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Turner, Jessica T., Alexandra L. Whittaker, and David McLelland. "Behavioural Impact of Captive Management Changes in Three Species of Testudinidae." Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 3, no. 4 (November 7, 2022): 555–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jzbg3040041.
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Reptile behaviour and welfare are understudied in comparison with mammals. In this study, behavioural data on three species (Astrochelys radiata, Stigmochelys pardalis, Aldabrachelys gigantea) of tortoises were recorded before and after an environmental change which was anticipated to be positive in nature. The environmental changes differed for each population, but included a substantial increase in enclosure size, the addition of substrate material, and a change in handling procedure. A tortoise-specific ethogram was created to standardise data collection. Focal behaviour sampling was used to collect behavioural data. Changes in the duration of performance of co-occupant interaction and object interaction in the leopard (Stigmochelys pardalis) and Aldabra (Aldabrachelys gigantea) tortoises were observed following the environmental changes. The Shannon–Weiner diversity index did not yield a significant increase after the changes but had a numerical increase which was relatively greater for the leopard tortoise group, which had experienced the greatest environmental change. The leopard tortoises also demonstrated changes in a greater number of behaviours compared to the other species, and this was sustained over the study period. However, this included a behaviour indicative of negative affect: aggression. Whilst we are unable to conclude that welfare was improved by the management changes, there are suggestions that behavioural diversity increased, and some promotion of positive social behaviours occurred.
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Soonberg, Maria, Tanel Kaart, and David Richard Arney. "How does changing the feeding bin affect cows’ behaviour?" Journal of Dairy Research 86, no. 1 (February 2019): 43–47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022029919000050.
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AbstractIn a system in which cows are grouped and given differential access to feeding bins with different rations, and where these groups change over time, it is important to find out how a change in the ration (and hence feeding bin) affects the cow's feeding behaviour. Monitoring the locomotion of cows can be used to predict oestrus and improve health (lameness diagnosis), but activity monitors can also be used to estimate both activity and numbers of feeding visits by cows. Ice tag activity monitors were attached to the right hind legs of ten cows. Walking, standing, lying data and health records were used to record changes before and after a change in each cow's feeding bin. Results comparing activity before and after feeding bin change revealed significant increases in motion index, number of steps taken per minute and number of lying bouts per minute (all P < 0.001). Comparing the behaviours of cows subsequently followed during the dry period showed significant differences in motion indices and number of steps taken per minute (P < 0.001) in the dry period. The results indicate that cows are affected by feeding bin change and group change, which can lead to an increase in behaviour associated with the stress response, especially in heifers.
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Newson, Lesley, and Tom Postmes. "Less restricted mating, low contact with kin, and the role of culture." Behavioral and Brain Sciences 28, no. 2 (April 2005): 291–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0140525x05380058.
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On the basis of a reinterpretation of the International Sexuality Description Project (ISDP) data, we suggest that findings are consistent with the view that human reproductive behaviour is largely under social control. Behaviours associated with a high Sociosexual Orientation Index (SOI) may be part of a progressive change in reproductive behaviour initiated by the dispersal of kin that occurs as societies modernize.
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Flowers, Paul, Olivia Wu, Karen Lorimer, Bipasha Ahmed, Hannah Hesselgreaves, Jennifer MacDonald, Sandi Cayless, et al. "The clinical effectiveness of individual behaviour change interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviour after a negative human immunodeficiency virus test in men who have sex with men: systematic and realist reviews and intervention development." Health Technology Assessment 21, no. 5 (January 2017): 1–164. http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/hta21050.
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AbstractBackgroundMen who have sex with men (MSM) experience significant inequalities in health and well-being. They are the group in the UK at the highest risk of acquiring a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Guidance relating to both HIV infection prevention, in general, and individual-level behaviour change interventions, in particular, is very limited.ObjectivesTo conduct an evidence synthesis of the clinical effectiveness of behaviour change interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviour among MSM after a negative HIV infection test. To identify effective components within interventions in reducing HIV risk-related behaviours and develop a candidate intervention. To host expert events addressing the implementation and optimisation of a candidate intervention.Data sourcesAll major electronic databases (British Education Index, BioMed Central, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, Educational Resource Index and Abstracts, Health and Medical Complete, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, PubMed and Social Science Citation Index) were searched between January 2000 and December 2014.Review methodsA systematic review of the clinical effectiveness of individual behaviour change interventions was conducted. Interventions were examined using the behaviour change technique (BCT) taxonomy, theory coding assessment, mode of delivery and proximity to HIV infection testing. Data were summarised in narrative review and, when appropriate, meta-analysis was carried out. Supplemental analyses for the development of the candidate intervention focused on post hoc realist review method, the assessment of the sequential delivery and content of intervention components, and the social and historical context of primary studies. Expert panels reviewed the candidate intervention for issues of implementation and optimisation.ResultsOverall, trials included in this review (n = 10) demonstrated that individual-level behaviour change interventions are effective in reducing key HIV infection risk-related behaviours. However, there was considerable clinical and methodological heterogeneity among the trials. Exploratory meta-analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in behaviours associated with high risk of HIV transmission (risk ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.62 to 0.91). Additional stratified analyses suggested that effectiveness may be enhanced through face-to-face contact immediately after testing, and that theory-based content and BCTs drawn from ‘goals and planning’ and ‘identity’ groups are important. All evidence collated in the review was synthesised to develop a candidate intervention. Experts highlighted overall acceptability of the intervention and outlined key ways that the candidate intervention could be optimised to enhance UK implementation.LimitationsThere was a limited number of primary studies. All were from outside the UK and were subject to considerable clinical, methodological and statistical heterogeneity. The findings of the meta-analysis must therefore be treated with caution. The lack of detailed intervention manuals limited the assessment of intervention content, delivery and fidelity.ConclusionsEvidence regarding the effectiveness of behaviour change interventions suggests that they are effective in changing behaviour associated with HIV transmission. Exploratory stratified meta-analyses suggested that interventions should be delivered face to face and immediately after testing. There are uncertainties around the generalisability of these findings to the UK setting. However, UK experts found the intervention acceptable and provided ways of optimising the candidate intervention.Future workThere is a need for well-designed, UK-based trials of individual behaviour change interventions that clearly articulate intervention content and demonstrate intervention fidelity.Study registrationThe study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42014009500.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
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Karim, Md Rajibul, Md Mizanur Rahman, Khoi Nguyen, Donald Cameron, Asif Iqbal, and Isaac Ahenkorah. "Changes in Thornthwaite Moisture Index and Reactive Soil Movements under Current and Future Climate Scenarios—A Case Study." Energies 14, no. 20 (October 17, 2021): 6760. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en14206760.
