia. This is not unexpected, as the B haplogroup is widely distributed in extant Balkan dogs and wolves. The presence of this clade both in dogs and in wolves on the Balkans may be explained with hybridization events before the Neolithic period. The spreading of this clade across Europe, together with the A clade, is related to the possible dissemination of newly formed dog breeds from Ancient Greece, Thrace, and the Roman Empire.
Telomere Length Changes during Critical Illness: A Prospective, Observational Study
Authors: Zribi Benjamin , Uziel Orit , Lahav Meir , Mesilati Stahy Ronit , Singer Pierre
Published: September 2019

Objective: evaluation of telomere length change in acutely ill adult patients. Design: Blood samples were drawn on the first and seventh day of intensive care unit (ICU) stay to assess telomere length using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technique. Demographic data collected included age, weight, admission diagnosis, baseline laboratory values (pH, C- reactive protein (CRP), serum albumin level, white blood cell count (WBC) count, platelet count), and baseline SOFA and APACHE II scores. Additional data collected during the ICU stay included a repeated WBC count, the presence of positive blood cultures and outcome data, including death in the ICU or following discharge, whether ventilated or not at ICU discharge, and destination following discharge, i.e., medical ward or rehabilitation. Setting: General ICU in tertiary hospital. Patients: Forty patients admitted to the ICU within 72 h of hospital admission suffering from an acute illness were included in this prospective, observational study. Main results: Of the 40 patients studied, telomere shortening was noted in 21, telomere lengthening in 11, and no significant change in the other eight. The age of patients demonstrating telomere shortening was statistically significantly younger (45.4 vs. 61.5 years, p < 0.023) compared to those showing increased telomere length. In addition, a significant correlation was observed between the difference in telomere length and the corresponding difference in WBC count (telomere shortening was associated with a decreased WBC count and vice versa). A trend toward shortening was seen in patients with sepsis (p = 0.07). No significant correlations were found for any other demographic or outcome parameter and changes in telomere length. Conclusion: Changes in telomere length, both shortening and lengthening, were evident in the acute setting, but no associations between such changes with outcome were noted. Further studies in more homogeneous groups of patients appear to be warranted.
Pressure Dependence of Magnesite Creep
Authors: Millard Joseph W. , Holyoke Caleb W. , Wells Rachel K. , Blasko Cole , Kronenberg Andreas K. , Raterron Paul , Braccia Casey , Jackson Nicholas , McDaniel Caleb A. , Tokle Leif
Published: September 2019

We determined the activation volumes (V*) for polycrystalline magnesite with grain sizes of 2 and 80 µm deforming by low temperature plasticity (LTP) mechanisms (kinking and dislocation glide), diffusion creep, and dislocation creep at temperatures of 500, 750, and 900 °C, respectively, and a strain rate of 1–2 × 10−5 s−1 at effective pressures of 2.9–7.5 GPa in a D-DIA and 0.76 GPa in a Griggs apparatus. In each set of experiments performed at a given temperature, the strength of magnesite increases with increasing pressure. Microstructures of fine-grained magnesite deformed at 500 °C and 750 °C are consistent with deformation by LTP mechanisms and diffusion creep, respectively. Microstructures of coarse-grained magnesite deformed at 900 °C are consistent with deformation by dislocation creep. Pressure dependencies of magnesite flow laws for LTP, diffusion creep, and dislocation creep are given by activation volumes of 34 (± 7), 2 (± 1), and 10 (± 5) × 10−6 m3/mol, respectively. Addition of these activation volumes to previously determined flow laws predicts magnesite strength to be much lower than the flow strength of olivine at all subduction zone depths of the upper mantle. Thus, subducting oceanic lithosphere that has been partially carbonated by reaction with CO2-bearing fluids may deform at lowered stresses where magnesite is present, possibly resulting in strain localization and unstable run-away shear.
Cytomorphological Characterization of Individual Metastatic Tumor Cells from Gastrointestinal Cancer Patient Lymph Nodes with Imaging Flow Cytometry
Authors: Winter Marnie , Gibson Rachel , Ruszkiewicz Andrew , Thierry Benjamin
Published: September 2019

