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Weight Stigma and Eating Behaviors in Young Adults across Weight Status
Get PDFObjectives: For this study, we adopted and expanded the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) by adding weight-related self-stigma (WSS) to explain avoidance in 3 eating behavior (EB) types – uncontrolled eating, emotional eating, and cognitive restraint – among overweight and obese persons and persons not overweight (underweight + normal weight). Methods: A total of 348 adults aged 18-30 years have participated in this study. Questionnaires were used to assess factors in TPB (viz, intention, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control [PBC]) in relation to EB avoidance, WSS, and the 3 types of EB. In addition to structural equation modeling, path invariance was tested. Results: In general, WSS together with subjective norm and PBC were positively associated with intention to avoid EB; PBC to avoid EB was negatively associated with EB; however, intention to avoid EB and WSS were positively associated with EB. In addition, path invariance between the non-overweight and overweight groups was not supported. In the overweight group, WSS had a more significant impact on PBC. Conclusions: The extended TPB model successfully explained the intention to avoid EB and the negative effect caused by WSS. However, the intention-behavior gap emerged from our results. The underlying factors that prevent people from avoiding EB should be investigated further.This research was supported in part by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Higher Education Sprout Project, Ministry of Education to the Headquarters of University Advancement at National Cheng Kung
University (NCKU), and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MOST 110-2410-H-006-115; MOST 111-2410-H-006-110); Asia University
Hospital (AUH-11351003); and the E-Da Hospital (EDAHP110010; EDAHP111054)
Role of Blood P-Tau Isoforms (181, 217, 231) in Predicting Conversion from MCI to Dementia Due to Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review and Meta-Analysis
Get PDFData Availability Statement;
The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Data are also extractable directly or calculable from original articles included in the review.Supplementary Materials:
The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/ijms252312916/s1. References [84,85,86] are cited in Supplementary MaterialsBlood-based biomarkers are minimally invasive tools to detect the pathological changes of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This meta-analysis aims to investigate the use of blood-derived p-tau isoforms (181, 217, 231) to predict conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD dementia (ADD). Studies involving MCI patients with data on blood p-tau isoforms at baseline and clinical diagnosis at follow-up (≥1 year) were included. Twelve studies on p-tau 181 (4340 MCI, conversion rate 20.6%), four on p-tau 217 (913 MCI, conversion rate 33.4%), and one on p-tau 231 (135 MCI, conversion rate 33%) were included. For p-tau 181, the pooled area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.73 (95% CI = 0.68–0.78), and for p-tau 217 was 0.85 (95% CI = 0.75–0.91). Plasma levels of p-tau 181 had good discriminatory power to identify MCI patients who will convert to ADD. Although only four studies on p-tau 217 have been included in the meta-analysis, in the last year the predictive power of p-tau 217 is emerging as superior to that of other isoforms. However, given the high heterogeneity detected in the p-tau 217 studies included in this meta-analysis, additional supportive evidence is needed. Insufficient results were available for p-tau 231. These findings support the prognostic utility of p-tau 181 and p-tau 217 measured in blood to predict progression to ADD in MCI and encourage its future implementation in clinical practice.Work supported by #NEXTGENERATIONEU (NGEU) and funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), project MNESYS (PE0000006)—A Multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease (DN. 1553 11.10.2022). The study was supported by the Italian Ministry of Health with the “Ricerca Corrente 2023” program
Dissociable effect of different measures of Vascular Metrics on Cognitive Function: The Mediating role of the Thalamic Subregions
Get PDFPoster presentation at AAIC 2024, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 28 July - 1 August 2024.Background:
The impact of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on cognitive performance is uncertain due to inconsistent findings. The thalamus is of particular interest given its susceptibility to vascular damage. To test how different vascular risks (Deep/Periventricular WMH and Vascular Scores (VS)) affect thalamic subregional volumes and whether that has any mediating effect on different cognitive domains in healthy controls, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD.