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Expansive soils go through significant volume changes due to seasonal moisture variations resulting in ground movements. The ground movement related problems are likely to worsen in the future due to climate change. It is important to understand and incorporate likely future changes in design to ensure the resilience of structures built on such soils. However, there has been a limited amount of work quantifying the effect of climate change on expansive soils movement and related behaviour of structures. The Thornthwaite Moisture Index (TMI) is one of the commonly used climate classifiers in quantifying the effect of atmospheric boundary on soil behaviour. Using the long-term weather data and predicted future changes under different emission scenarios, a series of TMI maps are developed for South Australia. Potential changes in ground movement are then estimated for a selected area using a simplified methodology where the effect of future climate is captured through changes in TMI. Results indicate that South Australia is likely to face a significant reduction in TMI under all emission scenarios considered in this study. The changes in TMI will lead to a considerable increase in potential ground movement which will influence the behaviour of structures built on them and in some areas may lead to premature failure if not considered in the design.
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ROBINSON, WARREN C., and GARY L. LEWIS. "COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOUR CHANGE INTERVENTIONS: A PROPOSED NEW APPROACH AND AN APPLICATION TO EGYPT." Journal of Biosocial Science 35, no. 4 (October 2003): 499–512. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s002193200300590x.
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This paper presents a new approach to cost analysis of family planning programmes that focuses on behaviour change of programme clients as the final ‘output’ rather than units of contraceptive services delivered, as does the familiar couple-years-of-protection index. It is useful to know how much it costs to deliver a unit of contraceptive services, but it would also seem useful to know how much it costs to change a prospective client’s behaviour. The proposed approach rests on the familiar ‘steps to behaviour change’ paradigm and: (1) develops a methodology for applying a client-behaviour-change-centred cost analysis to programme activities; (2) tests the methodology and concepts by applying them retrospectively to a case study of mass media interventions in Egypt; (3) derives cost per unit of behaviour changes for these Egyptian communications campaigns to demonstrate the workability of the approach. This framework offers a new approach to impact evaluation that would seem to be applicable to other components of family planning and reproductive health programmes.
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Olofsson, Niclas, and Malin Rising Holmström. "Body mass index, clusters of health behaviour among school-age children and young people in Sweden." British Journal of Child Health 2, no. 6 (December 2, 2021): 259–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/chhe.2021.2.6.259.
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Background: A healthy lifestyle for children is important for future health. Aims: To identify temporal patterns of change in body mass index (BMI) and associated health behaviour among 6–16-year-old children and young people in Sweden. Methods: A quantitative design with longitudinal cluster analysis. Findings: School-age children and young people tended to maintain their BMI categories established at the age of 6 years or when they entered the fourth grade, and the categories were stable in age and gender over time. Conclusions: Healthy behaviours affecting BMI should be established before children begin school. Although slight changes in children's categories of BMI may occur once they reach school age, the categories established at preschool generally persist at least until the age of 16 years. Because school-age children and young people generally maintain their categories throughout their school years, early preventive work regarding BMI and health behaviour is needed with particular focus on overweight and obese children and young people.
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Rastogi, Anshu, Subhajit Bandopadhyay, Marcin Stróżecki, and Radosław Juszczak. "Monitoring the Impact of Environmental Manipulation on Peatland Surface by Simple Remote Sensing Indices." ITM Web of Conferences 23 (2018): 00030. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/itmconf/20182300030.
