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Body temperature and heart rate variability, and their circadian rhythms in sheep as measured by biologgers
Get PDFHeart rate (HR) variability (HRV) reflects the balance between the autonomic nervous system's sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, which regulate stress and relaxation. Wearable sensors record HR and body temperature (BT), to provide data that informed decisions can be made from on animal management and welfare. The purpose of this study was to investigate daily changes in BT and HRV, recorded by subcutaneous biologgers; specifically, to quantify the 24-hour circadian rhythm in BT (°C), HR (bpm), the Standard Deviation of the R-R intervals (SDNN), and the Root Mean Square of Successive Differences (RMSSD) (ms). Five ewes were implanted with a subcutaneous biologger, configured to collect data every 5 min for 7 d. Mean ( ± S.E.) BT (38.06 ± 0.01), HR (111.14 ± 1.68), SDNN (34.35 ± 2.90), and RMSSD (47.95 ± 4.21) were calculated. BT and HR were highest in the day (day: 38.15 ± 0.01 and 120.71 ± 0.43; night: 37.98 ± 0.01 and 102.47 ± 0.43; P < 0.001), and SDNN (day: 29.30 ± 0.87; night: 37.16 ± 0.67) and RMSSD (day: 39.01 ± 1.17; night: 53.53 ± 0.94) were highest at night (P < 0.001). BT and HR were positively correlated (P < 0.01), but both negatively correlated (P < 0.01) with SDNN and RMSSD. BT, HR, SDNN, and RMSSD presented a 24-h circadian rhythm, with acrophases (peak activity period) for BT at 1457 h and at 1223 h for HR, but those of SDNN and RMSSD were at 0350 h and 0327 h, respectively. In conclusion, biologgers detected the diurnal rhythmicity in BT and HRV in sheep, providing an option to use these physiological measures to assess an animal's health and welfare
Electrical gating based on ion and electron beam irradiation of PdAc films: Application to superconducting nanowires
Get PDFFocused ion beam (FIB) is a nanopatterning technique commonly used for material removal, but in combination with a precursor material it gives rise to additive nanomanufacturing, of great interest in nanotechnology and semiconductor applications. The precursor material can be delivered onto the substrate either in the gas form, through a gas-injection system, or in thin-film form, through spin coating. Recently, it has been found that the electrical resistance of spin-coated PdAc organometallic films submitted to FIB irradiation can be metallic at an optimized ion dose, without the need of any post-processing purification step. On the other hand, if such PdAc films are submitted to low-dose focused electron beam irradiation (FEB), they become an insulating material. Here, we combine the use of FIB and FEB irradiation to produce (additively) micro- and nano-structured materials that act as gates in electronic devices. Three different gate configurations have been explored and applied to suppress superconductivity in metallic nanowires through electric-field effects, including lateral and top gating. This new fabrication technique for investigation of electrical gating effects at the micro- and nano-scales stands out by its precision and resolution (due to the use of focused charged beams), by the absence of sacrificial resist layers, and by the process speed
El Prácticum como eje para la inclusión: un estudio de caso desde la mirada del alumnado con foto-elicitación
Get PDFLa inclusión educativa se ha constituido como un elemento central del sistema educativo actual. En este sentido, la formación inicial docente a través del Prácticum cobra un papel relevante en la creación de entornos inclusivos. El objetivo principal del estudio es analizar cómo la estrategia de foto-elicitación en el Prácticum permite al estudiantado desarrollar competencias a favor de la inclusión educativa a través de la toma de conciencia de actuaciones inclusivas en el aula. Todo ello desde la visión del alumnado en prácticas escolares (N=12) y utilizando como método el estudio de caso. Los resultados muestran cómo la foto-elicitación permite reflexionar y comprender la inclusión educativa desde su experiencia como alumnado de prácticas. También se refleja que el maestro-tutor es eje vertebral de la inclusión, especialmente a través de la inteligencia emocional; y, finalmente, se destaca la necesidad de coordinación interinstitucional continua para lograr un prácticum enriquecedor
Exploring consumer preferences and policy implications in local food systems: Does taste or labeling matter in honey?
