197 research outputs found
Estimating minute ventilation and air pollution inhaled dose using heart rate, breath frequency, age, sex and forced vital capacity: A pooled-data analysis
No full textAir pollution inhaled dose is the product of pollutant concentration and minute ventilation ([Formula: see text]). Previous studies have parameterized the relationship between [Formula: see text] and variables such as heart rate (HR) and have observed substantial inter-subject variability. In this paper, we evaluate a method to estimate [Formula: see text] with easy-to-measure variables in an analysis of pooled-data from eight independent studies. We compiled a large diverse data set that is balanced with respect to age, sex and fitness level. We used linear mixed models to estimate [Formula: see text] with HR, breath frequency (fB), age, sex, height, and forced vital capacity (FVC) as predictors. FVC was estimated using the Global Lung Function Initiative method. We log-transformed the dependent and independent variables to produce a model in the form of a power function and assessed model performance using a ten-fold cross-validation procedure. The best performing model using HR as the only field-measured parameter was [Formula: see text] = e-9.59HR2.39age0.274sex-0.204FVC0.520 with HR in beats per minute, age in years, sex is 1 for males and 2 for females, FVC in liters, and a median(IQR) cross-validated percent error of 0.664(45.4)%. The best performing model overall was [Formula: see text] = e-8.57HR1.72fB0.611age0.298sex-0.206FVC0.614, where fB is breaths per minute, and a median(IQR) percent error of 1.20(37.9)%. The performance of these models is substantially better than any previously-published model when evaluated using this large pooled-data set. We did not observe an independent effect of height on [Formula: see text], nor an effect of race, though this may have been due to insufficient numbers of non-white participants. We did observe an effect of FVC such that these models over- or under-predict [Formula: see text] in persons whose measured FVC was substantially lower or higher than estimated FVC, respectively. Although additional measurements are necessary to confirm this finding regarding FVC, we recommend using measured FVC when possible.Peer reviewedFinal article published
Avaliação da função pulmonar e óbitos em pacientes asmáticos graves admitidos na central de referência do Programa para o Controle da Asma na Bahia- ProAR
No full textA asma é uma doença caracterizada por inflamação das vias aéreas e broncoconstricção, determinando padrões distintos de função pulmonar conforme a gravidade da doença. O número de hospitalizações e a ocorrência de óbitos por asma estão associados à diversos fatores que podem resultar em alterações da função pulmonar. Objetivos. Avaliar se os parâmetros de função pulmonar (CVF, VEF1, FEF 25-75% e PFE) são preditores para óbitos entre os pacientes admitidos na central de referência do Programa para o Controle da Asma na Bahia (ProAR) no período de 2002 a 2010 e caracterizar os óbitos presentes na amostra. Métodos. Trata-se de um estudo caso-controle aninhado à coorte, retrospectivo, onde foram analisados prontuários de pacientes asmáticos que morreram (casos) e pacientes asmáticos vivos (controles) admitidos na central de referência do Programa para Controle da Asma na Bahia (ProAR), entre 2002 e 2010. Foram incluídos no estudo todos os óbitos por asma ocorridos entre 2002 e 2010, que apresentavam atestado de óbito. A seleção dos controles foi realizada através de sorteio aleatório. As variáveis foram analisadas através de média, frequência simples e porcentagem. Resultados. Foram avaliados 50 casos e 199 controles, 71 do sexo masculino e 178 do feminino, com media de idade de 57,4 (variação 10- 88 anos). Sobre as causas básicas de óbito, predominaram as causas respiratórias/ pulmonares. Em relação aos casos, os valores de FVC apresentaram uma média de 2,1 (65,5%) e 2,2 (69,7%) antes e após do uso do broncodilatador; média de FEV1 de 1,1 (43,4%) e 2,9 (48,3%), antes e após o uso de broncodilatador; e médias de 18,1 (69,2%) e 15,5 (71,9%) para a relação entre o Volume Expiratório Forçado no primeiro segundo e a Capacidade Vital Forçada (FEV1/FVC), antes e após uso de broncodilatador. Em relação ao Pico de Fluxo Expiratório foram encontradas médias de 54,5 (37,7%) e 62,5 (44,2%) antes e após o uso de broncodilatador. Discussão. No estudo predominaram casos de óbito de indivíduos do sexo masculino e pardos .Verificou-se que a médias da FVC e do FEV1 apresentaram-se reduzidas no grupo de casos e com menor resposta ao broncodilatador quando comparadas com as observadas no grupo controle. Os dados encontrados no presente estudo, referentes à relação FEV1/ FVC demonstraram que nos óbitos a média de FEV1/FVC era inferior a 70% antes do uso de broncodilatador
Fully electrified heat pump assisted distillation process by flash vapour circulation