Method:
A sub-sample of 93 participants (age = 64.96 ± 10.847, sex = 49 males/44 females) included controls (n = 40), MCI (n = 28) and AD (n = 25) were selected from the larger multi-site VPH-DARE cohort. 3T1-weighted MRI images were pre-processed using Freesurfer and its module to segment into 6 thalamic regions and its subcomponents. MD values of the bilateral posterior thalamic radiation (PTR) were extracted. Lexical semantic, episodic and executive functions were assessed. A non-parametric mediation analysis was run using a bias-corrected percentile bootstrapped with 5000 permutations controlling for covariates. A complementary analysis was conducted using the mean diffusivity (MD) values of the left and right PTR as a mediator.
Result:
A indirect effect of VS on the midline regions led to poor performance across all three cognitive domains: lexical (β = –0.077, p = 0.045), episodic (β = –0.097, p = 0.028) and executive (β = –0.079, p = 0.048). VS had a indirect effect on lexical (β = –0.097, p = 0.040) and episodic (β = –0.153, p = 0.005) tests through MD of the left PTR. Similarly, both deep (β = –0.249, p = 0.016) and periventricular (β = –0.309, p = 0.002) WMH resulted in a indirect effect on episodic memory. Only VS resulted in a negative indirect effect on episodic memory (β = –0.121, p = 0.020) through the MD of the right PTR.
Conclusion:
Higher VS resulted in poor cognitive performance by impacting subregional volumes of the thalamus and white matter integrity of tracts. The effect of both deep and periventricular WMH on cognitive performance appears to be mediated by the white matter integrity of the left thalamic tracts more than thalamic sub-regional volumes possibly reflecting different vascular mechanisms
Neuropsychological profile, quantitative MRI data and brain-derived circulating cell-free DNA in plasma: a cross-sectional study of the Alzheimer’s disease continuum
Get PDFPoster presentation at AAIC 2024, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 28 July - 1 August 2024.Background:
Cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continuum is knowingly associated with degenerative neurobiological features; however, reliable markers for the early detection of the preclinical stages of AD are not fully established. The main goal of this study was to track ongoing brain neurodegeneration across the AD continuum by combining neuropsychological data, brain MRI features, and plasmatic - brain-derived circulating cell-free DNA (b-cfDNA) biomarkers.
Method:
A total of 91 participants were included in this study including 28 healthy controls (HC) (mean age 66.4±9.2), 21 participants with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) (mean age 70.4±8.5), 18 participants with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) (mean age 72.3±7.1) and 24 patients with AD dementia (mean age 71.5±8.3). All participants underwent a neuropsychological evaluation, a brain MRI and a blood sample test to quantify the levels of brain-derived cfDNA in plasma. ANCOVAs were used to test differences across participants. In addition, the median value of b-cfDNA levels was set as a threshold to categorize participants into b-cfDNA-positive or negative. Pearson’s correlations were carried out between all variables. Results were corrected for multiple comparisons and statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Result:
Several regions in frontal, temporal and inferior parietal lobes showed progressively lower volumes going from HC to AD dementia. Although no statistical differences between mean b-cfDNA levels were observed among groups, we found a trend of increased values in SCD and MCI participants. In addition, volumes of specific temporal regions differed significantly between b-cfDNA-positive and b-cfDNA-negative participants. Moreover, b-cfDNA values correlated with semantic fluency scores in the AD dementia group (p = 0.038) and with the Stroop test scores in the HC group (p = 0.007).