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The behaviour of nature depends on the different components of climates. Among these, temperature and rainfall are two of the most important components which are known to change plant productivity. Peatlands are among the most valuable ecosystems on the Earth, which is due to its high biodiversity, huge soil carbon storage, and its sensitivity to different environmental factors. With the rapid growth in industrialization, the climate change is becoming a big concern. Therefore, this work is focused on the behaviour of Sphagnum peatland in Poland, subjected to environment manipulation. Here it has been shown how a simple reflectance based technique can be used to assess the impact of climate change on peatland. The experimental setup consists of four plots with two kind of manipulations (control, warming, reduced precipitation, and a combination of warming and reduced precipitation). Reflectance data were measured twice in August 2017 under a clear sky. Vegetation indices (VIs) such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI), near-infrared reflectance of vegetation (NIRv), MERIS terrestrial chlorophyll index (MTCI), Green chlorophyll index (CIgreen), Simple Ration (SR), and Water Band Index (WBI) were calculated to trace the impact of environmental manipulation on the plant community. Leaf Area Index of vascular plants was also measured for the purpose to correlate it with different VIs. The observation predicts that the global warming of 1°C may cause a significant change in peatland behaviour which can be tracked and monitored by simple remote sensing indices.
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Qayyum, Abdul. "Monetary Conditions Index: A Composite Measure of Monetary Policy in Pakistan." Pakistan Development Review 41, no. 4II (December 1, 2002): 551–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.30541/v41i4iipp.551-566.
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Accurate measures of the size and direction of changes in monetary policy are very important. A number of variables/indicators have been used as a measure of the stance of monetary policy the world over. These include growth rates of monetary aggregates and credit aggregates, short-term interest rate as used by Sims (1992), index of minutes of Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), as suggested by Friedman and Schwartz (1963) and reintroduced by Romer and Romer (1989), monetary policy index constructed by employing Vector Autoregression (VAR) estimation technique with prior information from Central Bank such as Bernanke and Blinder (1992) and Bernanke and Mihov (1998), and Monetary Conditions Index (MCI)—which is the focus of this paper—constructed by and used by Bank of Canada [Freedman (1995)], taking into consideration the interest rate and exchange rate channel of monetary policy transmission mechanism in a small open economy. In case of open economy it is assumed that the monetary policy affects the economy and the prime objective of monetary policy, rate of inflation, through two important transmission mechanisms. These transmission channels are; interest rate channel and exchange rate channel. The working of the first channel is that the interest rate influences the level of expenditures, investment and subsequently domestic demand. The change in official interest rate effects the market rates of interest both short term as well as long term interest rates. This change in market rates of interest is transmitted to the bank lending rates and saving rates. The change in saving rate effects the spending behaviour of individuals (consumption) whereas the change in bank lending rate effects the investment behaviour of firms (investment). The change in aggregate consumption and investment has direct link to the gross domestic product (GDP).
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Janković, Irena, Vlado Kovačević, and Isidora Ljumović. "Municipal green bond yield behaviour." Ekonomika preduzeca 70, no. 3-4 (2022): 206–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.5937/ekopre2204206j.
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The aim of this paper is to study municipal green bonds as fixed-income instruments used for environmentally friendly projects. This research was motivated by the absence of an effective global CO2 pricing scheme, making green bonds one of the most important instruments to tackle climate change. After an overview of the U.S. municipal green bond market, yields of municipal green bonds vs. ordinary municipal bonds were analysed. S&P U.S. Municipal Green Bond Index and S&P U.S. Municipal Bond Index were used in the study. The methodological framework includes a review of relevant literature, descriptive statistics with correlation analysis and hypotheses testing. As initially expected, significant positive correlation between green bond and ordinary bond yields was found, where green municipal bonds generate slightly lower yields than otherwise similar ordinary bonds. The existence of a statistically significant yield discount, i.e., a green premium, has not been confirmed.
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Sampasa-Kanyinga, Hugues, Ian Colman, Dorothea Dumuid, Ian Janssen, Gary S. Goldfield, Jian Li Wang, Karen A. Patte, Scott T. Leatherdale, and Jean-Philippe Chaput. "Longitudinal association between movement behaviours and depressive symptoms among adolescents using compositional data analysis." PLOS ONE 16, no. 9 (September 1, 2021): e0256867. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256867.
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Background Research examining the associations between movement behaviours and mental health indicators within a compositional framework are sparse and limited by their cross-sectional study design. This study has three objectives. First, to describe the change in movement behaviour composition over time. Second, to explore the association between change in movement behaviour composition and change in depressive symptoms. Third, to explore how reallocations of time between movement behaviours are associated with changes in depressive symptoms. Methods Longitudinal data of 14,620 students in grades 9–12 (mean age: 14.9 years) attending secondary schools in Canada (Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec) were obtained from two waves (2017/18, 2018/19) of the COMPASS study. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), recreational screen time, and sleep duration were self-reported. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (Revised)−10 (CESD-R-10). Compositional data analyses using pivot coordinates and compositional isotemporal substitution for longitudinal data were used to analyse the data. Analyses accounted for school clustering, were stratified by gender and age (< or ≥ 15 years), and were adjusted for race/ethnicity, body mass index z-score, baseline movement behaviour composition, and baseline depressive symptoms. Results There were significant differences in movement behaviour composition over time across all subgroups. For example, the relative contributions of MVPA and sleep duration to the movement behaviour composition decreased over time while screen time increased among younger boys and girls and older girls. Increasing sleep duration relative to the remaining behaviours (i.e. screen time and MVPA) was associated with lower depressive symptoms among all subgroups. Increasing screen time relative to the remaining behaviours (i.e. MVPA and sleep duration) was associated with higher depressive symptoms among all subgroups. Increasing MVPA relative to the remaining behaviours (i.e. screen time and sleep duration) was associated with lower depressive symptoms in older girls only. Isotemporal substitution estimates indicated that decreasing screen time by 60 minutes/day and replacing that time with 60 minutes of additional sleep is associated with the largest change in depressive symptoms across all subgroups. Conclusions Findings from this prospective analysis suggest that increased sleep duration and reduced screen time are important determinants of lower depressive symptoms among adolescents.