The presence or absence of tumor cells within patient lymph nodes is an important prognostic indicator in a number of cancer types and an essential element of the staging process. However, patients with the same pathological stage will not necessarily have the same outcome. Therefore, additional factors may aid in identifying patients at a greater risk of developing metastasis. In this proof of principle study, initially, spiked tumor cells in rat lymph nodes were used to mimic a node with a small cancer deposit. Next, human lymph nodes were obtained from cancer patients for morphological characterization. Nodes were dissociated with a manual tissue homogenizer and stained with fluorescent antibodies against CD45 and Pan-Cytokeratin and then imaging flow cytometry (AMNIS ImageStreamX Mark II) was performed. We show here that imaging flow cytometry can be used for the detection and characterization of small numbers of cancer cells in lymph nodes and we also demonstrate the phenotypical and morphological characterization of cancer cells in gastrointestinal cancer patient lymph nodes. When used in addition to conventional histological techniques, this high throughput detection of tumor cells in lymph nodes may offer additional information assisting in the staging process with therapeutic and prognostic applications.
The Associations between Mental Well-Being and Adherence to Physical Activity Guidelines in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: Results from the Scottish Health Survey
Authors: Salman Ahmad , Sellami Maha , AL-Mohannadi Abdulla Saeed , Chun Sungsoo
Published: September 2019

The association between physical activity (PA) and mental well-being in individuals with a cardiovascular disease (CVD) is poorly studied. The objective of this study was to assess the association between mental well-being and adherence to the recommended guidelines for PA in a Scottish adult population with CVD. The study used data from 3128 adults who had CVD conditions (1547 men and 1581 women; mean age 63.29 years) who participated in the Scottish Health Survey between 2014 and 2017. The Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) was used as a surrogate measure of mental health. PA was classified as “met” or “unmet” on the basis of the recommended PA guidelines (150 min of moderate activity or 75 min of vigorous activity per week). The relationship between PA guidelines being met and the WEMWBS score was explored using hierarchical linear regression accounting for a set of health and sociodemographic characteristics. Of the participants, ~41.8% met the recommended PA levels. Among those with CVD, the mean (SD) WEMWBS scores of individuals who did not have a long-standing illness (51.14 ± 7.65 vs 47.07 ± 9.54; p < 0.05), diabetes (48.44 ± 9.05 vs 46.04 ± 10.25; p < 0.05), or high blood pressure (48.63 ± 9.08 vs 47.52 ± 9.47; p < 0.05) were significantly higher than those of individuals with such conditions. Meeting PA recommendations was significantly associated with a higher mean WEMWBS score (50.64 ± 7.97 vs 46.06 ± 9.75; p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis of health-related behaviors improved the prediction of mental well-being over and above meeting the recommended PA levels. Mental well-being was strongly correlated with PA adherence in CVD patients. It seems that for patients with CVD, PA should be tailored to meet patients’ health conditions in order to promote mental well-being and improve overall health.
Investigation of a Gas Hydrate Dissociation-Energy-Based Quick-Freezing Treatment for Sludge Cell Lysis and Dewatering
Authors: Kim Woojeong , Lee Hyung Kae , Kwon Young-Nam
Published: September 2019

A gas Hydrate dissociation-energy-based Quick-Freezing treatment (HbQF) was applied for sewage sludge cell rupture and dewatering. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) molecules in sewage create CO2 gas hydrates, and subsequently the sludge rapidly freezes by releasing the applied pressure. Cell rupture was observed through a viability evaluation and leachate analysis. The decreased ratios of live cell to dead cells, increased osmotic pressure, and increased conductivity showed cell lysis and release of electrolytes via HbQF. The change in physicochemical properties of the samples resulting from HbQF was investigated via zeta potential measurement, rheological analysis, and particle size measurement. The HbQF treatment could not reduce the sludge water content when combined with membrane-based filtration post-treatment because of the pore blocking of fractured and lysed cells; however, it could achieve sludge microbial cell rupture, disinfection, and floc disintegration, causing enhanced reduction of water content and enhanced dewatering capability via a sedimentation post process. Furthermore, the organic-rich materials released by the cell rupture, investigated via the analysis of protein, polysaccharide, total organic carbon, and total nitrogen, may be returned to a biological treatment system or (an) aerobic digester to increase treatment efficiency.
Session-To-Session Variations of External Load Measures of Youth Soccer Players in Medium-Sided Games
Authors: Clemente Filipe Manuel , Rabbani Alireza , Kargarfard Mehdi , Nikolaidis Pantelis Theodoros , Rosemann Thomas , Knechtle Beat
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was to analyze the variability of time-motion variables during five vs. five games when completed within the same session as, and between, two different sessions. Ten under-19 male soccer players (18.27 ± 0.47 years old) participated in this study. The five vs. five matches (3 × 5 min) were played twice with a 3-day interval of rest in the same week. Moderate between-session variations were observed for TD (total distance) (range coefficient of variation (CV), 6.9; 8.3%, confidence interval (CI), (5.0; 14.0), standardized typical error (STE), 0.68; 1.06, (0.64; 1.75)) and RD (running distance) (range CV, 53.3; 145.7%, (36.6; 338.9), STE, 0.83; 1.09, (0.60; 1.76)). PL (player load) showed small variations (range CV, 4.9; 6.0%, [3.6; 10.1], STE, 0.37; 0.43, (0.27; 0.71)). In within-session analyses for examining the differences between sets, a small decrease was observed in RD in set 3 versus set 2 (−14.8%, 90% CI (−32.1; 6.9%); standardized difference (ES): −0.39 (0.95; 0.16)). TD decreased with moderate (−3.5%, (−6.8; −0.1%); ES: −0.65(−1.30; −0.01)) and large (−8.2%, (−11.4; −4.9%); ES: −1.58(−2.24; −0.92)) effects in sets 2 and 3, respectively, versus set 1. Our results suggest that PL is the most stable performance variable. It was also verified that measures had a progressive decreasing tendency within a session.
Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Food with Information on Animal Welfare, Lean Meat Essence Detection, and Traceability
Authors: Xu Lingling , Yang Xixi , Wu Linhai , Chen Xiujuan , Chen Lu , Tsai Fu-Sheng
Published: September 2019