No full textIn industrial processes there are instances where heat pump assisted distillation falls short of full electrification, necessitating an auxiliary reboiler. To solve this limiting issue, this short communication proposes a new method using flash vapour circulation (FVC) to recuperate the waste heat within the heat pump cycle. This method incorporates a flash drum after the throttling valve to generate flash vapour. Rather than employing an auxiliary cooler for condensing the mixed vapour-liquid in a conventional heat pump system, the produced flash vapour is circulated back to the compressor inlet to enhance the recycled heat in the reboiler. With proper energy match, this approach has the potential to realise full electrification of distillation. The distillation of methanol/water serves as an illustrative case study, showcasing the viability of FVC which allows additional 22% energy savings, as compared to mechanical vapour recompression. Yet, this strategy may not be advantageous if the waste heat is already maximally utilised in preheating both the compressor and column inlet feed. The separation of tetrahydrofuran/water is used as case study to demonstrate the limitations of this approach.ChemE/Product and Process EngineeringChemE/Process Systems Engineerin
Vitamin D Status and Longitudinal Changes in Body Composition in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – A Prospective Observational Study
No full textMaria Minter,1,2 Jenny van Odijk,1 Hanna Augustin,1 Felipe VC Machado,3,4 Frits ME Franssen,5,6 Martijn A Spruit,5,6 Lowie EGW Vanfleteren1,5 1Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 405 30, Sweden; 2Department of Lung Medicine, Angered Hospital, SV Hospital Group, Angered, 424 22, Sweden; 3Rehabilitation Research Center (REVAL), Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; 4Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; 5Department of Research and Development, Ciro, Horn, the Netherlands; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands; 6Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, the NetherlandsCorrespondence: Maria Minter, Department of Lung Medicine, Angered Hospital, SV Hospital Group, Angered, 424 22, Sweden, Email [email protected]: Alterations in body weight and composition are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are independent predictors for morbidity and mortality. Low vitamin D status is also more prevalent in patients with COPD compared to controls and has been related to lower lung function, muscle atrophy and impaired musculoskeletal function. This study aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin D levels and status with body composition (BC), as well as with its changes over time.Patients and Methods: Patients with COPD and controls without COPD, participating in the Individualized COPD Evaluation in relation to Ageing (ICE‐Age) study, a prospective observational study, were included. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured at baseline and BC was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scan, at baseline and after two years of follow-up. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationships between 25(OH)D (nmol/l) and longitudinal changes in BMI, fat-free mass index (FFMI), fat mas index (FMI) and bone mineral density (BMD).Results: A total of 192 patients with COPD (57% males, mean ± SD age, 62 ± 7, FEV1, 49 ± 16% predicted) and 199 controls (45% males, mean ± SD age 61 ± 7) were included in this study. Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients with COPD (64 ± 26 nmol/L, 95% CI 60– 68 nmol/L versus 75 ± 25 nmol/L, 95% CI 72– 79 nmol/L) compared to controls. Both patients and controls presented a significant decline in FFMI and T-score hip, but vitamin D level or status did not determine differences in BC or changes in BC over time in either COPD or controls.Conclusion: Vitamin D status was not associated with BC or longitudinal changes in BC. However, vitamin D insufficiency and low BMD were more prevalent in patients with COPD compared to controls.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, body composition, vitamin D, longitudinal changes, fat-free mass, bone mineral densit
Measuring children’s self-efficacy and proxy efficacy related to fruit and vegetable consumption
No full textBACKGROUND: Social cognitive theory describes self-efficacy and proxy efficacy as influences on fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC). Proxy efficacy was defined as a child’s confidence in his or her skills and abilities to get others to act in one’s interests to provide fruit and vegetable (FV) opportunities. The purpose of this study was to develop a scale assessing children’s self-efficacy and proxy efficacy for FVC at after-school programs and at home.
METHODS: Elementary-aged children (n = 184) attending 7 after-school programs completed a self-efficacy questionnaire relevant to FVC. Questionnaire validity was investigated with exploratory factor analysis and mixed-model analysis of covariance. Internal consistency reliability and readability were also assessed.