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Manjula, M., P. S. D. V. Prasadarao, V. Kumaraiah, and R. Raguram. "Temporal Patterns of Change in Panic Disorder during Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: An Indian Study." Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy 42, no. 5 (August 2, 2013): 513–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1352465813000635.
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Background: CBT has been proven to be effective in the treatment of panic disorder; however, attempts to study the process of change are limited. Aim: The study evaluated the temporal patterns of change in the panic symptoms, cognitions, behaviours, and anxiety sensitivity in subjects with panic disorder being treated with CBT. Method: Thirty subjects with panic disorder were allocated to two groups: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT, n = 15) and Behaviour Therapy (BT, n = 15). Assessments were carried out weekly for five consecutive weeks using the Semi-Structured Interview Schedule, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire, and the Texas Panic Attack Record Form. The CBT group received comprehensive CBT and the BT group received psycho-education and Applied Relaxation. Results: Following intervention the change was continuous and gradual on all the variables in the CBT group and the scores reduced to a functional range after 4–5 weeks of therapy. Such a change was not evident in the BT group. Significant change was evident in cognitive domains following the introduction of the exposure and cognitive restructuring within the CBT group. Both cognitive and behavioural techniques contributed to the overall change. Conclusion: CBT had an impact on the cognitive domains and significant changes were evident corresponding to the addition of cognitive restructuring and exposure techniques in the 3rd to 5th week. Both cognitive and behavioural components are therefore crucial for overall improvement to occur.
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Singh, Amrik, Devendra Mohan, Dharamvir Singh Ahlawat, and Divya Jyoti. "Effect of Material Parameters on the Optical Properties of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Photoanode." Materials Science Forum 771 (October 2013): 115–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.771.115.
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The presented theoretical analysis predicts the behaviour of optical properties of film with regards to materialistic parameters of the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cell using the theory of dispersive transport. The porous nature of photoanode is considered for the simulation task. The variations in refractive index and absorption index of the semiconductor film with change in the values of thickness and porosity are studied by using finite element method. The theoretically demonstrates that refractive index increases with the increase in thickness and decreases with increase in porosity but absorption index shows a monotonic behaviour.
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Baker, John, Kathryn Berzins, Krysia Canvin, Sarah Kendal, Stella Branthonne-Foster, Judy Wright, Tim McDougall, Barry Goldson, Ian Kellar, and Joy Duxbury. "Components of interventions to reduce restrictive practices with children and young people in institutional settings: the Contrast systematic mapping review." Health and Social Care Delivery Research 10, no. 8 (May 2022): 1–180. http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/yvkt5692.
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Background Incidents in which children or young people experience severe distress or harm or cause distress or harm to others occur frequently in children and young people’s institutional settings. These incidents are often managed using restrictive practices, such as restraint, seclusion, sedation or constant observation; however, these also present significant risks of physical and psychological harm to children and young people as well as staff. Numerous interventions aim to reduce the use of restrictive techniques, but research is hampered by limited attention to specific intervention components. The behavior change technique taxonomy may improve reporting by providing a common language for specifying the content and mechanisms of behaviour change. This study aimed to identify, standardise and report the effectiveness of components of interventions to reduce restrictive practices in children and young people’s institutional settings. Objectives To map interventions aimed at reducing restrictive practices in children and young people’s institutional settings internationally, to conduct behaviour change technique analysis of intervention components, to identify process elements, and to explore effectiveness evidence to identify promising behaviour change techniques and compare the results with those found in adult psychiatric inpatient settings in a companion review. Design Systematic mapping review with programme content coding using the behavior change technique taxonomy. Review methods Eleven relevant English-language health and social care research databases 1989–2019 [including Applied Social Sciences Index (ASSIA), Criminal Justice Abstracts, Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), MEDLINE and PsycInfo®], grey literature and social media were searched during 2019 (updated January 2020). Data extraction, guided by Workgroup for Intervention Development and Evaluation Research (WIDER), Cochrane Library and theory coding scheme recommendations, included intervention characteristics and study design and reporting. Screening and quality appraisal used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The behavior change technique taxonomy was applied systematically, and interventions were coded for behaviour change technique components. Outcomes data were then related back to these components. Results There were 121 records, including 76 evaluations. Eighty-two interventions, mostly multicomponent, were identified. Evaluation approaches commonly used a non-randomised design. There were no randomised controlled trials. Behaviour change techniques from 14 out of a possible 16 clusters were detected. Four clusters (i.e. goals and planning, antecedents, shaping knowledge, and feedback and monitoring) contained the majority of identified behaviour change techniques and were detected in over half of all interventions. Two clusters (i.e. self-belief and covert learning) contained no identified behaviour change techniques. The most common setting in which behaviour change techniques were found was ‘mental health’. The most common procedure focused on staff training. The two most common behaviour change techniques were instruction on how to perform the behaviour and restructuring the social environment. Promising behaviour change techniques included instruction on how to perform the behaviour, restructuring the social environment, feedback on outcomes of behaviour and problem-solving. Compared with the companion review, service user perspectives were more sparse and there was more interest in trauma-informed approaches. Effectiveness evidence, range of interventions and reporting were broadly similar. Limitations Poor reporting may have prevented detection of some behaviour change techniques. The finding that the evidence was weak restricted the feasibility of examining behaviour change technique effectiveness. Literature searches were restricted to English-language sources. Conclusions This study generated, to our knowledge, the first review of evidence on the content and effectiveness of interventions to reduce restrictive practices in children and young people’s institutional settings. Interventions tend to be complex, reporting is inconsistent and robust evaluation data are limited, but some behaviour change techniques seem promising. Future work Promising behaviour change techniques could be further explored. Better evidence could help address the urgent need for effective strategies. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42019124730. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 10, No. 8. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Furuta, Michiko, Kenji Takeuchi, Toru Takeshita, Yukie Shibata, Shino Suma, Shinya Kageyama, Mikari Asakawa, et al. "10-year trend of tooth loss and associated factors in a Japanese population-based longitudinal study." BMJ Open 11, no. 8 (August 2021): e048114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048114.
