GIS mapping of agricultural plastic waste in southern Europe.

The escalating use of plastics in agriculture, driven by global population growth and increasing food demand, has concurrently led to a rise in Agricultural Plastic Waste (APW) production. Effective waste management is imperative, prompting this study to address the initial step of management, that is the quantification and localization of waste generated from different production systems in diverse regions. Focused on four Southern European countries (Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal) at the regional level, the study uses Geographic Information System (GIS), land use maps, indices tailored to each specific agricultural application and each crop type for plastic waste mapping. Furthermore, after the data was employed, it was validated by relevant stakeholders of the mentioned countries. The study revealed Spain, particularly the Andalusia region, as the highest contributor to APW equal to 324,000 tons per year, while Portugal's Azores region had the lowest estimate equal to 428 tons per year. Significantly, this research stands out as one of the first to comprehensively consider various plastic applications and detailed crop cultivations within the production systems, representing a pioneering effort in addressing plastic waste management in Southern Europe. This can lead further on to the management of waste in this area and the transfer of the scientific proposition to other countries.

Growth and physical development of children at apparent risk of sarcopenia.

BACKGROUND: The consequences of sarcopenia on growth have received little attention. We analysed the potential risk resulting from the low lean mass for age expressed through the appendicular lean body mass index (aLBMI) and the ratio aLBM/trunk fat mass (trFM). METHODS: The sample consisted of 580 participants 10-13 yrs evaluated twice in a 12-month interval: height, trFM, total and aLBM, whole-body bone mineral density less head (WBLH BMD), tibia and radius SOS, maturity and handgrip strength were measured. All variables except maturity and BMI were standardised according to sex and age group (Z-score) using the sample as a reference. A high risk of sarcopenia was identified for Z-scores ≤ -1 on aLBMI (Group B) or aLBM/trFM (Group C), while Z-scores > -1 on both markers were considered at low risk for sarcopenia (Group A). The ANCOVA adjusted for maturity was used to compare the three groups. RESULTS: Girls showed a more significant decrease in the total BMC/LBM ratio in Group B and a minor increase in WBLH BMD in Group C (p < 0.050); boys in Group B showed a tendency to gain less height (p = 0.053). CONCLUSION: The high risk of sarcopenia expressed through aLBMI or aLBM/trFM Z-score ≤ -1 compromises bone mineralisation in girls. IMPACT: The findings emphasise the necessity of implementing routine screening protocols for sarcopenia risk within clinical environments and educational institutions. Such screenings should extend beyond merely assessing body mass index to encompass broader body composition variables like lean body mass. By integrating these assessments into routine health evaluations, healthcare professionals and educators can proactively identify at-risk individuals and initiate timely interventions for suboptimal physical growth and development.

Musculoskeletal fitness: relative handgrip strength and vertical jump power from 10 to 18 years old.

Background: There is an increasing consensus on the relevance of musculoskeletal fitness for health throughout the life cycle, requiring evaluation approaches and description of results capable of characterizing different age groups and body sizes. This study aimed to describe the musculoskeletal fitness of young Portuguese people aged 10-18 through handgrip strength (HGS) and vertical jump power (VJP) and investigate differences between the sexes. Methods: The sample included 736 participants (359 girls recruited from schools. HGS (kg) was assessed using a handheld dynamometer, and VJP (W) was assessed using a force platform; both measurements were standardized for body mass. Results: Higher HGS and VJP were observed in boys than in girls from 13 years old (13 years: p ≤ 0.05; 14-18 years: p ≤ 0.001), with no significant differences before this age. The percentile distributions of HGS and VJP are described for each sex using the lambda, mu, sigma (LMS) method. The pattern of development of these variables as a function of age is presented. Conclusions: Handgrip strength and vertical jump power show differences between the sexes from 13 years of age and similar trajectories to populations in other countries in the same age group.

Quality of life in sarcopenia measured with the SarQoL questionnaire: A meta-analysis of individual patient data.