Amid high-profile food scares, health concerns and threats of information imperfection and asymmetry, the Chinese pork industry faces increasing demands from consumers for assurances regarding quality and production methods in both the domestic and export markets. Using a real choice experiment (RCE), 316 consumers in Wuxi, located in China’s Jiangsu Province, were randomly surveyed to examine the impact of various factors (e.g., traceability, lean meat essence testing, animal welfare, appearance, and price) on consumers’ preference and willingness to pay (WTP) for pork products. A random parameter logit model was estimated, and the results show that having a traceable code is the second important factor after price for consumers, corresponding to a WTP of 4.76 yuan per catty, followed by a bright red appearance, a national stocking density standard of animal welfare, and detected no lean meat essence, corresponding to a WTP of more than 2 yuan per catty. In addition, there is a complementary interrelationship between a traceable code and a bright red appearance, detected no lean meat essence, and a national stocking density standard of animal welfare. The results concerning the latent class model (LCM) indicate that 56.9% of consumers are “quality-focused” consumers who are willing to pay a high price for traceable code, detected no lean meat essence, a national stocking density standard of animal welfare, and bright red appearance attributes. A further 28.1% are “price-sensitive” consumers who pay significant attention to the price, and the price that they pay for each product is meagre. The consumers with “preference combination attributes” attach greater value to interaction attributes, such as a traceable code combined with detected no lean meat essence or a bright red appearance and detected no lean meat essence combined with a national stocking density standard of animal welfare or a bright red appearance, accounting for 15% of consumers. The government should improve the traceability system, increase the intensity of lean meat essence testing, promote the welfare level of pigs, and promote public education and publicity on pork quality and safety attributes. Meanwhile, enterprises can formulate “differentiated” pork products, according to different consumer groups, and appropriately increase prices, according to production costs, in order to meet the requirements for pork quality and safety for consumers.
Green Worship: The Effects of Devotional and Behavioral Factors on Adopting Electronic Incense Products in Religious Practices
Authors: Qin Zhenzhen , Song Yao , Jin Yang
Published: September 2019

The Buddhist tradition of incense burning has been practiced in many Asian countries. Prior studies have indicated that frequent exposure to incense smoke is linked to carcinogen-related health issues. However, widespread acceptance of health-friendly electronic incense and rituals remains limited. Based on theories of religious perceptions and health behavior, the present study aims to identify the factors which influence the acceptance of electronic incense burning in religious practices. A between-subjects (105 Buddhist participants) experiment was designed to compare the effects of different incense burners on religiosity, worship intention, perceived self-efficacy, health-promotion intention, and its underlying mechanism. Our results imply that Buddhists tend to show similar religiosity and worship intention in three different scenarios, namely, the usage of a traditional incense burner, an electronic incense burner, and an electronic burner attached with a doctrine reminder. Buddhists also tend to have a higher perceived self-efficacy and higher health-promotion intention when exposed to electronic incense scenarios (either with or without the attached doctrine reminder). The perceived self-efficacy was found to mediate the effect of the incense burning on health-promotion intention. Important implications for public policies are also discussed.
How Raising Tobacco Prices Affects the Decision to Start and Quit Smoking: Evidence from Argentina
Authors: Gonzalez-Rozada Martin , Montamat Giselle
Published: September 2019