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ObjectivesWe examined the trend in the number of missing teeth in a Japanese community over a 10-year period and the potential associated explanatory factors.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingA population-based study conducted in 2007, 2012 and 2017 in Japan (Hisayama Study).ParticipantsResidents of a Japanese community aged 40–79 years undergoing dental examination in 2007 (n=2665), 2012 (n=2325) and 2017 (n=2285).Outcome measuresThe number of missing teeth, periodontal condition, dental caries experience, dental plaque index and oral health behaviours were evaluated each year. The longitudinal analysis of variation in these factors were assessed using mixed models.ResultsThe age-adjusted and sex-adjusted mean number of missing teeth decreased with time (6.80 in 2007, 6.01 in 2012 and 4.99 in 2017). The mean clinical attachment level (CAL), prevalence of periodontitis and dental plaque index decreased over the study period, while dental caries experience slightly increased. The level of oral health behaviour increased over time. Poisson mixed models showed that changes in mean CAL and dental caries experience were positively associated with the change in the number of missing teeth over time. Linear mixed models showed that changes in dental plaque index and no regular dental visit were positively associated with changes in mean CAL.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that a decreasing trend regarding the number of missing teeth in Japan might be associated with improvements in the periodontal condition due to changes in oral hygiene level and oral health behaviour.
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Sulander, Tommi, Heikki Heinonen, Antti Karisto, Raisa Valve, Pertti Pohjolainen, Ullamaija Seppälä, and Mikael Fogelholm. "Weight and Health Behaviour Changes among Ageing People with Medication for Hypertension and High Cholesterol Level." ISRN Public Health 2012 (March 6, 2012): 1–5. http://dx.doi.org/10.5402/2012/132747.
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Purpose. It is hypothesized that people with medication for hypertension and/or high cholesterol level do not lose weight or change their health behaviour. Methods. This is a six-year follow-up study consisting of 1,428 individuals from two birth cohorts (1936–40, 1946–50) who took part in clinical check-ups and answered to the survey questionnaires in 2002 and 2008. Results. Those participants, born in 1946–50, who had medication at the baseline had higher increase of body mass index (P<0.01) and waist circumference (P<0.01) at the follow-up. No major disparities in health behaviour changes between medicated and nonmedicated were found. Conclusions. Findings of this study support partly the hypothesis that aging individuals with medication for hypertension and/or high cholesterol level do not lose weight or change their health behaviour.
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Odhiambo Joseph, Owino. "Pro-Environmental Consumer Behavior: A Critical Review of Literature." International Journal of Business and Management 15, no. 1 (December 12, 2019): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v15n1p1.
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The damage to the environment caused by commercial activities and consumption behaviours has become a reason for concern in recent times. Sustainable consumption and drivers behind it was the main objective of the study. The study is a critical review of literature on pro-environmental behaviours with focus on theory, behavioural drivers and inhibitors. The review covered conceptual and empirical papers selected from peer reviewed articles with high citation index. Behaviour change theories including theory of reasoned action, theory of planned behaviour, norm activation theory and goal framing theory were reviewed. In light of theory, attitude, behavioural intention and perceived consequences are the major variables that cause pro-environmental behaviour. Nevertheless, norm activation theory fails to explain behaviour where people are in denial of responsibility for the consequences of their consumption. The study established that pro-environmental behaviour is caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors include environmental awareness and knowledge, attitude, consumer age, education, and concern for the environment. Extrinsic factors including income, social network and culture bridge the gap between attitude and pro-environmental behaviour. Perceived high price and lack of trust for green products were the major barriers to sustainable consumption behaviours. The study concludes that interaction between consumer attitude and favourable contextual factors lead to pro-environmental behaviours.
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Shamani, Saeed, and Leif Jansson. "Oral Hygiene Behaviour Change During the Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatment Phase." Open Dentistry Journal 6, no. 1 (December 14, 2012): 190–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874210601206010190.