Age-related sarcopenia, resulting from a gradual loss in skeletal muscle mass and strength, is pivotal to the increased prevalence of functional limitation among the older adult community. The purpose of this meta-analysis of individual patient data is to investigate the difference in health-related quality of life between sarcopenic individuals and those without the condition using the Sarcopenia Quality of Life (SarQoL) questionnaire. A protocol was published on PROSPERO. Multiple databases and the grey literature were searched until March 2023 for studies reporting quality of life assessed with the SarQoL for patients with and without sarcopenia. Two researchers conducted the systematic review independently. A two-stage meta-analysis was performed. First, crude (mean difference) and adjusted (beta coefficient) effect sizes were calculated within each database; then, a random effect meta-analysis was applied to pool them. Heterogeneity was measured using the Q-test and I2 value. Subgroup analyses were performed to investigate the source of potential heterogeneity. The strength of evidence of this association was assessed using GRADE. From the 413 studies identified, 32 were eventually included, of which 10 were unpublished data studies. Sarcopenic participants displayed significantly reduced health-related quality of life compared with non-sarcopenic individuals (mean difference = -12.32; 95 % CI = [-15.27; -9.37]). The model revealed significant heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses revealed a substantial impact of regions, clinical settings, and diagnostic criteria on the difference in health-related quality of life between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic individuals. The level of evidence was moderate. This meta-analysis of individual patient data suggested that sarcopenia is associated with lower health-related quality of life measured with SarQoL.

Risk phenotype for sarcopenia in older adults from Amazonas, Brazil; a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There are several markers for the suspicion, identification, and confirmation of sarcopenia. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the importance of several markers for assessing sarcopenia by classifying phenotypes based on five domains: symptomatology, muscle function, muscle mass, physical performance, and physical function. METHODS: A cross-sectional study analysing 312 older adults (72.6±7.8 yrs) was conducted in Novo Aripuanã, Amazonas, Brazil. Symptoms of sarcopenia were determined with the SARC-Calf; muscle function was assessed using the 30-Chair Stand test (CST), 30-CST power, and handgrip strength (HGS) with and without normalisation for body mass/height; the skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) was estimated from anthropometry; physical performance was determined through the 4-m gait speed (GS) and 6-min walking test (6MWT); and physical function was determined with the Composite Physical Function Scale (CPF). RESULTS: Cluster analysis revealed two phenotypes (at risk vs not at risk for sarcopenia) and the contribution of each marker (ranged from 0 to 1). In men, the contribution of each marker was: 1 for SARC-Calf, 0.18 for SMMI, 0.09 for 30-CST power and 0.06 for HGS; in women: 1 for SARC-Calf, 0.25 for 30-CST power, 0.22 for SMMI, 0.06 for GS, 0.04 for HGS, and 0.03 for CPF. Considering the cutoff values proposed by Rikli and Jones (2013) for physical function and Cruz-Jentoft et al. (2019) for the other domains, the risk profile for sarcopenia was characterized by: high SARC-Calf in both sexes (men:51.8 vs 3.6%, p<0.001; women:71.2 vs 1.1%, p<0.001), low SMMI (men:73.2 vs 44.6%, p<0.002; women:44.1 vs 23.6%, p = 0.002); in women, low GS (38.7 vs 12.4%, p<0.001) and low CPF (29.7 vs 15.7%, p = 0.020), and no differences in HGS between groups in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: SARC-Calf, SMMI, and 30-CST were more relevant markers for sarcopenia risk in older adults of both sexes, GS and CPF played also an important role in women.

Learning needs in healthy and active aging according to key stakeholders: a multinational survey.

Healthy and active aging and age-friendly society frameworks attempt to address the well-documented challenges and opportunities of population aging. To meet the needs of an increasingly older society, there is a demand for professionals with appropriate age-related knowledge and skills. To this end, a master's in active aging is in development. This study reports on the consultation with prospective students, employers, older people and academics on the knowledge areas to be included in the course. An anonymous online survey gathered data from stakeholders in Ireland, Slovenia, Austria, Portugal, Finland, and Greece. Participants ranked the importance of 14 broad knowledge areas and linked topics. The influence of participant characteristics on decisions was examined using multivariate regression modeling. Across all stakeholder groups (total sample N = 757), health promotion was most often deemed very important (80%), followed by psychology (73%), and social inclusion and engagement (71%). Potential students from healthcare backgrounds were more interested than others in aging physiology, social aspects, and the physical environment. More western-located European countries overall showed more enthusiasm for the topics presented, additional to regional variations between topics. This learning needs analysis provides multi-stakeholder insights into priorities regarding learning in healthy and active aging and age-friendly society.