We used a two-part model for the estimation of the price elasticity of participation and consumption of cigarettes by the duration of the smoking habit and a continuous-time split-population model for the estimation of prevalence and duration of smoking onset and smoking addiction, allowing for covariates in the participation component of the model. Results: We computed the total price elasticity of consumption of cigarettes by quartiles of addiction and found that for the people located in the lowest quartile of addiction the total price elasticity is around −0.51; while for those located in the highest quartile of addiction this figure is only −0.19. Then, a 10% increase in cigarette prices, via taxes, reduces the consumption of those in the early stages of the addiction by 5% and for those with a longer history of addiction by only 1.9%. Estimating the continuous-time split-population model we found that, at the mean starting age of 15 years, an increase of 10% in real cigarette prices is expected to delay smoking onset by almost two and a half years. On the other hand, the same policy is less effective to reduce the duration of the habit because there is no meaningful relationship between the duration of the smoking habit and the real price of cigarettes.The policy of raising cigarette excise taxes, to increment prices, seems to be more effective to delay smoking onset. On the other hand, the same policy is less effective to reduce the duration of the habit. A policy recommendation that emerges from this evidence is that for people with a developed addiction a combination of increasing taxes and other public health policies, like cessation therapies, could prove more effective.
Effects of Chronic Comorbidities on the Health-Related Quality of Life among Older Patients after Falls in Vietnamese Hospitals
Authors: Vu Hai Minh , Nguyen Long Hoang , Tran Tung Hoang , Pham Kiet Tuan Huy , Phan Hai Thanh , Nguyen Hieu Ngoc , Tran Bach Xuan , Latkin Carl A. , Ho Cyrus S.H. , Ho Roger C.M.
Published: September 2019

Although comorbidities are prevalent in older people experiencing falls, there is a lack of studies examining their influence on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in this population. This study examines the prevalence of comorbidities and associations between comorbidities and HRQOL in older patients after falls in Vietnamese hospitals. A cross-sectional design was employed among 405 older patients admitted to seven hospitals due to fall injuries in Thai Binh province, Vietnam. The EuroQol-5 Dimensions-5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L) was used to measure HRQOL. Socio-demographic characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire, while comorbidities and other clinical characteristics were examined by physicians and extracted from medical records. Multivariate Tobit regression was used to determine the associations between comorbidities and HRQOL. Among 405 patients, 75.6% had comorbidities, of which hypertension and osteoarthritis were the most common. Lumbar spine/cervical spine diseases (Coefficient (Coef.) = −0.10; 95%CI = −0.18; 0.03) and stroke (Coef. = −0.36; 95%CI = −0.61; −0.10) were found to be associated with a significantly decreased EQ-5D index. Participants with three comorbidities had EQ-5D indexes 0.20 points lower (Coef. = −0.20; 95%CI = −0.31; −0.09) in comparison with those without comorbidities. This study underlined a significantly high proportion of comorbidities in older patients hospitalized due to fall injuries in Vietnam. In addition, the existence of comorbidities was associated with deteriorating HRQOL. Frequent monitoring and screening comorbidities are critical to determining which individuals are most in need of HRQOL enhancement.
Intensive Livestock Farming and Residential Health: Experts’ Views
Authors: Eijrond Valérie , Claassen Liesbeth , van der Giessen Joke , Timmermans Danielle
Published: September 2019

The presence of intensive livestock farms in close vicinity to residential areas in the Netherlands is a complex problem characterised by knowledge uncertainty about the effects on residential health, overlapping value-driven concerns and stakeholder diversity. In order to address concerns about the health effects and effectively manage the debate about intensive livestock farming, constructive stakeholder dialogues are encouraged, informed by current scientific insights. We explored the current knowledge, beliefs and concerns of scientific experts, following the mental models approach. A summary expert model was derived from scanning the relevant literature and informed by interviews with 20 scientific experts. The study shows imprecise use of terminology by experts. Moreover, they appear to perceive intensive livestock farming not as a major health problem at least at this moment for neighbouring residents in the Netherlands. Broader themes such as (environmental) unsustainability and biodiversity loss seem a more prominent concern among the experts. Our study questions whether dialogues should only focus on residential health or cover broader values and concerns. However, mental models about risk may differ with other stakeholders, impeding communication. Hence, we will identify other stakeholders’ knowledge, beliefs and value-based concerns in the light of facilitating constructed dialogues between stakeholders.
Comparison of Frailty Screening Instruments in the Emergency Department
Authors: O’Caoimh Rónán , Costello Maria , Small Cliona , Spooner Lynn , Flannery Antoinette , O’Reilly Liam , Heffernan Laura , Mannion Edel , Maughan Anna , Joyce Alma , Molloy D. William , O’Donnell John
Published: September 2019

