Concerns regarding the accessibility of self-service interactive devices for people with disabilities.

PURPOSE: Self-service interactive devices allow users to access information or services without directly interacting with service personnel. As the prevalence of disability increases, it is important to consider the barriers individuals face in using these devices and explore opportunities to increase accessibility through assistive and adaptive technologies. This study aimed to establish recommendations to enhance the accessibility of self-service interactive devices, with the objective of understanding users' experiences with these devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen semi-structured interviews were held with stakeholders focusing on accessible design for people with disabilities, categorized as (a) persons with lived experiences with disability, (b) disability advocates, or (c) assistive technology industry experts. The study used content analysis to identify recurring concepts and opportunities to improve accessibility. Participants discussed the potential benefits of updating or incorporating additional accessibility technologies into self-service devices and proposed solutions to existing deficiencies. RESULTS: Common concerns expressed among participants included the privacy and security of self-service devices, protection of personal information, and the consistency and usability of devices. Participants also suggested how this inconsistency could be mitigated and how to improve existing accessibility functionalities. Accessible functionalities in self-service devices have the potential to help address the unmet needs of Canadians with disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: With the breadth of available accessible and adaptive technologies, the study concludes that it is imperative to understand (1) what technologies are useful to people with disabilities, (2) whether the inclusion of these technologies is feasible in self-service devices, and (3) how user experience can be improved.

To support full participation of people with disabilities in public and commercial spaces, the intentional inclusion of accessibility in self-service devices needs to be strengthened when considering their usability and security.Many accessible and adaptive technologies are available, but when considering their integration into self-service devices it is important to understand which of these would be actually useful to people with disabilities, whether their inclusion is feasible, and how user experience can be improved.

Environmental pollution influence to soil-plant-air system in organic vineyard: bioavailability, environmental, and health risk assessment.

This study was performed in organic vineyard to assess integrated pollution in soil-plant-air system by potentially toxic elements (PTE). Concentrations of 26 PTE were determined in soil, grapevine, and air biomonitors (moss bags) using ICP-OES and ICP-MS. Environmental implication assessment of soil did not show pollution by PTE, except for B in samples collected in the middle of grapevine season (July). Despite low total Cd concentrations in soil, it has the highest influence on increase of environmental risk. Based on biological accumulation concentration (BAC), grapevine is not hyperaccumulator of PTE from soil. Advanced classification algorithm, Kohonen self-organizing map (SOM), was applied to compare environmental implications in organic with conventional vineyards. PTE concentrations were significantly lower in organic than conventional grapevine. PTE concentrations were higher in the outer (leaf and petiole) than in the inner grapevine parts (skin, pulp, and seed). Some airborne elements have an influence on outer grapevine parts, especially on leaves (ratio factor-RF > 1). Moss bag technique testified about lower enrichment of airborne elements compared with the conventional vineyard and urban microenvironments. Environmental and health risk assessments confirmed that organic production is harmless for field workers and grape consumers.

Human health risk assessment of lead, cadmium, and mercury co-exposure from agricultural soils in the Tuzla Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The aim of this study was to assess the risk of human exposure to lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) through agricultural soil by considering both uncertainty and variability in key exposure parameters. For this reason we collected soil samples from 29 locations in the Tuzla Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and measured their metal levels with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission or absorption spectrometry (ICP-AES and ICP-AAS, respectively). The levels of Pb ranged from 13.33 to 1692.33 mg/kg, of Cd from 0.05 to 3.67 mg/kg, and of Hg from 0.02 to 2.73 mg/kg. To estimate cancer and non-cancer risks we used deterministic and semi-probabilistic methods. Lead was found to involve higher health risk than the other two heavy metals. Its hazard index (HI) decreased between population groups (children>women>men) and exposure routes (ingestion>skin contact>inhalation). Our Monte Carlo simulations indicated that Pb HIs for both adult populations had a 0.6 % probability to exceed the threshold value of 1, while in children this probability was 14.2 %. Cd and Hg showed no probability to exceed the threshold in any scenario. Our simulation results raise concern about possible adverse health effects of heavy metals from soil, especially in children. It is very important to continue monitoring environmental pollution and assess human health risk, not only with respect to soil, but also with other important environmental compartments, such as air and water.

Trace elements in different tissues in aging rats.

