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The performance and associated risks of the criteria for sarcopenic obesity proposed by the European Association for the Study of Obesity in a geriatric population
Get PDFBackground: There is no gold standard definition of sarcopenic obesity (SO). Our objective is to evaluate the benefit of using the new definition proposed by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) in older people. Methods: Data from the Toledo Study of Healthy Aging, a study based on a cohort of community-dwelling older adults, were used. SO was defined according to the EASO and by a composite of the Foundation for the National Institute of Health (FNIH) for the diagnosis of sarcopenia and the WHO’s criteria for obesity (Body Mass Index, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; waist circumference, >88 cm for women and >102 cm for men). Frailty [Frailty Phenotype (FFP) and Frailty Trait Scale-5 (FTS5)] and disability (Katz Index) statuses were assessed at baseline and at the follow-up (median 2.99 years). Mortality at a 5-year follow-up was also assessed. The Logistic and Cox regression models were used to assess the associations. Results: Of the 1559 subjects (age 74.79 ± 5.76 years; 45.54% men), 30.15% (EASO/ESPEN) vs. 16.36% (FNIH) met the SO criteria (Kappa = 0.42). SO was associated with the prevalence of frailty by both the EASO’s [OR(95%CI): FFP: 1.70 (1.33–2.16); FTS-5 binary: 2.29 (1.60–3.27); β(95%CI): FTS-5 continuous 3.63 (3.00–4.27)] and FNIH+WHO’s criteria [OR (95%CI): 2.20 (1.61, 3.00)]. The FNIH + WHO’s criteria were cross-sectionally associated with disability [OR: 1.52 (1.07, 2.16); p-value 0.018], while the EASO’s criteria were not. The EASO’s criteria did not show any association at the follow-up, while the FNIH + WHO’s criteria were associated with incident frailty. Conclusions: The EASO’s new criteria for sarcopenic obesity demonstrate moderate agreement with the traditional definition and are cross-sectionally associated with adverse events, but they do not effectively predict the outcomes generally associated with sarcopenic obesity in older adults. Therefore, the performance of the EASO’s criteria in older people raises the need for refinement before recommending it for generalized use in this population.</p
XR Immersion for teaching and learning with precise visualization in user perspective
Get PDFUser Perspective Learning is a method that stresses the importance of teaching and learning from the user's point of view (POV). A video is usually created from the user's point of view to be viewed on desktop displays, televisions, and mobile devices. Traditional displays could be replaced by Extended Reality (XR) applications and devices in the not-too-distant future. XR is an inclusive term for VR, AR and MR. Teaching learners with the freedom to view and interact can be made much more effective by using this technology. With the help of XR technology, learners can be tracked as they practice, augment Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) in real-time, or completely teleport to a digital environment. Over the years, handheld device processing advancements have resulted in significant improvements in portable XR technologies. Modern multi-core processors are capable of handling complex computations in a fraction of a second. The adaptation of XR technologies to mobile smart phones has made them more accessible in addition to standalone devices. Our study is aimed at discovering the potential of XR in user-perspective learning and its effect of immersion. An XR application was created for the experiment, which allows participants to navigate in a virtualized environment (VE) with a great degree of freedom. Users can opt for either handheld or head-mounted viewing through the application. By tracking the orientation of practice models, CGI was augmented accurately matching to the model's dimensions and provided a grabbing and learning experience. This provided a precise visualization. A pilot study was conducted with 71 university students to evaluate the degree of immersion. To study the immersion levels of XR technology, a statistical analysis was conducted on the collected data.</p
The performance and associated risks of the criteria for sarcopenic obesity proposed by the European Association for the Study of Obesity in a geriatric population