Early identification of frailty through targeted screening can facilitate the delivery of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and may improve outcomes for older inpatients. As several instruments are available, we aimed to investigate which is the most accurate and reliable in the Emergency Department (ED). We compared the ability of three validated, short, frailty screening instruments to identify frailty in a large University Hospital ED. Consecutive patients aged ≥70 attending ED were screened using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), Identification of Seniors at Risk Tool (ISAR), and the Programme on Research for Integrating Services for the Maintenance of Autonomy 7 item questionnaire (PRISMA-7). An independent CGA using a battery of assessments determined each patient’s frailty status. Of the 280 patients screened, complete data were available for 265, with a median age of 79 (interquartile ±9); 54% were female. The median CFS score was 4/9 (±2), ISAR 3/6 (±2), and PRISMA-7 was 3/7 (±3). Based upon the CGA, 58% were frail and the most accurate instrument for separating frail from non-frail was the PRISMA-7 (AUC 0.88; 95% CI:0.83–0.93) followed by the CFS (AUC 0.83; 95% CI:0.77–0.88), and the ISAR (AUC 0.78; 95% CI:0.71–0.84). The PRISMA-7 was statistically significantly more accurate than the ISAR (p = 0.008) but not the CFS (p = 0.15). Screening for frailty in the ED with a selection of short screening instruments, but particularly the PRISMA-7, is reliable and accurate.
Walking on Water—A Natural Experiment of a Population Health Intervention to Promote Physical Activity after the Winter Holidays
Authors: McGavock Jonathan , Brunton Nicole , Klaprat Nika , Swanson Anders , Pancoe Dave , Manley Ed , Weerasinghe Ashini , Booth Gillian L. , Russell Kelly , Rosella Laura , Hobin Erin
Published: September 2019

Background: Very few experimental studies exist describing the effect of changes to the built environment and opportunities for physical activity (PA). We examined the impact of an urban trail created on a frozen waterway on visitor counts and PA levels. Methods: We studied a natural experiment in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada that included 374,204 and 237,362 trail users during the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 winter seasons. The intervention was a 10 km frozen waterway trail lasting 8–10 weeks. The comparator conditions were the time periods immediately before and after the intervention when ~10 kms of land-based trails were accessible to the public. A convenience sample of 466 participants provided directly measured PA while on the frozen waterway. Results: Most trail users were 35 years or older (73%), Caucasian (77%), and had an annual household income >$50,000 (61%). Mean daily trail network visits increased ~four-fold when the frozen waterway was open (median and interquartile range (IQR) = 710 (239–1839) vs. 2897 (1360–5583) visits/day, p < 0.001), compared with when it was closed. Users achieved medians of 3852 steps (IQR: 2574–5496 steps) and 23 min (IQR: 13–37 min) of moderate to vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) per visit, while 37% of users achieved ≥30 min of MVPA. Conclusion: A winter-specific urban trail network on a frozen waterway substantially increased visits to an existing urban trail network and was associated with a meaningful dose of MVPA. Walking on water could nudge populations living in cold climates towards more activity during winter months.
Centre for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Health (CAPAS-City): A Pyrenean Cross-Cultural Structure to Lead the Way in the Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Multilevel Physical Activity Interventions
Authors: Zaragoza Casterad Javier , Sevil-Serrano Javier , Bois Julien E. , Generelo Eduardo , Lhuisset Léna , Aibar-Solana Alberto
Published: September 2019