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The purpose of the present study was to investigate the frequency of smoking cessation and the use of proximal tooth cleaning routines after a nonsurgical periodontal treatment phase in a Specialist clinic of Periodontology and to evaluate if these behaviour changes had any influence on the periodontal healing results. The investigation was conducted as a retrospective longitudinal study on a randomly selected population of 100 patients referred for periodontal treatment. The variables were registered from the dental records and the radiographs. Forty-six individuals declared that they were smokers at baseline and one individual of those quitted smoking during the nonsurgical treatment period. The percentage of individuals who performed proximal tooth cleaning daily was significantly increased from 56% to 72% during the treatment period. The patients practising proximal tooth cleaning daily had significantly lower Plaque index before as well as after the nonsurgical periodontal treatment phase compared to those without the routine. The subjects who did not perform tooth cleaning daily before the treatment and who did not introduce this routine had significantly deeper periodontal pockets compared to those who performed inter-dental cleaning daily before treatment or who had adopted the routine during the treatment phase. However, there were no significant differences according to number of deepened periodontal pockets after nonsurgical treatment irrespective of proximal cleaning routines. In the future, motivational interviewing may be a more effective method to achieve a behaviour change if an extended education of dental hygienists within this area will be implemented.
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Mazidi, Mohsen, Emily R. Leeming, Jordi Merino, Long H. Nguyen, Somesh Selvachandran, Joan Capdavila Pujal, Tyler Maher, et al. "Diet and lifestyle behaviour disruption related to the pandemic was varied and bidirectional among US and UK adults participating in the ZOE COVID Study." Nature Food 2, no. 12 (December 2021): 957–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43016-021-00398-3.
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AbstractEvidence of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health behaviours in the general population is limited. In this retrospective longitudinal study including UK and US participants, we collected diet and lifestyle data pre-pandemic (896,286) and peri-pandemic (291,871) using a mobile health app, and we computed a bidirectional health behaviour disruption index. Disruption of health behaviour was higher in younger, female and socio-economically deprived participants. Loss in body weight was greater in highly disrupted individuals than in those with low disruption. There were large inter-individual changes observed in 46 health and diet behaviours measured peri-pandemic compared with pre-pandemic, but no mean change in the total population. Individuals most adherent to less healthy pre-pandemic health behaviours improved their diet quality and weight compared with those reporting healthier pre-pandemic behaviours, irrespective of relative deprivation; therefore, for a proportion of the population, the pandemic may have provided an impetus to improve health behaviours. Public policies to tackle health inequalities widened by the pandemic should continue to prioritize diet and physical activity for all, as well as more targeted approaches to support younger females and those living in economically deprived areas.
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Wang, Hongxia, Dongmei Li, Ye Xiong, Huijun Huang, Qiongshuang Hu, and Weimei Zhang. "Effect of Cross Theoretical Model of Behaviour Change and Motivation Interview on Self-Management Behaviour." Journal of Oncology 2022 (August 22, 2022): 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/3551167.
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Objective. To evaluate the effects of a trans-theoretical model (TTM) of behavioural change plus motivational interviewing on self-management behavior and quality of life (QoL) in patients with intracranial aneurysm. Methods. A total of 94 patients with intracranial aneurysm treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from 2019 to 04/2021-04 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 49 patients used TTM + motivational interview as the observation group (Obs group), and 45 patients used the traditional method as the control group (Con group). The Self-Management Behavior Scale for Patients with Intracranial Aneurysm was used for analyzing the changes in the self-management behavior of the two groups of patients, and the MOS 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to analyze the changes in the QoL of the patients. The incidence of adverse events after 6 months of intervention was counted. In addition, the Barthel Index (BI) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MOCA) were used to evaluate the recovery effects of patients. Logistic regression was conducted for analyzing the risk factors of adverse cerebrovascular events. Results. After treatment, the Con group got lower self-management behavior score than the Obs group ( P < 0.05 ), and also got lower SF-36 scores, BI, and MOCA scores than the Obs group ( P < 0.05 ). Age and a history of hypertension were independent risk factors for adverse events. The Hosmer–Lemeshow test was adopted for testing the goodness of fit of the regression equation ( P = 0.903 ). With the established model, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting adverse events in patients with intracranial aneurysm was determined to be 0.851, indicating that the model performed well as a risk prediction model. Conclusion. TTM + motivational interviewing can help improve the self-management behavior and QoL of patients with intracranial aneurysm without increasing the occurrence of adverse events.
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Semsarian, Caitlin R., Gabrielle Rigney, Peter A. Cistulli, and Yu Sun Bin. "Impact of an Online Sleep and Circadian Education Program on University Students’ Sleep Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 19 (September 28, 2021): 10180. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910180.