Conclusion:
These results suggest that active neurodegeneration in the early phases of AD can be associated with a release of b-cfDNA in plasma. Thus, this blood-based biomarker might reveal early neurodegenerative processes even in the pre-clinical dementia stage, when the neuropsychological and MRI changes are very subtle and difficult to detect at the individual level.This study is supported by funding obtained under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.3 -Project code PE0000006, CUP D93C22000930002, MNESY
The influence of marketing exploitation and exploration on B2B SME performance: The moderating roles of supplier flexibility and information exchange
Get PDFData availability:
The data that has been used is confidential.This study employs a resource-based view to examine how marketing exploitation and exploration affect business-to-business (B2B) small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) performance, considering the moderating effects of supplier flexibility and information exchange. Our analysis of a time-lag survey involving 144 Chinese B2B SMEs revealed that marketing exploitation and exploration positively affect performance when implemented individually. However, when B2B SMEs pursue both approaches simultaneously, marketing exploration exerts a relatively stronger impact on performance compared to marketing exploitation. Supplier flexibility and information exchange act as contingency factors, influencing the strength of these effects. Our analysis reveals that marketing exploration influences performance more strongly when supplier flexibility and information exchange are high. Conversely, high levels of supplier flexibility and information exchange reduce the impact of marketing exploitation on performance. To gain a deeper understanding, we conducted 25 additional interviews with representatives of Chinese B2B SMEs that did not participate in our survey study. Our findings align survey and interview results, revealing how marketing exploitation and exploration, supplier flexibility, and information exchange complexly interplay to influence B2B SME performance.Key project of National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 72032008), and National Social Sciences Foundation of China
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tele-ophthalmology-Based Retinal Screening
Get PDFData Availability:
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available as public access to individual data points was not part of the consent given by the participants in study.Introduction: This study reports our experiences with systematic retinal screening in Denmark through optometrists with access to tele-ophthalmological services before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We evaluated an optometrist-based retinal screening system with a referral option for tele-ophthalmological service by a consultant ophthalmologist within the time period of August 1, 2018 to September 30, 2023. The optometrist collected patient history, refraction, best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, basic slit-lamp examination, 4-in-1 visual field report, and retinal imaging using color fundus 45° photography. Tele-ophthalmological services were provided by consultant ophthalmologists. Within pre-defined periods of pre-COVID-19, COVID-19, and post-COVID-19, we evaluated the rate of referrals to the tele-ophthalmological service, diagnoses made, and referrals to the public healthcare system. Results: A total of 1,142,028 unique individuals, which corresponded to 19.1% of the entire population of Denmark, underwent screening by the optometrists; 50,612 (4.4%) of these individuals were referred to the tele-ophthalmological examination by consultant ophthalmologists. A referral for further ophthalmic examination, either at hospital or at an ophthalmic practice, was made for 10,300 individuals (20.4% of those referred for tele-ophthalmology, corresponding to 0.9% of the population screened). The referral rate from the screening to the tele-ophthalmological service increased from before COVID-19 (3.4%) to during COVID-19 (4.3%) and further after COVID-19 (6.4%). This increase coincided with an increasing prevalence of conditions seen in the tele-ophthalmological service. Conclusion: During a period of 5 years, 19.1% of the entire population of Denmark underwent retinal screening. This provided an adjunctive health service during a period of severe strain on the public healthcare system, while limiting the number of excessive referrals to the public healthcare system. Temporal trends illustrated an increased pattern of use of a large-scale tele-ophthalmological system.No funding or sponsorship was received for this study or publication of this article. The Rapid Service Fee was funded by the authors
Domestic abuse, parental alienation and Family Court proceedings
Get PDFWhen a relationship breaks down and the parents go to court contesting arrangements for who the child or children will live with or spend time with it is often the case that the courts struggle to assess the significance of domestic abuse for those child arrangements. Where domestic abuse is raised in child arrangement cases in the Family Courts, ‘parental alienation’ (PA) is an increasingly prevalent form of counter allegation. This chapter shows that PA is a contested concept, yet often the courts are not as critical as they might be or aware of how abusers may be manipulating allegations to deflect from their own behaviour
Planning and operation of solar-hydrogen-storage integrated electric vehicle charging stations in smart city
Get PDFThis thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThe global push towards carbon neutrality by 2050 has intensified the need for
sustainable, energy-efficient electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Traditional
charging stations rely heavily on the conventional grid, which presents challenges for
integrating renewable energy sources and supporting the widespread adoption of
electric vehicles (EVs). This thesis addresses these challenges by developing innovative
strategies for energy-efficient electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) that
incorporate renewable energy sources, enhance energy exchange capabilities, and
improve the infrastructure’s overall contribution to social welfare and carbon emission
reduction.