This study describes a Pyrenean cross-cultural structure called Centre for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Health (CAPAS-City) that was created to promote physical activity (PA) in Huesca (Spain) and Tarbes (France). The main aim of this centre is to lead the way in the design, implementation, and evaluation of multilevel PA interventions to improve their efficacy and sustainability inside the city. CAPAS-City responds to the main challenges related to multilevel PA interventions, through six guiding principles: (1) promoting sustainability, (2) playing a leadership role, (3) promoting multisectoral partnerships, (4) using evidence-based strategies, (5) promoting integrated knowledge translation, and (6) using a participatory research approach. Five multilevel PA interventions were designed in both cities by CAPAS-City with these principles in mind. Through the example of the Annual MOT Test adapted to bikes, we also illustrate one practical application of the use of these principles, following the Social-Ecological approach, in which the main agents of influence are involved at different levels to encourage cycling. According to the promising results found in this study, CAPAS-City appears to be a structure that is able to respond to the main needs and challenges of multilevel interventions to increase PA levels in the whole population of both cities.
Understanding the Occupational Adaptation Process and Well-Being of Older Adults in Magallanes (Chile): A Qualitative Study
Authors: Palma-Candia Oskarina , Hueso Montoro César , Martí-García Celia , Fernández-Alcántara Manuel , Campos-Calderón Concepción Petra , Montoya Juárez Rafael
Published: September 2019

Background: Aging and longevity are important topics nowadays. Purpose: To describe how older adults perform the occupational adaptation process in the extreme region of Magallanes (Chile), and to identify the factors that might contribute to successful occupational adaptation and well-being. Method: Qualitative study, with a phenomenological interpretative approach. In-depth interviews were carried out with 16 older adults, with high or low levels of well-being, assessed with the Ryff Scale. An inductive content analysis according to Elo and Kyngäs was performed. Findings: Resilience, self-esteem and interdependence with significant others are key elements that promote well-being. Participants develop strategies to minimize the effects of environmental factors. The occupation’s function in terms of socialization, use of time, and social participation is revealed as a conditioning factor of occupational adaptation. Implications: Interventions with older people to achieve a successful occupational adaptation process must take into consideration the commitment to meaningful activities.
Unequal Protective Effects of Parental Educational Attainment on the Body Mass Index of Black and White Youth
Authors: Assari Shervin , Boyce Shanika , Bazargan Mohsen , Mincy Ron , Caldwell Cleopatra H.
Published: September 2019

Background: Parental educational attainment is shown to be protective against health problems; the Minorities’ Diminished Returns theory, however, posits that these protective effects tend to be smaller for socially marginalized groups particularly blacks than whites. Aims: To explore racial differences in the effect of parental educational attainment on body mass index (BMI) in a national sample of US adolescents. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used baseline data of 10,701 (8678 white and 2023 black) 12–17 years old adolescents in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH; 2013). Parental educational attainment was the predictor. Youth BMI (based on self-reported weight and height) was the dependent variable. Age, gender, ethnicity, and family structure were covariates. Race was the focal moderator. Results: Overall, higher parental educational attainment was associated with lower youth BMI. Race, however, moderated the effect of parental educational attainment on BMI, suggesting that the protective effect of parental educational attainment on BMI is significantly smaller for black than white youth. Conclusions: In the United States, race alters the health gains that are expected to follow parental educational attainment. While white youth who are from highly educated families are fit, black youth have high BMI at all levels of parental educational attainment. This means, while the most socially privileged group, whites, gain the most health from their parental education, blacks, the least privileged group, gain the least. Economic, social, public, and health policymakers should be aware that health disparities are not all due to lower socioeconomic status (SES) of the disadvantaged group but also diminished returns of SES resources for them. Black–white health disparities exist across all high socioeconomic status (SES) levels.
Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Somatostatin Analogues: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Reynaert Hendrik , Colle Isabelle
Published: September 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma, one of the most dreaded complications of cirrhosis, is a frequent cancer with high mortality. Early primary liver cancer can be treated by surgery or ablation techniques, but advanced hepatocellular carcinoma remains a challenge for clinicians. Most of these patients have underlying cirrhosis, which complicates or even precludes treatment. Therefore, efficacious treatments without major side effects are welcomed. Initial results of treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with somatostatin analogues were promising, but subsequent trials have resulted in conflicting outcomes. This might be explained by different patient populations, differences in dosage and type of treatment and differences in somatostatin receptor expression in the tumor or surrounding tissue. It has been shown that the expression of somatostatin receptors in the tumor might be of importance to select patients who could benefit from treatment with somatostatin analogues. Moreover, somatostatin receptor expression in hepatocellular carcinoma has been shown to correlate with recurrence, prognosis, and survival. In this review, we will summarize the available data on treatment of primary liver cancer with somatostatin analogues and analyze the current knowledge of somatostatin receptor expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and its possible clinical impact.
Gender, Age and Subjective Well-Being: Towards Personalized Persuasive Health Interventions
Authors: Abdullahi Aisha Muhammad , Orji Rita , Kawu Abdullahi Abubakar
Published: September 2019