BACKGROUND: Trace elements (TE) in the human body provide a connecting link between the environment, lifestyle and biochemical modulation of homeodynamics. On the other hand, many non-essential (toxic) elements are linked to numerous diseases. Our study tried to identify differences in TE levels between healthy old and young Wistar rats in blood and the tissues of kidney, liver, heart, and testicles. Furthermore, we wanted to see if there were age-related differences in correlations between essential and/or non-essential (toxic) TE within and between mentioned tissues. METHODS: We used 28 healthy male Wistar rats which were divided into two age groups: young, aged 10 weeks (n = 15) and old, aged 36 months (n = 13). The animals were sacrificed under general anesthesia and the blood samples, and samples from the tissues of the heart, kidneys, testicles, and liver were used for the determination of TE content in them. Analysis of the 16 elements was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: Toxic elements in old rats (As, Hg, and Cd) were significantly higher in all of the tissues where the difference in levels of these elements was found. Tissues of the kidney and liver had the most correlations between TE in old and young rats, respectively. In both old and young rats, arsenic was the toxic element that had most of the correlations with other essential or non-essential elements. In old rats, most of the TE correlations were detected between the tissues of the kidney and heart (11 correlations), while in young rats most of the correlations were observed between the tissues of kidney and liver, and kidney and testicles (with 9 correlations both). CONCLUSIONS: Our study has found significant changes in levels of trace elements in all of the mentioned tissues, with kidney and testicles being the tissues with the most TE differences between the two aged groups. This and other similar studies should encourage other investigators to evaluate the mutual connections between TE and physiological, or the "unhealthy" aging. More studies with more tissues included, more biomarkers of the systemic function, and even molecular methods are needed to provide the answers to numerous questions relating to TE and aging.

Colorectal cancer and trace elements alteration.

BACKGROUND: Trace elements have important influence on body function primarily because of the vital role they have in many physiological processes. Their alterations have been found in many disorders, including cancer. It has been well known for decades that disturbances in elemental concentration may lead to cell damaging, DNA injuries and imbalance in oxidative burden. Our study tried to determine the difference of trace elements concentrations between colorectal adenocarcinoma and adjacent healthy intestinal tissue. METHODS: 59 subjects participated in this study. Healthy colon mucosa samples and colon tumor tissue samples were obtained from patients previously diagnosed with colon carcinoma by standard diagnostic procedures. Analysis of the elements was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: The results showed that Na, K, Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn, Cd, Cr and Hg significantly differ between malignant tissue of colorectal cancer (CRC) and adjacent healthy bowel tissue. We have, also, found that Cu/Zn tissue ratio was significantly higher in CRC compared to a healthy tissue and that patients with higher CRC stages had also significantly higher ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Since this is the first such study in Balkan region, we assume that results of our study could be a good indicator of elemental alterations in colorectal cancer of Balkan population, due to similarity in lifestyle, dietary intake, pollution and exposure to toxic elements.

The influence of ageing on the extrapineal melatonin synthetic pathway.

Ageing affects various physiological and metabolic processes in a body and a progressive accumulation of oxidative damage stands out as often used explanation. One of the most powerful scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in all organs is melatonin. A majority of melatonin supplied to the body via blood originates from the pineal gland. However, we have been interested in a locally produced melatonin. We have used 2.5- and 36-months-old Wistar rats. Tissues were collected and gene expression of AA-NAT and ASMT, the two key enzymes in a synthesis of melatonin, was determined in brain, liver, kidney, heart, skin, and intestine. Since melatonin can influence antioxidant enzymes, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the level of GSH were measured in liver. In addition, Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Manganese (Mn) were also determined in liver since these microelements might affect the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The expression of AA-NAT and ASMT was increased in liver and skin of old animals. A positive correlation in AA-NAT and ASMT expression was observed in liver, intestine and kidney. Moreover, the activity of CAT enzyme in liver was increased while SOD activity was decreased. SOD and CAT were probably affected by the observed decreased amount of Cu, Zn, and Mn in liver of old animals. In our model, extrapineal melatonin pathway in ageing consisted of complex interplay of locally produced melatonin, activities of SOD and CAT, and adequate presence of Cu, Zn and Mn microelements in order to defend organs against oxidative damage.

Nutrient Composition of Three Mangulica Pork Cuts from Serbia.