Diagnostic performance of SARC-F and SARC-CalF in screening for sarcopenia in older adults in Northern Brazil.

To compare the performance of SARC-F and SARC-CalF as screening tools for sarcopenia. Cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 312 community-dwelling older people. Sarcopenia was defined as low handgrip strength (HGS) or low gait speed (GS ≤ 0.8 m/s). HGS was measured by dynamometry and GS by the 4-m walking speed test. For HGS, six criteria (C) were used to identify sarcopenia in men/women: CI: < 27 kg/16 kg; CII: < 35.5 kg/20.0 kg; CIII: grip over body mass index < 1.05/< 0.79; CIV: grip strength over total body fat < 1.66/< 0.65; CV: grip over bodyweight < 0.45/< 0.34; CVI: < 27 kg/16 kg and low skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI); CI and CVI defined according to the European Working Group on sarcopenia in older people and the rest according to the sarcopenia definition and outcomes Consortium. For sarcopenia screening, the SARC-F (≥ 4 points) and the SARC-CalF (≥ 11 points) were used. The kappa analysis revealed no agreement between the SARC-F and the various criteria for the identification of sarcopenia in men. The same lack of agreement was observed in women with some exceptions: CI = 0.161 ± 0.074, p = 0.020; GS = 0.209 ± 0.076, p = 0.003. Concerning the Cohen's kappa between the SARC-Calf and the reference criteria of sarcopenia, the following coefficients were observed as significant for women: CI = 0.201 ± 0.069, p = 0.003; CII = 0.186 ± 0.064, p = 0.005; GS = 0.273 ± 0.068, p = 0.0001; and for men: CII = 0.139 ± 0.053, p = 0.021; GS = 0.223 ± 0.099, p = 0.011. ROC curves revealed the SARC-Calf with acceptable discrimination and reasonable sarcopenia predictive capacity considering a cutoff value of 10.5 in both men (AUC: 67.5%, p = 0.022; Se = 52.9%; Sp = 76.8%) and women (AUC: 72.4%, p < 0.001; Se = 63%; Sp = 68.5%) concerning GS. The SARC-CalF performed better than the SARC-F for screening sarcopenia in the population ≥ 60 years of age in the Amazonas, measured through walking slowness.

Body composition and musculoskeletal fitness: A cluster analysis for the identification of risk phenotypes for pediatric sarcopenia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Sarcopenia is primarily a disease in older people characterized by reduced muscle mass and strength. Nevertheless, sarcopenia may, at least partially, have pediatric origins. The study aimed to identify risk phenotypes for sarcopenia in healthy young people using clustering analysis procedures based on body composition and musculoskeletal fitness. METHODS: We conducted a cluster cross-sectional analysis of data from 529 youth aged 10-18 yr. Body composition was assessed using whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), determining: lean body mass index (LBMI, kg/m2), fat body mass index (FBMI, kg/m2), abdominal FBMI (kg/m2), and lean body mass/fat body mass ratio (LBM/FBM); body mass index was also calculated (BMI, kg/m2). Musculoskeletal fitness was assessed using handgrip strength (kg) and vertical jump power (W) tests. Results were presented as absolute values and adjusted by body mass. Plank endurance (s) was also assessed. All variables were sex and age in years standardized (Z-score). LBMI or LBM/FBM ratio ≤ -1 SD were used to identify participants at risk for sarcopenia. Maturity was estimated as the years of distance from the peak height velocity (PHV) age. RESULTS: Using the Z-score means for body composition and musculoskeletal fitness and having LBMI or LBM/FBM ratio as the categorical variables (at risk vs. not at risk), the cluster analyses indicated three homogeneous groups (phenotypes, P): P1, risk body composition and unfit; P2, non-risk body composition and non-fit, and P3, non-risk body composition and fit. With the LBMI as a categorical variable, the ANOVA models showed that the body composition and absolute values of musculoskeletal fitness were in P1 < P2 < P3 and the estimated PHV age of P1 > P3 in both sexes (p < 0.001). Having the LBM/FBM as a categorical variable, higher values of BMI, FBMI, and abdominal FBMI, and lower values of handgrip strength and vertical jump power both adjusted for body mass and plank endurance were observed in P1 than in P2 and/or P3 and the P2 than in the P3 in boys and girls (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Two risk phenotypes for sarcopenia were identified in apparently healthy young people: I. a low LBMI phenotype with low BMI and II. a low LBM to FBM phenotype with high BMI and FBMI. In both risk phenotypes I and II, musculoskeletal fitness was low. For screening, we suggest using absolute measures of handgrip strength and vertical jump power in phenotype I and body mass adjusted measures of these markers, as well as the plank endurance time in phenotype II.