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University students consistently report poor sleep. We conducted a before-and-after study to evaluate the impact of an online 10-week course on undergraduate students’ sleep knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours at 6-month follow-up. Data were collected via baseline course surveys (August–September 2020) and follow-up surveys distributed via email (February–March 2021). n = 212 students completed baseline surveys and n = 75 (35%) completed follow-up. Students retained to follow-up possessed higher baseline sleep knowledge and received higher course grades. At the 6-month follow-up, sleep knowledge had increased (mean score out of 5: 3.0 vs. 4.2, p < 0.001). At baseline, 85% of students aimed to increase their sleep knowledge and 83% aimed to improve their sleep. At follow-up, 91% reported being more knowledgeable and 37% reported improved sleep. A novel Stages of Change item revealed that 53% of students’ attitudes towards their sleep behaviours had changed from baseline. There was a reduction in sleep latency at follow-up (mean 33.3 vs. 25.6 min, p = 0.015), but no change in the total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score. In summary, completion of an online course led to increased sleep and circadian knowledge and changed sleep attitudes, with no meaningful change in sleep behaviours. Future interventions should consider components of behavioural change that go beyond the knowledge–attitudes–behaviour continuum.
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Meader, Nick, Hollie Melton, Connor Evans, Kath Wright, David Shiers, Elena Ratschen, Sofia Dias, et al. "Multiple versus single risk behaviour interventions for people with severe mental illness: a network meta-analysis and qualitative synthesis." Health and Social Care Delivery Research 10, no. 6 (March 2022): 1–186. http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/nfiz5916.
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Background People with severe mental illness die 15–20 years earlier than the general population. Reasons why include that people with severe mental illness are more likely to smoke and be physically inactive as a result of social inequalities. Objectives (1) Evaluate the clinical effectiveness of multiple risk behaviour interventions on behaviour change (e.g. smoking abstinence), and outcomes affected by behaviours (e.g. weight loss). (2) Compare the clinical effectiveness of interventions targeting multiple and single risk behaviours. (3) Examine the factors affecting outcomes (e.g. intervention content). (4) Assess the factors affecting experiences of interventions (e.g. barriers and facilitators). Data sources The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE™ (Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands), MEDLINE, PsycInfo® (American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, USA) and Science Citation Index (Clarivate Analytics, Philadelphia, PA, USA) were searched from inception to October 2018, and an updated search was conducted in March 2020. An Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA) search and an updated Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials search were undertaken in September 2020. Study selection Randomised controlled trials targeting single or multiple health risk behaviours among people with severe mental illness were included. Qualitative evidence on factors affecting the effectiveness of risk behaviour interventions was included. Study appraisal Network meta-analyses were conducted to compare the effectiveness of multiple and single risk behaviour interventions. The mean differences were estimated for continuous outcomes; if this was not possible, standardised mean differences were calculated. Thematic syntheses of qualitative studies were conducted. Results A total of 101 studies (67 randomised controlled trials and 34 qualitative studies) were included. Most outcomes were smoking abstinence, weight and body mass index. Just over half of studies were rated as having a high overall risk of bias. Trials focusing on smoking alone led to greater abstinence than targeting smoking and other behaviours. However, heterogeneity means that other explanations cannot be ruled out. For weight loss and body mass index, single risk behaviour (e.g. physical activity alone) and multiple risk behaviour (e.g. diet and physical activity) interventions had positive but modest benefits. For example, any risk behaviour intervention led to a 2 kg greater weight loss (–2.10 kg, 95% credible interval –3.14 to –1.06 kg) and approximately half a point (i.e. 0.5 kg/m2) greater body mass index reduction (–0.49 kg/m2, 95% credible interval –0.97 to –0.01 kg/m2) than treatment as usual. There were potential synergies for targeting multiple health behaviours for reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. No evidence was found of a deterioration in mental health for people with severe mental illness engaging in interventions to reduce health risk behaviours. Qualitative studies found that people with severe mental illness favoured interventions promoting physical and mental health together, and that took their condition into account. However, trials focused mainly on promoting physical health. Limitations Most quantitative studies focused on weight and body mass index; few assessed behavioural outcomes. Qualitative studies often addressed different aims. Conclusions Multiple and single risk behaviour interventions were associated with positive but modest benefits on most outcomes. Interventions seeking to promote physical health were not associated with deterioration in mental health. There was a lack of overlap between quantitative and qualitative studies. Future work Further research is needed to investigate whether or not health behaviour changes are maintained long term; tailoring weight-loss interventions for people with severe mental illness; and in terms of methods, co-production and mixed-methods approaches in future trials. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42018104724. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 10, No. 6. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Ramirez, Dionisio. "ANALYSIS OF THE CONVERGENCE OF UNEMPLOYMENT RATES BETWEEN THE SPANISH REGIONS USING DISPERSION INDEXES." sj-economics scientific journal 15, no. 4 (December 30, 2014): 54–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.58246/sjeconomics.v15i4.416.
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The behaviour of the regional unemployment rates in Spain is analysed from 1976 to 2000 using Absolute and Relative Dispersion Indexes. The results show a lack of convergence in the regional rates and a cyclical pattern depending on the different evolution of such regional rates in booms and slumps. Once we distinguish the individual behavior of each regional rate compared to the national average and re-calculate the Dispersion Indexes taking into account the non-convergence regions, we see that from 1984 there is an important change in the evolution of the Absolute Dispersion Index and the amplitude of the fluctuations of the Relative Dispersion Index are smaller.