Get PDFThis study analyses the influence of geographical origin and taste on honey consumer behavior. First, we explore the influence of geographical origin on consumers’ hedonic evaluation of honey. We then assess the influence of geographical origin and taste on their willingness to pay (WTP) for honey. We conducted a field experiment at a real supermarket. The participants were exposed to two treatments (blind and informed treatment). The findings showed that knowledge about the geographical origin of honey influences consumers’ hedonic evaluations and that the WTP for honey is more strongly influenced by geographical origin than by taste
From On-Air Rebelliousness to the Cult of Positivity: Mediated Identities and Technological Change in Pump Up the Volume (1990) and Eighth Grade (2018)
Get PDFThanks to technological change, the negotiation of adolescent identities largely takes part in virtual spaces. Mostly lacking parental supervision, virtual spaces become one of the few arenas where teenagers have unrestricted freedom to perform and construct their identities. Teenage films have depicted the possibilities and dangers of adolescents using technology since personal computers became commonplace in the 1980s. This paper analyses the representation of the relationship between networked virtual spaces and teenage identities in Pump Up the Volume (Allan Moyle, 1990) and Eighth Grade (Bo Burnham, 2018), two teen films in which the use of technology and virtual spaces as a means for self-expression becomes key in the protagonists’ process of identity formation. The generational distance between the two films provides insight not only into technological change, but also into shifting social expectations. While Eighth Grade shows a world in which social media use is commonplace and having a social media profile is expected, Pump Up the Volume depicts a pre-internet world in which social media—in this case amateur radio—is produced and consumed by those whose voices and views are not typically represented or heard. As a consequence, although both films reflect on the relationship between adolescent identities and their performances on social media, they place an emphasis on different aspects of social networks that are specific to each film’s socio-historical context. While Pump Up the Volume presents social media as a tool for rebellion, connection and potential systemic change, Eighth Grade reflects an individualised world in which conformity to neoliberal values—and, more specifically, neoliberal girlhood—replaces rebellion
Determinants of BMI underreporting in adults from families at high risk for type 2 diabetes in Europe: The Feel4Diabetes study
Get PDFAim: The aim of this study was to investigate the determinants of body mass index (BMI) underreporting in adults from families at high risk for type 2 diabetes in Europe. Subject and methods: In total, 3169 adults (65.3% females) from six European countries were included in this cross-sectional analysis using data from the baseline assessment of the Feel4Diabetes study. Anthropometric, sociodemographic, dietary, and behavioral data were assessed, and underreporting of BMI was calculated. Results: Underreporting of BMI ranged from 20% to 84%. Women were 1.27 times more likely to underreport their BMI than men (p = 0.01), while participants from Southeastern Europe were 1.52 times more likely to underreport their BMI than those residing in Central/Northern Europe (p 25 kg/m2 and those with waist circumference (WC) ≥88 cm for women and ≥102 cm for men were 3.4 and 2.6 times more likely to underreport their BMI, respectively (p < 0.001). Regarding the clinical status of the participants, the existence of (pre)diabetes, hypertension (HTN), and metabolic syndrome (MS) was also associated with underreporting of BMI. More specifically, participants with (pre)diabetes, HTN, and MS were 1.4, 1.6, and 1.8 times more likely to be under-reporters (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Given the increasing global rates of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), having a more precise estimation of obesity is crucial in order to develop effective public health policies that promote obesity prevention and contribute to the battle against obesity and NC
Early detection of retinal dysfunction in type 1 diabetes without retinopathy using multifocal electroretinography
Get PDFDiabetic retinopathy (DR) significantly impacts vision and quality of life in diabetic patients. This study aimed to evaluate multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) changes in long-term type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients without clinical signs of DR to detect early functional retinal alterations. A prospective observational study was conducted involving 46 eyes from 23 T1DM patients and 46 eyes from 23 age-matched healthy controls. mfERG was assessed using the RETI-port/scan21 following ISCEV protocols. T1DM patients exhibited significantly decreased mfERG response amplitude density (RAD) in all the retinal rings except R2 (R1, p = 0.003; R3, p = 0.006, R4, p = 0.023 and R5, p = 0,027) and in the inferior quadrants Q2 and Q3 (p = 0.030 and p = 0.004, respectively) compared to controls. Minimal differences in implicit time (IT) were observed between both groups. Age correlated positively with different ITs, and HbA1c showed a significant negative correlation with various RADs. T1DM patients show early retinal dysfunction, as indicated by reduced RAD in mfERG, even without clinical signs of DR. These findings highlight the importance of early functional testing and metabolic control in preventing DR progression. RAD may serve as a subclinical marker of bipolar cell and photoreceptor damage in long-term T1DM patients prior to the onset of clinical DR