Body composition phenotypes and bone health in young adults: A cluster analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Lean mass is considered the best predictor of bone mass, as it is an excellent marker of bone mechanical stimulation, and changes in lean mass are highly correlated with bone outcomes in young adults. The aim of this study was to use cluster analysis to examine phenotype categories of body composition assessed by lean and fat mass in young adults and to assess how these body composition categories are associated with bone health outcomes. METHODS: Cluster cross-sectional analyses of data from 719 young adults (526 women) aged 18-30 years from Cuenca and Toledo, Spain, were conducted. Lean mass index (lean mass (kg)/height (m)2), fat mass index (fat mass (kg)/height (m)2), bone mineral content (BMC) and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: A cluster analysis of lean mass and fat mass index z scores resulted in a classification of a five-category cluster solution that could be interpreted according to the body composition phenotypes of individuals as follows: high adiposity-high lean mass (n = 98), average adiposity-high lean mass (n = 113), high adiposity-average lean mass (n = 213), low adiposity-average lean mass (n = 142), and average adiposity-low lean mass (n = 153). ANCOVA models showed that individuals in clusters with a higher lean mass had significantly better bone health (z score: 0.764, se: 0.090) than their peers in other cluster categories (z score: -0.529, se: 0.074) after controlling for sex, age, and cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.05). Additionally, subjects belonging to the categories with a similar average lean mass index but with high or low-adiposity levels (z score: 0.289, se: 0.111; z score: 0.086, se: 0.076) showed better bone outcomes when the fat mass index was higher (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the validity of a body composition model using a cluster analysis to classify young adults according to their lean mass and fat mass indices. In addition, this model reinforces the main role of lean mass on bone health in this population and that in phenotypes with high-average lean mass, factors associated with fat mass may also have a positive effect on bone status.

Musculoskeletal Fitness for Identifying Low Physical Function in Older Women.

AIMS: This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the relevance of musculoskeletal fitness for identifying low physical functioning in community-dwelling older women. METHODS: Sixty-six older women (73.62 ± 8.23 yrs old) performed a musculoskeletal fitness assessment of the upper and lower limbs. A handheld dynamometer was used to evaluate upper-limb muscle strength through a handgrip (HG) test. Lower-limb power and force were assessed from a two-leg countermovement vertical jump (VJ) on a ground reaction force platform. Physical functioning was assessed subjectively using the Composite Physical Function (CPF) questionnaire and objectively by daily step count measured by accelerometry and gait speed/agility assessed by the 8-Foot Up-and-Go (TUG) test. Logistic regressions and ROC curves were carried out to define odds ratios and ideal cutoff values for discriminatory variables. RESULTS: VJ power showed the ability to identify low physical functioning when evaluated through the CPF (14 W/kg, 1011 W), gait speed/agility (15 W/kg, 800 W), or daily accumulated steps (17 W/kg). Considering that VJ power was normalized for body mass, the increase of 1 W/kg corresponds to a decrease of 21%, 19%, or 16% in the chance of low physical functioning when expressed by these variables, respectively. HG strength and VJ force did not show a capacity to identify low physical functioning. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that VJ power is the only marker of low physical functioning when considering the three benchmarks: perception of physical ability, capacity for mobility, and daily mobility.

Postgraduate education in healthy and active ageing: a systematic scoping review of learning needs, curricula and learning impact.

To inform a new European-based online master's programme in active aging and age-friendly society, a scoping review was performed to identify previously reported learning needs and learning outcomes on this topic. Four electronic databases (PubMed, EBSCO [Academic Search Complete], Scopus, and ASSIA) were systematically searched, along with gray literature. Dual, independent review of an initial 888 studies led to 33 included papers which underwent independent data extraction and reconciliation. Just 18.2% of studies employed a student survey or similar to determine learning needs, with the majority reporting educational intervention objectives, learning outcomes or curriculum content. Main study topics were intergenerational learning (36.4%), age-related design (27.3%), health (21.2%), attitudes toward aging (6.1%), and collaborative learning (6.1%). This review found limited literature on student learning needs in healthy and active aging. Future research should elucidate student- and other stakeholder-determined learning needs, with robust evaluation of post-education skills, attitudes, and practice change.