RESULTS: The questionnaire assessed 4 constructs: self-efficacy expectations for fruit consumption, self-efficacy expectations for vegetable consumption, proxy efficacy to influence parents to make FV available, and proxy efficacy to influence after-school staff to make FV available. Children perceiving FV opportunities in after-school had greater self-efficacy expectations for FVC and greater proxy efficacy to influence after-school staff compared to students who did not perceive FV opportunities. Children attending schools of higher socioeconomic status (SES) and less diversity were more confident they could influence their parents to make FV available than students attending lower SES and less diverse schools. Adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliabilities were established.
CONCLUSIONS: Self-efficacy is a multicomponent construct that can be assessed in children using the reliable and valid instrument evaluated by the current study
[[alternative]]The Effects of 12-Week Tai Chi Chuan Training on Lung Function and cardiovascular Fitness of Asthmatic Children
No full text[[abstract]]Regular exercise has benefits for releasing the symptoms of asthma; however, few researches have been conducted to exam the values of Tai Chi Chuan for the asthmatic children. The purposes of this research were to investigate the effects of 12-week Tai Chi Chuan training on lung function and cardio-respiratory fitness of asthmatic students. Thirty two asthmatic students ( average age was 9.77±1.79 years and body weight was 36.66±12.59kgs) were recruited as the subjects and randomly assigned into experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). The subjects of EG had received 12 week Chen-Style Tai Chi Chuan training, 3 days per week, 45 minutes each day with the intensity of 45-60% Maximal heart rate. The CG subjects received no training except 2 hours PE class activity each week for both groups. The Lung function test of each subject was taken before training、6 and 12 weeks after training, including the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF). The 800 meters run and walk test was measured before and after 12 weeks training. The collected data was analyzed by independent t-test and mixed two-way ANOVA and the results were as followed: 1. The FVC, FEV1 and PEF of lung function showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in a state of rest after 12 weeks of training. 2. The increased rate of post-exercise FVC and FEV1 of EG were significantly greater than that of CG (p<0.05) after 12 week of training. However, the ratio of improvement were not significant between EG and CG. 3. The lung function (FVC, FEV1 and PEF) after exercise with ice drink and cardiovascular fitness were not significant increase after training. The 12-week Tai Chi Chuan training showed positive effects on lung function of asthma-children in the rest state and post exercise condition.
Geographic variation in Chinese children’ forced vital capacity and its association with long-term exposure to local PM10: a national cross-sectional study
No full textThe purpose of this study was to estimate the association between Chinese children's forced vital capacity (FVC) and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤10\ua0μm (PM10). The FVC data of 71,763 children aged 7 to 18 was collected from 2010 Chinese National Survey on Students' Construction and Health (CNSSCH). The local annual average concentration of PM10, relative humidity, ambient temperature, and other air pollutant data of 30 cities was collected from China Meteorological Administration and Ministry of Environment Protection of China. Then, we used generalized additive model (GAM) to estimate the association between children's FVC and PM10. The obvious geographic variation in FVC was found in children of 30 Chinese cities ranging from 1647\ua0ml in Xining to 2571\ua0ml in Beijing. The annual average concentration of PM10 was also different, ranging from 40\ua0μg/m(3) in Haikou to 155\ua0μg/m(3) in Lanzhou. After adjusted individual characteristics, socioeconomic conditions, ambient temperature, relative humidity, and other air pollutants (e.g., NO2 and SO2) in the generalized additive model, we found that the increase of PM10 was associated with decrease of FVC in Chinese children. A 10-μg/m(3) increase of PM10 was associated with 1.33-ml decrease in FVC (95% confidence interval: -2.18 to -0.47). We also found a larger effect estimate of PM10 on FVC in boys than that in girls. Consistent associations were found in both physically inactive and active children. The increase of PM10 was associated with decrease of children's FVC. We should develop proper public health policy to protect children's respiratory health during growth and development in polluted areas
Association Between Rectus Abdominis Denervation and Ventilation Dysfunction in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
No full textBackground: Spontaneous potentials in electromyography (EMG) of paraspinal muscles are associated with diaphragm denervation and, therefore, poor respiratory function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is understandable. EMG changes in the rectus abdominis (RA) display an effect similar to those in paraspinal muscles with respect to the function of lower motor neurons in the thoracic spinal cord. The RA denervation was examined to determine its association with ventilation dysfunction in ALS.