The purpose of this study was to analyze and evaluate the levels of essential elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Se) and proximate composition (moisture, protein, fat, and ash) of three pork cuts (loin, hind leg, and shoulder) from free-range Mangulica pigs from Serbia. Essential elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Shoulder contained the highest levels of essential elements (Mn, 0.192 mg kg-1; Fe, 19.550 mg kg-1; Cu, 1.490 mg kg-1; Zn, 44.470 mg kg-1; and Se, 0.130 mg kg-1). The shoulder and hind leg cut differed significantly from the loin in Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn levels. This study showed that Mangulica pork is a rich source of Fe and Zn, and these elements showed significant correlations for a range of tissue combinations. The highest levels of protein (21.15 g/100 g) and fat (10.60 g/100 g) were established in loin, and the highest moisture level occurred in shoulder (72.02 g/100 g). Statistically, significant differences were established only between loin and shoulder in protein and fat contents.

Mineral composition and toxic element levels of muscle, liver and kidney of intensive (Swedish Landrace) and extensive (Mangulica) pigs from Serbia.

Mineral composition (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, Cr, Co, Ni, Na, K, Mg, Ca) and toxic element levels (Cd, Pb, Hg, As) of soil, feed and tissue (muscle, liver and kidney) from intensive (Swedish Landrace, housed indoors, fed a known diet, 4 years) and extensive (Mangulica, free-roaming, non-specified diet, 7-8 months) pigs were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Controlled nutrition produced pigs with higher concentrations of most minerals (muscle: Mn, Se, K, Mg; liver: Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, Cr, Ca; kidney: Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, K, Mg), but for Fe the opposite trend was found. Long-term free-ranging pigs have a higher risk of contamination by toxic elements (Cd exceeded the maximum residue level in kidney). Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used to assess the effect of different pig breed/lifestyle (pig type) on element composition of muscle, liver and kidney of pigs. Multivariate data analysis showed good discriminating capabilities.

Development and validation of the short version of the diabetes obstacles questionnaire (DOQ-30) in six European countries.

BACKGROUND: Patients with type 2 diabetes reveal different obstacles in living with the disease. The EGPRN initiated a qualitative research EUROBSTACLE to create a broadly conceptualized diabetes-related quality of life (DR-QoL) instrument. It led to the development of the diabetes obstacle questionnaire (DOQ), a five-point Likert-scaled measure, consisting of 78 items in eight scales. OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a short, easy-to-use version of the DOQ. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with the DOQ was carried out. Participants answered the DOQ and GPs added some clinical data from their medical records. Data of 853 patients from Belgium, France, Estonia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Turkey were included in the analysis. The selection of items for the short version of the DOQ was achieved with exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Construct validity was proved with EFA and Pearson correlations between the DOQ and the new DOQ-30. Internal reliability was established with Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: DOQ-30 resulted in 30 items in nine subscales. It explained 49.8% of items' variance. It shows a considerable good internal reliability and construct validity. CONCLUSION: The DOQ-30 is a five-point Likert-scaled broadly conceptualized measure of DR-QoL. It addresses a variety of obstacles, such as social, psychological, cognitive and behavioural. The DOQ-30 is ready for implementation in general practice and research in Europe as a valuable instrument to assess DR-QoL.

Mapping differential elemental accumulation in fish tissues: assessment of metal and trace element concentrations in wels catfish (Silurus glanis) from the Danube River by ICP-MS.

Studies of metal accumulation in fish are mainly focused on the muscle tissue, while the metal accumulation patterns in other tissues have been largely neglected. Muscle is not always a good indicator of the whole fish body contamination. Elemental accumulation in many fish tissues and organs and their potential use in monitoring programs have not received proper attention. In the present study, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn concentrations were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the following 14 tissues of the wels catfish (Silurus glanis) from the Danube River: muscle, gills, spleen, liver, kidneys, intestine, gizzard, heart, brain, gallbladder, swim bladder, vertebra, operculum, and gonads. A high level of differential elemental accumulation among the studied tissues was observed. The maximum overall metal accumulation was observed in the vertebra, followed by the kidneys and liver, with the metal pollution index (MPI) values of 0.26, 0.25, and 0.24, respectively. The minimum values were observed in the gallbladder, muscle, brain, and swim bladder, with MPI values of 0.03, 0.06, 0.07, and 0.09, respectively. Average metal concentrations in the fish muscle were below the maximum allowed concentrations for human consumption. The mean As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations in the muscle were 0.028, 0.001, 0.001, 0.192, 3.966, and 3.969 µg/g wet weight, respectively. We believe that the presented findings could be of interest for the scientific community and freshwater ecosystem managers. There is a need for further research that would assess less studied tissues in different fish species.