Although prior research has made strides in enhancing EV charging efficiency and
incorporating renewable energy, significant gaps remain. Many existing studies
overlook comprehensive models that optimize both energy management and economic
viability across EVCS networks. There is a need for solutions that facilitate effective
integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar hydrogen and battery storage
systems, with minimal reliance on traditional distribution networks. Furthermore,
limited attention has been given to optimizing energy transfers between stations and
implementing real-time pricing models to balance supply and demand in variable
conditions.
This thesis addresses these gaps by presenting a comprehensive model for integrating
renewable energy into EVCSs, including solar hydrogen and storage-integrated EVCSs
(SHS-EVCSs), supported by advanced simulation and optimization techniques such as
the Particle Swam Optimization (PSO) Algorithm, the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic
Algorithm (NSGA-II) and the Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithm Based on
Decomposition (MOEA/D). These methods facilitate the identification of optimal
solutions for energy management and cost-effectiveness. Additional contributions
include a novel peer-to-peer (P2P) energy dispatch strategy based on game theory, a
hierarchical model to enhance driver welfare and operational efficiency, and a Markov
decision process with Monte Carlo simulations for accurate demand prediction and realtime
pricing. Together, these innovations provide a robust framework for designing
future EVCS infrastructure aligned with global carbon neutrality goals, offering
practical insights into renewable energy integration, network optimization, and
economic impacts on urban transportation systems
Optimizing Urban Air Mobility: A Ground-Connected Approach to Select Optimal eVTOL Takeoff and Landing Sites for Short-Distance Intercity Travel
Get PDFThe progression of low-carbon aviation policies and the maturation of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology have engendered considerable prospects for the advancement of short-haul intercity and intra-city transportation systems. To harness the potential of eVTOL travel in ameliorating transportation carbon emissions and alleviating ground transportation congestion, the judicious selection of optimal eVTOL stop sites emerges as a pivotal consideration. This study delineates a framework for the delineation of intra-city and short-distance inter-city eVTOL site selection predicated on comprehensive analysis of ground transportation system interconnections. The initial phase of the framework entails the identification of potential optimal take-off and landing sites through a multi-faceted assessment of factors encompassing vehicular and passenger traffic flows, regional economic dynamics, travel behavioral patterns, and prevailing eVTOL flight regulations across heterogeneous ground transportation networks. Employing an enhanced iteration of the K-means algorithm, this phase undertakes the clustering of optimal takeoff and landing locations, thereby discerning their spatial distribution to effectively alleviate ground traffic congestion while aligning with eVTOL vertical port requirements and airspace regulatory mandates. The second phase involves the establishment of a demand gravity model to validate the optimal take-off and landing coordinate sites of eVTOL and further assess a service index indicative of traffic flow optimization. The case shows that six optimal eVTOL take-off and landing locations have been discerned by our model within the Beijing-Tianjin-Xiong'an (Hebei) region. These locations are anticipated to yield a cumulative service index of 75,465 instances, thereby efficaciously mitigating travel pressure on ground transportation infrastructure.Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities (Grant Number: 3122024QD18);
10.13039/501100001809-National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Number: 62206062)
Children's Rights in Police Custody
Get PDFThe UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises that children in conflict with the law are entitled to special protection, especially during the criminal process. Despite important legal developments, relatively little is known about how children experience their rights. This chapter explores children’s experience of police questioning through the lens of children themselves, based on a study undertaken by the authors for the (Irish) Policing Authority. This chapter sets out the rights of children during police questioning in international and national law. It summarises, drawing on empirical research, how children experience these rights and then identifies the key factors that influence these experiences. This chapter concludes with recommendations as to how to improve the realisation of children’s rights in this setting, taking account of the need to appropriately balance the rights of the child suspect with the parameters of police investigation.Dublin City University; Policing Authority Research Bursary: Children’s Rights and Police Questioning: A Qualitative Study of Children’s Experiences of being interviewed by the Garda Síochán
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