Methods: We collected the clinical data of 128 patients with sporadic ALS in Department of Neurology of Peking University Third Hospital from 2009 to 2013. EMG, Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were performed in all patients and the differences in the EMG changes in RA between those with and without FVC ≥ 80% were analysed.
Results: The mean FVC value was 83.4% ± 17.1% (range: 45%–131%) of the predicted value. A total of 79 patients displayed FVC ≥80%, and 49 patients displayed FVC <80%. Compared with the patients displaying a normal FVC (60/79, 75.9%), spontaneous activity in RA was significantly different among those patients displaying an FVC <80% (47/49, 95.9%). In addition, spontaneous potentials in RA were more frequently detected in patients exhibiting dyspnea (32/33, 97.0%) than in patients without dyspnea (75/95, 78.9%).
Conclusion: Spontaneous potentials in RA are associated with ventilation dysfunction and dyspnea in ALS patients
Catalyzing collaboration for the future of food: A service proposition to accelerate sustainable innovation in the food value chain
No full textAs the world’s population is constantly growing, there is increased pressure on agricultural food value chains to deliver sustainable food production, distribution, and consumption, forcing core stakeholders in the food value chain (FVC) to change to meet those needs. One of the most significant barriers is a lack of collaboration, which risks staying in a dynamic of incremental innovation, whereas increasing sustainability requires radical innovations and innovative design. A positive chain interdependence can be the key to accelerating sustainable innovation. However, due to the complexity of chain configurations and collaboration models, a lack of interdependence among FVC stakeholders is observed. A holistic chain approach is missing in academic literature to solve that. Furthermore, there is ignorance of stakeholder motives and roles to collaborate. Hence, the first part of this thesis is to solve this literature gap by researching the drivers, barriers, and roles of stakeholders in the FVC collaborating for sustainable transformation. The research results in several outcomes, whereas the lack of trust, leadership and a conservative mindset are the most significant barriers. This project is conducted in close collaboration with Accenture, which wants to position itself in the agri-food industry as a stronger partner, accelerator, and orchestrator for sustainable transitions and innovation ecosystems. Therefore, the overall research question is: How can Accenture accelerate sustainable innovation through stakeholder collaboration in the food value chain? The found barriers are amended into needs where Accenture can play upon to bridge the gap from the research into a potential service the company can offer to the FVC. The final concept is designed for Accenture’s Food of the Future (FotF) capability, which has overlapping ambitions and interests as this thesis aims. The challenge lies in the explore phase, where core stakeholders find it difficult to anticipate their role, incentive, and vision before collaborating with others. Hence, the final deliverable is a service proposition for Accenture that helps the company to get insights into the core stakeholders' values and needs to guide them towards a future-oriented mindset. The designed proposition consists of several elements and is based on the existing participatory backcasting framework and the FutureEquity method of Van Berlo. A blueprint shows three phases: explore, envision, and engage, focusing on the interplay between Accenture and the targeted stakeholder. A redesigned toolkit guides the consultants in creating new content and future scenarios that catalyses the thought process of the stakeholder by exposing the possibilities and dead ends of sustainable innovation on the supported platform. The core stakeholder gets the chance to react, whereas Accenture uses that data to create engagement and traction for a potential innovation ecosystem. Lastly, a roadmap presents the required steps to implement the service successfully into the company. The steps consist of laying down a proper foundation, then launching it for current clients (B2B), whereafter the service becomes a separate entity that reaches core stakeholders (B2B2C). Combining all elements creates a unique proposition for Accenture to catalyse existing and potential FVC clients in the agri-food industry to accelerate sustainable innovation.Strategic Product Desig
Integrative Approach: A Teacher Evaluation Process to Improve Practice at Fraser Valley Christian High School
No full textThis qualitative case study examines if the teacher evaluation process at Fraser Valley Christian High School (FVC) leads to improved teacher practices. In this case study, the author examines three current teachers at FVC who have gone through the evaluation process in the last twelve months and the impact the evaluation process had on their practice. FVC takes an integrated approach to its evaluation, combining both summative and formative evaluations with a focus on teacher participation in all facets of the process. Teachers at FVC are invited to consider how the domains of Planning and Preparation, Classroom Instruction, Classroom Community, Professional Responsibility, and Mission and Vision impact their teaching practice. These domains are considered through the use of dialogue, journaling, reading, peer observation, student surveys, parent surveys, and a summative evaluation. This case study demonstrates how the integrated teacher evaluation system at Fraser Valley Christian High School leads to improved practice
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