Potential for Ammonia Generation and Emission in Broiler Production Facilities in Brazil.

Air quality is one of the main factors that must be guaranteed in animal production. However, the measurement of pollutants is still a problem in several countries because the available methods are costly and do not always apply to the reality of the constructive typology adopted, as in countries with a hot climate, which adopt predominantly open facilities. Thus, the objective of the present study was to develop predictive models for the potential generation and emission of ammonia in the production of broiler chickens with different types of litter, different reuse cycles and under different climatic conditions. Samples of poultry litter from thirty commercial aviaries submitted to different air temperatures were analyzed. The experiment was conducted and analyzed in a completely randomized design, following a factorial scheme. Models were developed to predict the potential for generation and emission of ammonia, which can be applied in facilities with ambient conditions of air temperature between 25 and 40 °C and with wood shaving bed with up to four reuse cycles and coffee husks bed with up to six reuse cycles. The developed and validated models showed high accuracy indicating that they can be used to estimate the potential for ammonia generation and emission.

Symptoms of Sarcopenia and Physical Fitness through the Senior Fitness Test.

INTRODUCTION: Physical fitness concerns a set of attributes related to the ability to perform physical activity that may justify the symptoms reported by the elderly in the context of sarcopenia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the perception (symptomatology) of physical functioning (what the person thinks they are capable of) and the capacity itself for physical functioning in elderly people in northern Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that analyzed 312 elderly people (72.6 ± 7.8 years) from the city of Novo Aripuanã, Amazonas, Brazil. Sarcopenia symptomatology was assessed using the SARC-F, a 5-item questionnaire designed for screening sarcopenia in older individuals in five domains: strength, walking aids, difficulty getting up from a chair, difficulty climbing stairs, and falls. Physical fitness was assessed by the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) battery including balance evaluated with the short version of the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale (FAB). RESULTS: ROC curve analysis revealed that the tests with the greatest ability to discriminate participants with significant symptoms for sarcopenia (≥4 points on SARC-F) were arm curl and 6 min walk: the probability of suspected sarcopenia increased exponentially with an arm curl < 11.5 reps for men (se = 71%; sp = 69%; AUC = 0.706, 95% CI: 0.612-0.788; p = 0.013) and women (se = 81%; sp = 51%; AUC = 0.671, 95% CI: 0.601-0.735; p ≤ 0.001) or with a 6-min walk <408.5 m for men (se = 71%; sp = 63%; AUC = 0.720, 95% CI: 0.628-0.690; p = 0.001) and <366.0 m for women (se = 69%; sp = 58%; AUC = 0.692, 95% CI: 0.623-0.755; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Physical fitness assessed through the senior fitness test, particularly the 30-s-arm curl test and the 6-min walk test, can discriminate for suspected symptoms of sarcopenia.

Mat Pilates and belly dance: Effects on patient-reported outcomes among breast cancer survivors receiving hormone therapy and adherence to exercise.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer treatment leads to several side effects. Exercise can help to reduce these side effects. However, it is unknown whether a mat Pilates or a belly dance intervention can improve the patient-reported outcomes of these women. OBJECTIVE: Examine the effects of a 16-week exercise intervention (mat Pilates or belly dance) on patient reported outcomes (PROs) among breast cancer survivors, at 16 weeks, six months, and 12 months; and investigate sociodemographic and clinical predictors of intervention adherence. METHODS: Seventy-four breast cancer survivors who were receiving hormone therapy were randomly allocated into mat Pilates (n = 25), belly dance (n = 25) or control group (educational sessions) (n = 24). Mat Pilates and belly dance groups received a 16-week intervention, delivered three days a week and 60 min a session. The control group received three education sessions and continue usual care. The patient reported outcomes assessed were depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), stress (Perceived Stress Scale), optimism (Life Orientation Test), fatigue (FACT-F), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and pain (VAS), clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, and habitual physical activity (IPAQ short). RESULTS: All three groups showed a significant improvement in fatigue, and this effect was maintained during follow-up. No significant effects were found for depressive symptoms, optimism, stress, or pain. A history of exercise prior to breast cancer and be inactive after diagnosis were significant predictors of adherence to interventions. CONCLUSION: Mat Pilates, belly dance and a few educational sessions can be effective in improving fatigue after 16 weeks of intervention. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03194997).