(1) Background: Subjective well-being (SWB) is an individual’s judgment about their overall well-being. Research has shown that high subjective well-being contributes to overall health. SWB consists of both Affective and Cognitive dimensions. Existing studies on SWB are limited in two major ways: first, they focused mainly on the Affective dimension. Second, most existing studies are focused on individuals from the Western and Asian nations; (2) Methods: To resolve these weaknesses and contribute to research on personalizing persuasive health interventions to promote SWB, we conducted a large-scale study of 732 participants from Nigeria to investigate what factors affect their SWB using both the Affective and Cognitive dimensions and how distinct SWB components relates to different gender and age group. We employed the Structural Equation Model (SEM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to develop models showing how gender and age relate to the distinct components of SWB; (3) Results: Our study reveals significant differences between gender and age groups. Males are more associated with social well-being and satisfaction with life components while females are more associated with emotional well-being. As regards age, younger adults (under 24) are more associated with social well-being and happiness while older adults (over 65) are more associated with psychological well-being, emotional well-being, and satisfaction with life. (4) Conclusions: The results could inform designers of the appropriate SWB components to target when personalizing persuasive health interventions to promote overall well-being for people belonging to various gender and age groups. We offer design guidelines for tailoring persuasive intervention to increase SWB based on an individual’s age and gender group. Finally, we map SWB components to possible persuasive technology design strategies that can be employed to implement them in persuasive interventions design.
Performance Assessment and Economic Analysis of a Gas-Fueled Islanded Microgrid—A Malaysian Case Study
Authors: Uddin Moslem , Romlie Mohd Fakhizan , Abdullah Mohd Faris
Published: September 2019

In this study, the performance of an islanded gas turbine power generation system in Malaysia was investigated. Considering the low fuel efficiency of the plant during peak and part-load operations, an economic analysis was also carried out, over the period of one year (2017). The case study was conducted on the isolated electrical network of the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), which consists of two gas turbine units with a total capacity of 8.4 MW. Simple performance indicators were developed to assess the performance, which can also be applied to other power stations in Malaysia and elsewhere. Meanwhile, the economy of variable load operations was analyzed using the statistical data of generation, fuel consumption, and loads. The study reveals that the capacity factor of the microgrid in the period was between 52.77–63.32%, as compared to the industrial best practice of 80%. The average plant use factor for the period under review was 75.04%, with a minimum of 70.93% and a maximum of 78.61%. The load factor of the microgrid ranged from 56.68–65.47%, as compared to the international best practice of 80%, while the utilization factor was between 44.22–67.655%. This study further reveals that high fuel consumption rates, due to the peak and part-load operations, resulted in a revenue loss of approximately 17,379.793 USD per year. Based on the present performance of the microgrid, suggestions are made for the improvement of the overall performance and profitability of the system. This work can be valuable for microgrid utility research to identify the most economical operating conditions.
Diverging Effects of Landscape Factors and Inter-Row Management on the Abundance of Beneficial and Herbivorous Arthropods in Andalusian Vineyards (Spain)
Authors: Judt Christine , Guzmán Gema , Gómez José A. , Cabezas José M. , Entrenas José A. , Winter Silvia , Zaller Johann G. , Paredes Daniel
Published: September 2019

Land use at landscape and field scales can increase the diversity and abundance of natural enemies for pest control. In this study, we investigated interactions between landscape elements (semi-natural vegetation, olive orchards, vineyards, other agricultural areas) and inter-row management (vegetation cover vs. bare soil) in relation to arthropod populations in Andalusian vineyards. Arthropods were collected from grapevine foliage in 15 vineyards using suction sampling. Landscape structure was analyzed within a 750 m radius surrounding the studied vineyards. Arthropods were categorized into functional groups (predators, parasitoids, herbivores), and their responses to the most influencing factors were analyzed by likelihood methods and model selection. Of the total of 650 arthropods collected, 48% were predators, 33% herbivores and 19% parasitoids. Numbers of predatory aeolothrips, parasitoids and herbivorous cicadas in the study vineyards decreased with an increased proportion of vineyards in the surroundings. Spider populations in vineyards increased with increasing proportions of other agricultural fields (non-flowering crops) in the surroundings. Semi-natural elements and olive orchards had no influence on the abundance of collected arthropods. We observed synergistic effects between landscape elements and inter-row management. The total numbers of arthropods, herbivores and parasitoids in vineyards benefitted from inter-row vegetation, while spiders benefitted from bare soil. Our findings underline the importance of both surrounding landscape elements and vineyard ground cover management to promote beneficial arthropods for potential natural pest control.
Structuring of Dragonfly Communities (Insecta: Odonata) in Eastern Amazon: Effects of Environmental and Spatial Factors in Preserved and Altered Streams
Authors: Oliveira-Junior José Max Barbosa , Juen Leandro
Published: September 2019