Get PDFBackground: There is no gold standard definition of sarcopenic obesity (SO). Our objective is to evaluate the benefit of using the new definition proposed by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) in older people. Methods: Data from the Toledo Study of Healthy Aging, a study based on a cohort of community-dwelling older adults, were used. SO was defined according to the EASO and by a composite of the Foundation for the National Institute of Health (FNIH) for the diagnosis of sarcopenia and the WHO’s criteria for obesity (Body Mass Index, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; waist circumference, >88 cm for women and >102 cm for men). Frailty [Frailty Phenotype (FFP) and Frailty Trait Scale-5 (FTS5)] and disability (Katz Index) statuses were assessed at baseline and at the follow-up (median 2.99 years). Mortality at a 5-year follow-up was also assessed. The Logistic and Cox regression models were used to assess the associations. Results: Of the 1559 subjects (age 74.79 ± 5.76 years; 45.54% men), 30.15% (EASO/ESPEN) vs. 16.36% (FNIH) met the SO criteria (Kappa = 0.42). SO was associated with the prevalence of frailty by both the EASO’s [OR(95%CI): FFP: 1.70 (1.33–2.16); FTS-5 binary: 2.29 (1.60–3.27); β(95%CI): FTS-5 continuous 3.63 (3.00–4.27)] and FNIH+WHO’s criteria [OR (95%CI): 2.20 (1.61, 3.00)]. The FNIH + WHO’s criteria were cross-sectionally associated with disability [OR: 1.52 (1.07, 2.16); p-value 0.018], while the EASO’s criteria were not. The EASO’s criteria did not show any association at the follow-up, while the FNIH + WHO’s criteria were associated with incident frailty. Conclusions: The EASO’s new criteria for sarcopenic obesity demonstrate moderate agreement with the traditional definition and are cross-sectionally associated with adverse events, but they do not effectively predict the outcomes generally associated with sarcopenic obesity in older adults. Therefore, the performance of the EASO’s criteria in older people raises the need for refinement before recommending it for generalized use in this population.</p
Functional exercise circuit with dual task training on clinical outcomes related to sarcopenia in older adults:a nonrandomized controlled trial
Get PDFIntroduction: Most of exercise interventions to prevent sarcopenia have focused on individuals with sarcopenia or pre-sarcopenia. The effect of functional exercise with dual task on clinical variables of sarcopenia, have not been studied previously. Objective: This study analyzed the effects of a functional exercise program with dual task compared to aerobic exercise on outcomes related to sarcopenia, in older adults without clinical suspicion of sarcopenia. Methodology: This was a nonrandomized controlled trial (Registration: RBR-2HJJ7G/UTN:U1111-1254-3147). Forty-eight older adults were allocated into two interventions: 1) functional exercise circuit (FEC) with dual-task and 2) aerobic exercise. Both interventions were conducted for 12 weeks, 3 times a week, 50 minutes each session. Clinical suspicion of sarcopenia was determined by the algorithm of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Measurements of fat-free mass, fat mass, calf circumference, handgrip strength, 5-repetition sit-to stand, 4-meter gait speed, six-minute walking test and oxidative stress blood biomarkers were assessed before and after both interventions. Analyzes were performed using the SPSS version 22.0 and JAPS version 0.16.1. Results: Fat-free mass (p=0.049) and calf circumference (p<0.001) increased, and fat mass (p=0.017) reduced after FEC (ES: 0.1-0.6). Both groups showed improvement in the 5-repetition sit-to stand, 4-meter gait speed, six-minute walking test (p< 0.05 for all). All antioxidant biomarkers increased after FEC (ES: 0.2-0.6; p< 0.05 for all). Conclusion: Our study showed that FEC with dual task training improved muscle mass, muscle strength, physical performance, and antioxidant capacity, which are important outcomes related to sarcopenia.</p
XR Immersion for teaching and learning with precise visualization in user perspective
Get PDFUser Perspective Learning is a method that stresses the importance of teaching and learning from the user's point of view (POV). A video is usually created from the user's point of view to be viewed on desktop displays, televisions, and mobile devices. Traditional displays could be replaced by Extended Reality (XR) applications and devices in the not-too-distant future. XR is an inclusive term for VR, AR and MR. Teaching learners with the freedom to view and interact can be made much more effective by using this technology. With the help of XR technology, learners can be tracked as they practice, augment Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) in real-time, or completely teleport to a digital environment. Over the years, handheld device processing advancements have resulted in significant improvements in portable XR technologies. Modern multi-core processors are capable of handling complex computations in a fraction of a second. The adaptation of XR technologies to mobile smart phones has made them more accessible in addition to standalone devices. Our study is aimed at discovering the potential of XR in user-perspective learning and its effect of immersion. An XR application was created for the experiment, which allows participants to navigate in a virtualized environment (VE) with a great degree of freedom. Users can opt for either handheld or head-mounted viewing through the application. By tracking the orientation of practice models, CGI was augmented accurately matching to the model's dimensions and provided a grabbing and learning experience. This provided a precise visualization. A pilot study was conducted with 71 university students to evaluate the degree of immersion. To study the immersion levels of XR technology, a statistical analysis was conducted on the collected data.</p