Analysis of an intergenerational service-learning experience based on physical exercise in a community setting: a mixed-method study
Get PDFIntroductionPhysical activity offers numerous benefits that improve psychological well-being, reduce dependency, and foster intergenerational relationships. Universities play a key role in promoting the health of students by proposing actions that contribute to a sustainable future, fostering a mature society and reducing ageism. This service-learning project aimed to assess the impact of an intergenerational cane-walking program on older adults and physiotherapy students in a community setting. The project focused on promoting health and fostering intergenerational relationships.MethodsA concurrent, nested mixed-methods design was used for the intervention, involving intergenerational group walks during the 2022–2023 academic year. The program was designed and supervised by faculty members and three fourth-year fellows. Data collection was based on adherence to the intervention, the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3), interviews with older adults and feedback questionnaires completed by them and participating students.ResultsSatisfactory adherence was evidenced among older adults, with 65.79% of participants who completed the project and 72% who adhered to the intervention, although there were no statistically significant differences in terms of motivation to exercise taking that adherence into account. The project’s ability to foster intergenerational relationships was rated by the seniors at 9.50 ± 0.6, and 100% answered affirmatively about its capacity of contribute to improving their health and well-being. Student feedback also reflected high scores for fostering intergenerational relationships, with scores of 10 (fellows), 8.7 ± 1.2 (third-year students), and 8.27 ± 1.2 (second-year students). The project’s contribution to skills development was rated positively by 100% of the fellows, 88.6% of the second-year students, and 74.1% of the third-year students. In the nested study, three key themes related to exercise emerged by older adults: (1) perceptions of exercise, (2) barriers to exercise and (3) motivations for exercise. Regarding satisfaction with the program, three main themes emerged: (1) intergenerational relationships, (2) strengths of the program and (3) suggestions for improvement.ConclusionThe program appears to improve the well-being of older adults and provide valuable experiential learning for students. Thus, service-learning projects could effectively promote sustainable health practices, highlighting the important role of universities in community health initiatives
Physical-chemical transformations for the remediation and valorization of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) including lindane: A review
Get PDFThe production of the former insecticide lindane (γ-HCH) resulted in the generation of vast quantities of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH) residues, creating one of the most significant environmental challenges related to persistent organic pollutants in the world. This contamination is present today in different scenarios, including stockpiles and highly concentrated mixed waste, contaminated surface soils, subsoil, and waters. In particular, Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs) represent challenging subsurface and groundwater contamination. This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of the physical-chemical methodologies and remediation projects reported in the literature for addressing lindane contamination through separation, transformation, disposal, and valorization approaches. The available physicochemical techniques include dehydrochlorination, oxidation, reduction, substitution, isomerization, as well as electrochemical, photochemical, sonochemical, plasma, and other high energy treatments. Key aspects, such as advantages and limitations, remediation effectiveness, technological maturity, scalability, estimated costs, and applicability to different contamination scenarios are thoroughly analyzed for each method. The review culminates in a detailed comparison of these methodologies for various contamination contexts, providing valuable insights for the identification of optimal solutions to this global environmental challenge. In addition, the review assesses, for the first time, the potential for valorization of the products formed during HCH treatment or remediation. This aspect highlights the opportunity to transform HCH residues into higher value-added chemicals, thereby enhancing the circular economy of the remediation process. Finally, the integration of physicochemical methods with separation and biological tools offers a holistic perspective that underscores the importance of comprehensive strategies for addressing HCH contamination effectively and sustainably