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Comparison of muscle strength and power in the short physical performance battery for predicting negative outcomes in older adults with mobility limitations
Get PDFObjectives: The present study examined sex-specific associations between Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) indexes operationalized according to lower limb muscle strength and power and the occurrence of negative events in older adults with mobility limitations. Design: Secondary longitudinal analysis of a randomized controlled trial Setting: Community-Dwellers. Participants: Older adults (70+ years) with mobility limitations. Methods: Participants completed the SPPB under standardized conditions. Muscle power measures were estimated according to results of the 5-time sit-to-stand (5STS) test using validated equations. Then, four SPPB indexes were created by replacing 5STS test results with muscle power measures. Outcomes were assessed after 24 months of randomization and included mobility disability, hospitalization, and death. Results: Data from 1,422 participants were analyzed. Cox regression models revealed sex-specific associations between SPPB variants and adverse outcomes. SPPB indexes incorporating muscle strength or power were significantly associated with mobility disability in both sexes, and with hospitalization and death in women. According to Akaike's Information Criterion, muscle power-based SPPB indexes provided the best fit for predicting negative outcomes. Conclusions: Sex-specific associations exist between modified SPPB indexes and adverse outcomes in older adults with mobility limitations. Notably, SPPB variants incorporating muscle power measures demonstrated the best fit for adverse outcomes in comparison to traditional SPPB. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02582138 (registration date: 2015-10-08).</p
Sex-dependent effects of aging and insulin resistance on skeletal muscle function and structure in rats
Get PDFSkeletal muscle function is determinant for maintaining functional performance and independence in older adults. Muscle is a primary target of aging and insulin resistance (IR)—two conditions associated with functional decline. Sex-related differences may influence these effects at structural and functional levels. We aimed to evaluate the individual and combined effects of aging and IR on the function and structure of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles in male and female rats. Animals aged 3 and 20 months were studied, with IR induced by 8 weeks of 20% fructose in drinking water. Muscle contractility was assessed alongside histological and hormonal analyses. In males, aging impaired EDL and soleus contractile force, free testosterone levels, and muscle mass. IR decreased muscle function only in young animals. In females, aging led to muscle loss without affecting contractile strength, but the combination of aging and IR reduced muscle contraction, decreased estradiol and exacerbated muscle loss. Both sexes showed aging-related loss of EDL glycolytic fibers, altered regenerative capacity, and increased fibrosis. IR alone reduced glycolytic fibers in young animals of both sexes but increased fibrosis only in males. These results highlight sex-specific effects of aging and IR on muscle function, relevant for targeted strategies to prevent and treat age- and IR-related muscle function decline.</p
Frailty syndrome:basic and clinical aspects
No full textFrailty, a geriatric syndrome with a defined phenotype, was introduced by Linda Fried and Jeremy Walston; it is widely cited. The importance of this syndrome cannot be overstated: Frailty has an enormous relevance in clinical settings, and there are clear biological bases behind its phenotype. This book covers both biological and clinical aspects, including interactions with diseases like diabetes. Key Features: • Summarizes the history and recognition of the Frailty Syndrome • Provides an update and summary of a fast-growing field • Describes how free radical and oxidative stress contributed to current theories • Documents the impact that nutrition and physical activity play in the emergence of frailty.</p
Advancing sustainable development in Jordan:a business and economic analysis of electric vehicle adoption in the transportation sector
Get PDFThis study explores electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Jordan, focusing on key transitional factors. It examines government policies, market dynamics, technological advancements, and infrastructure development through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including government officials, industry experts, and consumers. The study provides insights into the economic prospects, infrastructure requirements, and regulatory measures necessary for widespread EV adoption. Government incentives, such as tax exemptions and reduced registration fees, are crucial, but challenges like insufficient charging infrastructure, high initial costs, and limited public awareness persist. Collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors are essential to develop resilient infrastructure, enhance consumer education, and foster technological innovation. The findings underscore the importance of government incentives and coordinated efforts to develop charging infrastructure and raise public awareness. Future research should focus on quantitative methods to validate these findings and explore additional strategies to overcome identified barriers.</p
Experimenting with uncertainty, advancing social justice:placing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and access centre stage in language assessment
No full textThe language assessment field has seen growing interest in matters of fairness, ethics and social responsibility, leading to increased concern for equity, access and inclusion for all test takers. In this paper I discuss how we might reframe thinking and practice to advance social justice. I explore specific EDI-related challenges, e.g. context relevance, stakeholder engagement, and lingua-cultural diversity, considering how to address and resolve such challenges in an ethically principled and evidence-based way. I also pay tribute to Professor Alan Davies as a pioneer in advancing ethical practice and social justice in the field–someone who was willing to “experiment with uncertainty.”1.</p
The ethics of AI in tourism and hospitality
No full textThe chapter examines ethical issues surrounding AI applications in tourism and hospitality, focusing on Smart Stay Hotels’ use of AI technologies to enhance customer service and satisfaction. However, there are downsides such as employee job insecurity and issues with data privacy among others. While lessening the concerns, the hotel chain advocates and encourages savvy ways of educating individuals; the objective is to develop moral standards and the clarity of data; therefore, build the trust which when acquired, paves the way for sound development in a rather competitive world.</p
Leading a personal development review? think about GenAI for scholarship
No full textWith personal development reviews taking place over the summer, perhaps this is the moment to focus on how teaching and learning practitioners are using GenAI for efficiency in terms of scholarship.<br/
Correction:Children’s Health in London and Luton (CHILL) cohort: a 12-month natural experimental study of the effects of the Ultra Low Emission Zone on children’s travel to school (International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, (2024), 21, 1, (89), 10.1186/s12966-024-01621-7)
Get PDFFollowing publication of the original article, the authors identified coding errors in the merging of datasets. Correcting these has resulted in an increased number of participants with complete covariate data. These corrections have had a minimal impact on the main findings; the magnitude of the effects and the primary conclusions remain supported. </p
Should conditional deceased organ donation be permitted? Identifying legal and ethical considerations
Get PDFIncreasing the availability of suitable organs is essential for life-saving transplant surgery. We highlight the importance of consent to deceased organ donation and discuss whether a ‘blanket ban’ on attaching conditions to a donation is appropriate by analysing relevant legal, ethical, and clinical considerations. The introduction highlights key issues in this area and defines the different kinds of conditional donations. We focus on conditions that seek to limit ‘who’ might receive an organ. The article outlines the current approach to conditions attached to the donation of organs. We identify key models of conditional organ donation: (a) no conditions allowed; (b) permit all conditions; and (c) permit some conditions. The third model of permitting some conditions includes permitting conditions except those contrary to equality and non-discrimination law, or permitting conditions as exceptions, or permitting conditions, but only as advisory. We demonstrate that there is room for disagreement about the permissibility of each model and argue that there is potential for reforming the law in this area to achieve the appropriate balance between protecting the personal autonomy of donors with the wider interests of protecting the organ allocation system.</p
Malware detection and identification methods
No full textNumerous malwares have been studied and fortifications throughout decades. New research shows that hazardous software is being created quickly. Frequent network and Internet use spreads and improves this software. To enhance computer security, researchers and manufacturers are developing effective anti-malware programs. This article thoroughly discusses malware infestation and anti-malware software advances. Thus, it gives the current malware system developer detection reference.</p
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