Muscle Weakness and Walking Slowness for the Identification of Sarcopenia in the Older Adults from Northern Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly people from Northern Brazil according to muscle weakness or walking slowness. Methods: The sample consisted of 312 elderly people (72.6 ± 7.8 years). For walking slowness, a gait speed ≤ 0.8 m/s was used as a cut-off value, and for muscle weakness the following handgrip strength criteria were used for men and women, respectively: CI: <27.0/16.0 kg; CII: <35.5/20.0 kg; CIII: grip strength corrected for body mass index (BMI) < 1.05/0.79; CIV: grip strength corrected for total fat mass: <1.66/0.65; CV: grip strength corrected for body mass: <0.45/0.34. Results: Walking speed was reduced in 27.0% of women and 15.2% of men (p < 0.05). According to grip strength criteria, 28.5% of women and 30.4% of men (CI), 58.0% of women and 75.0% of men (CII), 66.0% of women and 39.3% of men (CIII), 28.8% of women and 19.6% of men (CIV), and 56.5% of women and 50.0% of men (CV) were identified as having sarcopenia. Conclusions: Walking slowness is more prevalent in women and muscle weakness is more prevalent in men in Northern Brazil. Walking slowness proved to be more concordant with muscle weakness in both sexes when the CI for handgrip strength was adopted.

Users' Perspective on the AI-Based Smartphone PROTEIN App for Personalized Nutrition and Healthy Living: A Modified Technology Acceptance Model (mTAM) Approach.

The ubiquitous nature of smartphone ownership, its broad application and usage, along with its interactive delivery of timely feedback are appealing for health-related behavior change interventions via mobile apps. However, users' perspectives about such apps are vital in better bridging the gap between their design intention and effective practical usage. In this vein, a modified technology acceptance model (mTAM) is proposed here, to explain the relationship between users' perspectives when using an AI-based smartphone app for personalized nutrition and healthy living, namely, PROTEIN, and the mTAM constructs toward behavior change in their nutrition and physical activity habits. In particular, online survey data from 85 users of the PROTEIN app within a period of 2 months were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and regression analysis (RA) to reveal the relationship of the mTAM constructs, i.e., perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEoU), perceived novelty (PN), perceived personalization (PP), usage attitude (UA), and usage intention (UI) with the users' behavior change (BC), as expressed via the acceptance/rejection of six related hypotheses (H1-H6), respectively. The resulted CFA-related parameters, i.e., factor loading (FL) with the related p-value, average variance extracted (AVE), and composite reliability (CR), along with the RA results, have shown that all hypotheses H1-H6 can be accepted (p < 0.001). In particular, it was found that, in all cases, FL > 0.5, CR > 0.7, AVE > 0.5, indicating that the items/constructs within the mTAM framework have good convergent validity. Moreover, the adjusted coefficient of determination (R 2) was found within the range of 0.224-0.732, justifying the positive effect of PU, PEoU, PN, and PP on the UA, that in turn positively affects the UI, leading to the BC. Additionally, using a hierarchical RA, a significant change in the prediction of BC from UA when the UI is used as a mediating variable was identified. The explored mTAM framework provides the means for explaining the role of each construct in the functionality of the PROTEIN app as a supportive tool for the users to improve their healthy living by adopting behavior change in their dietary and physical activity habits. The findings herein offer insights and references for formulating new strategies and policies to improve the collaboration among app designers, developers, behavior scientists, nutritionists, physical activity/exercise physiology experts, and marketing experts for app design/development toward behavior change.

Spatial distribution of bed variables, animal welfare indicators, and milk production in a closed compost-bedded pack barn with a negative tunnel ventilation system.