The evaluation of the effects of environmental factors on natural communities has been one of the principal approaches in ecology; although, over the past decade, increasing importance has been given to spatial factors. In this context, we evaluated the relative importance of environmental and spatial factors for the structuring of the local odonate communities in preserved and altered streams. Adult Odonata were sampled in 98 streams in eastern Amazonia, Brazil. The physical features of each stream were evaluated and spatial variables were generated. Only environmental factors accounted for the variation in the Odonata community. The same pattern was observed in the suborder Zygoptera. For Anisoptera, environmental factors alone affect the variation in the community, considering all the environments together, and the altered areas on their own. As the two Odonata suborders presented distinct responses to environmental factors, this partitioning may contribute to an improvement in the precision of studies in biomonitoring. We thus suggest that studies would have a greater explanatory potential if additional variables are included, related to biotic interactions (e.g., competition). This will require further investigation on a finer scale of environmental variation to determine how the Odonata fauna of Amazonian streams behaves under this analytical perspective.
Determining the Initial Orientation for Navigation and Measurement Systems of Mobile Apparatus in Reforestation
Authors: Sokolov Sergey , Novikov Arthur , Ivetić Vladan
Published: September 2019

This paper considers the method of determining the initial orientation of the navigation and measuring complexes of mobile objects. The method is based on analytical gyrocompassing, using angular velocity sensors whose measurements are distorted by additive noise, with a priori uncertain statistical characteristics. The proposed approach requires small computational costs and can be effectively used in the development of high-precision systems of initial orientation of navigation–measurement systems of various mobile objects.
Mixed Logic Dynamic Models for MPC Control of Wind Farm Hydrogen-Based Storage Systems
Authors: Shehzad Muhammad Faisal , Abdelghany Muhammad Bakr , Liuzza Davide , Mariani Valerio , Glielmo Luigi
Published: September 2019

The use of electric power by wind generation in actual grids is hampered by its inherent stochastic nature and the penalty deviations adopted in several electricity regulation markets with respect to power quality requirements. Coupling wind farms with advanced Energy Storage Systems (ESS) can help their integration within grids. In this direction, several studies have been conducted, but the problem is still open due to the constraints and limitations regarding the ESSs time autonomy, time response, degradation issues and overall costs. In order to take into account these relevant aspects, advanced control algorithms are needed. In this paper, a Model-Based Predictive Controller (MPC) is presented. Such a controller minimizes the degradation of the ESS and the load tracking error while fulfilling the operational constraints and dynamics. The ESS considered is hydrogen-based and the study has been developed within the EU-FCH 2 JU (European Union Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking) funded project HAEOLUS aiming at building and integrating advanced control strategies for a hydrogen-based ESS within a wind farm fence. Numerical simulations show the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
A Simulator-Based Comparison of a Novel 3D and a Conventional 3D Vision System-Surgical Performance and Subjective Ratings
Authors: Svenner Annika , Fan Xuelong , Forsman Mikael , Shabo Ivan , Hallbeck M. Susan , Kjellman Magnus
Published: September 2019

In laparoscopy, novel three-dimensional laparoscopic vision systems (3D LVS) without glasses (3D−) have been invented. While standard 3D LVS with glasses (3D+) have shown advantages over original two-dimensional systems, quantitative comparisons of surgical performance between 3D− and 3D+ systems are still lacking. The aim is to compare the systems in simulated robotic surgery tasks. In a crossover study, 18 medical students performed four basic laparoscopic tasks in the validated Simball Box simulator with authentic surgical instruments by using the 3D+ and 3D− systems. Performance was measured by the number of errors and the task’s duration. Subjective ratings of perceptions and preference were assessed after each test. There were significant, but still minor, advantages for the conventional 3D+ system regarding spatial orientation and sense of depth. Overall, ten and eight subjects preferred 3D+ and 3D− systems, respectively. No significant differences were found in performance, post-operative physicals or eye symptoms. The novel 3D− system was similar to the conventional 3D+ system regarding performance and overall preference, while there were minor advantages for the 3D+ system in the subjective ratings. Since the 3D− system is a new invention, it should have a higher potential of usability improvements.