V2X application server and vehicle centric distribution of commitments for V2V message authentication
No full textSafety applications, such as intersection collision warnings and emergency brake warnings, enhance road safety and traffic efficiency through periodic broadcast messages by vehicles and roadside infrastructure. While the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) is a widely used security approach, its performance limitations make it unsuitable for time-critical safety applications. As such, a symmetric cryptography-based technique called Timed Efficient Stream Loss-tolerant Authentication (TESLA) offers a viable alternative. However, applying standard TESLA in the context of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications has its own challenges. One challenge is the difficulty of distributing authentication information called commitments in the highly dynamic V2V environment. In this paper, we propose two novel solutions to this problem, namely, V2X Application Server (VAS)-centric and vehicle-centric. The former is an application-level solution that involves selective unicasting of commitments to vehicles by a central server, the VAS, and the latter is a reactive scheme that involves the periodic broadcast of commitments by the vehicles themselves. Extensive simulations are conducted using representatives of the real V2V environment to evaluate the performance of these approaches under different traffic situations; as well as performance comparison with a state-of-the-art distribution solution. The simulation results indicate that the VAS-centric solution is preferable for use in a TESLA-like V2V security scheme. It demonstrates desirable features, including timely delivery of commitments and high distribution efficiency, with over 95 % of commitments sent by the VAS are associated with relevant safety messages when compared with the vehicle-centric and state-of-the-art solutions. Formal security analysis, conducted using the Random Oracle Model (ROM), proves the correctness of our proposed distribution schemes. Additionally, an informal security analysis shows the resilience of the proposed schemes against various attacks, including impersonation, replay, and bogus commitment messages.<br/
Comparing leaving-care policy and practice across the four nations of the United Kingdom:exploring similarities, differences, and implementation gaps
Get PDFFrom an international comparative perspective, the four nations of the UK have robust legal and policy frameworks governing care-leaving. Measures taken include: access to aftercare workers; pathway planning; introduction of extended care arrangements (permitting young people to remain in placement beyond 18 years); and specific types of financial support. The paper explores commonalities and differences in approaches across the UK and illuminates how resource constraints, placement availability, workforce challenges and cultural norms may result in implementation gaps and a post-code lottery of provision. Findings lend weight to calls for attentiveness to, and systematic evaluation of, the implementation process to understand the challenges encountered in embedding effective support for care leavers. They also highlight the value of further comparative studies that explore the systems and subsystems of law, policy and practice in the four nations to contribute to more informed leaving care policy and practice
Workplace productivity, health and wellbeing: findings from a cluster randomised controlled trial of a workplace intervention to reduce sitting in office workers
Get PDFOBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility and potential effects of a workplace intervention to reduce and break up sitting. METHODS Office workers were randomised in clusters to intervention (=22) or control (n = 22). The intervention included a height-adjustable workstation, education, computer prompt software and line manager support. Outcomes included device-measured workplace sitting and ecological momentary assessed (EMA) workplace productivity. Recruitment, retention and data completion rates were assessed. RESULT Recruitment (n = 44), retention (91%) and workplace sitting measurement rates demonstrated study feasibility. At 8 weeks, workplace sitting was 11% lower (95% CI: -20.71, -1.30) in the intervention group compared with control participants. Intervention participants were also more engaged, motivated and productive while sitting (p ≤ 0.016). CONCLUSIONS It was feasible to implement and evaluate this office workplace intervention, with potential benefits on workplace sitting and EMA-measured productivity
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