This research aimed to characterize, evaluate and compare the spatial distribution of the leading bed variables, animal welfare indicators, and milk production in a closed compost-bedded pack barn (CBP) with a negative tunnel ventilation system, for summer and winter periods. The study was carried out in a CBP located in the Zona da Mata region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The geostatistical modeling technique evaluated the variables of temperature, moisture content, and pH (on the surface and depth of 0.20m) across the length of the bed. Bed samples were characterized for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and C:N ratio. Cows housed in the CBP were assessed for locomotion and hygiene scores and average milk production. To evaluate the thermoregulation of the cows, the respiratory rate (RR) and surface temperature (ST) were measured. Geostatistical analysis showed spatial dependence and the non-uniformity of the spatial distribution of bed variables. The worst levels of bed temperature and moisture were found in the regions close to the evaporative cooling plate, surrounding the feeding alley, and in the region with the highest cow stocking. The C:N ratio, obtained in both climatic seasons of the year, remained outside the recommended range for ideal composting. During the summer and winter, the bed variables' values suggest that the material was below levels for optimal composting; however, the aerated inner layer was biologically active. The high animal density significantly impacted the worsening of the bed moisture content and internal temperature. In general, dairy cows showed adequate hygiene (score of 1 and 2) and locomotion (score of 0 and 1) scores for the two climatic seasons evaluated, indicating good welfare conditions. In relation to RR and ST, the summer period presented less favorable environmental conditions. During winter, the average milk production was 28.1 ± 7.2 kg day-1, and during summer, it was 26.9 ± 6.7 kg day-1.

Mediating effect of muscle power on the relationship of physical activity with physical fitness and physical function in older women.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed if the associations of physical activity with physical fitness and physical function in older women are mediated by muscle power. METHODS: Participants were 54 older women (age 73.5 ± 6.8 yrs). Moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (min day-1) was measured by accelerometry. Lower limb muscle power (W/kg) was estimated from a single two-leg countermovement jump performed on a force platform. Physical fitness (lower body strength, agility/dynamic balance, and aerobic endurance) was objectively assessed through the Senior Fitness Test Battery, respectively: 30s chair stand (repetitions), 8-ft up-and-go (s), and 6-min walk test (m). Physical function was subjectively evaluated via the 12-item Composite Physical Function Scale Questionnaire (score). Mediation effects were estimated using bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals and were deemed significant if 0 was not included in the intervals. RESULTS: Mediation analysis controlling to age revealed an indirect effect of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity through muscle power on all physical fitness components, specifically lower body strength (B = 0.048, 95% BootCI [0.013, 0.114]), agility/dynamic balance (B = -0.009, 95% BootCI [-0.024, -0.002]) and aerobic endurance (B = 0.656, 95% BootCI [0.142, 1.597]) and on physical function global score (B = 0.040 95% BootCI [0.009, 0.094]). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that physical activity of at least moderate intensity is relevant to daily functional competence, by promoting the maintenance or improvement of muscle power.

Modeling the musculoskeletal loading in bone remodeling at the hip of a child.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The mechanical load associated with physical activity affects the bone adaptation process. The bone adaptationeffect varies with age, being more effective during childhood and adolescence, particularly during pre-pubertal years. Bone-strengthening physical activity is recommended for children and adolescents. The number of time periods (bouts) per day of vigorous physical activity seems to be more important than the total cumulative time for optimal bone strength. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of weight-bearing physical activity on bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur through computational simulation considering the intensity, exposure time (bouts) and regionalization of the results. METHODS: For this purpose, a finite element model of a 7 year-old child femur was developed based on computed tomography images. Musculoskeletal loads were obtained from experimental kinematic data of weight-bearing physical activity performed by children of the same age (standing, walking, running, jumping). The effects of physical activity on BMD of several regions of interest of the femur were analyzed using a bone remodeling model. A daily accumulation of 400 min of physical activity (200 min walking and 200 min standing) was considered as reference, against with which the effects of additional 10 min loading bouts were compared: 10 min bouts of vigorous intensity physical activity vs. 10 min bouts of light to moderate intensity physical activity. RESULTS: The simulations revealed greater increases in BMD associated with higher intensity and longer duration of physical activity. The largest BMD increases occurs during the first 10 min bout compared to longer durations and in less mineralized central regions compared to regions far from the neutral axis of the bone. CONCLUSION: Weight bearing physical activity is more effective in bone remodeling when the musculoskeletal loading is more intense and of short duration and, under these conditions, less mineralized regions are more positively impacted.