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Tesfahun, Azmeraw Ayehu, and Arevendor S. Chawla. "Risk perceptions and adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers to climate change and variability in North Shoa Zone, Ethiopia." Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal 31, no. 1 (January 13, 2020): 254–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/meq-04-2019-0076.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore smallholder farmers’ risk perception associated with climate change, the adaptation strategies used and determinants of their adaptation decision behaviour in Eferatena-Gidem district, Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach The study used household survey methods of data collection. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire survey by interviewing 261 randomly selected smallholder farmers and analysed using both descriptive and inferential data analysis techniques including Participation Index, Adaptation Strategy Index and Binary Logistic Regression Model. Findings Results of the survey revealed that the vast majority of the respondents perceived the long-term changes in temperature and rainfall pattern. Although they are not transformational in nature, the majority (77 per cent) of the respondents who had perceived changes in climate took adaptive measures. Results of the econometric model analysis revealed that farmers’ perceptions of climate change, extension contact frequency, farmers’ attitude towards adaptation measures, tailor-made training and membership of farmers in peasant associations were found to be significant predictors that positively influenced farmers’ decision behaviour, whereas off-farm employment and the age of the household head were found to be negative and significant determinants. Practical implications This study, in general, provides an insight into the risk perception, adaptive response and determinants of farmers’ decision behaviour in implementing response strategies and suggests that policies and strategies intended at building the adaptive capacity of the farming community in the study area need to take into account the aforementioned significant factors and framers risk perception, as they highly determine their decision behaviour and help in designing effective and context-specific adaptation strategy. Originality/value The findings of this study could be informative for policy makers and development practitioners in designing locally specific effective adaptation menu that shapes adaptation to current and future climate risks.
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Silva, Edson Coutinho da, and Alexandre Luzzi Las Casas. "Social Marketing for Restraining the Violence of the Supporters by Behaviour Change." International Journal of Business Administration 10, no. 4 (May 16, 2019): 64. http://dx.doi.org/10.5430/ijba.v10n4p64.
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This theoretical paper aims to introduce and discuss the role of the social marketing as a tool to decrease the index of violence between supporters and improve the satisfaction, well-being and quality of life of fans (as a whole) in the stadium. Understanding the violence in the stadium as a social problem; social marketing becomes a relevant instrument to decrease the violence between supporters since behaviour change is the core concept. Social marketing principles use ideas to transform a social scenario. Social marketing seeks, in the sports area, to encourage supporters to perform an active role in the well-being process in the stadium, taking into consideration themselves, sports club, public services preservation and non-supporters. The social marketing campaign should be designed by a public organisation using the partnership with the sports clubs or sponsorships to improve the offer of well-being for individuals; however, not providing profits for anyone.
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Eng, Lawson, Sophia Yijia Liu, Jie Su, Dan Pringle, Mary Mahler, Chongya Niu, Hiten Naik, et al. "Body mass index (BMI), health behaviors, and perceptions in cancer survivors." Journal of Clinical Oncology 36, no. 7_suppl (March 1, 2018): 97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2018.36.7_suppl.97.
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97 Background: Obesity is associated with poorer outcomes across multiple cancer types. Health behaviour change (smoking cessation, physical activity (PA) and alcohol moderation) can improve both obesity and outcomes among cancer survivors. Methods: Cancer patients (pts) were cross-sectionally surveyed on their smoking, PA and alcohol use before and after diagnosis and their perceptions of these behaviours on quality of life (QoL), fatigue, survival (OS) and safety. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated the association of BMI 1 year prior to diagnosis with behaviour changes and perceptions. Results: Of 1269 pts, 204 smoked at diagnosis and 58% quit afterwards; 350 met PA guidelines at diagnosis and 238 at follow-up; 661 drank alcohol at diagnosis and 50% reduced consumption afterwards. Median BMI was 25.8 (22% obese). Most pts perceived PA ( > 75%) as improving outcomes, smoking ( > 70%) as worsening outcomes and half (41-49%) felt alcohol worsened outcomes. At diagnosis, increased BMI was associated with being an ex-smoker (vs current smoker; P= 0.003), never using alcohol (vs former use; P= 0.05) and not meeting PA guidelines ( P= 0.01). Among smokers at diagnosis, increased BMI was associated with smoking cessation (aOR 1.08 per 1 unit BMI increase, P= 0.03) and perceiving that smoking worsens OS (aOR 1.10, P= 0.04) and fatigue (aOR 1.08, P= 0.08). Among pts not meeting PA guidelines at diagnosis, increased BMI was associated with perceiving that PA worsens fatigue (OR 1.02, P= 0.06) and is unsafe (OR 1.04, P= 0.06). Among drinkers at diagnosis, increasing BMI was associated with perceiving alcohol to be less harmful (aOR 0.93, P= 0.002), less likely to worsen OS (aOR 0.96, P= 0.04) and fatigue (aOR 0.97, P= 0.09). BMI was not associated with changes in alcohol or PA after diagnosis. BMI was not associated with counselling rates; however, 66% of current smokers received cessation counselling while only 14% of current drinkers and 13% of pts not meeting PA guidelines received counselling on their respective behaviours. Conclusions: Obese pts were more likely to quit smoking and perceive it to be harmful but less likely to perceive alcohol as harmful. Survivorship programs should consider focusing on PA and alcohol counselling in obese pts.
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Stubbs, J., C. Pallister, A. Avery, J. Allan, and J. Lavin. "Weight, body mass index and behaviour change in a commercially run lifestyle programme for young people." Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 25, no. 2 (February 9, 2012): 161–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-277x.2011.01224.x.
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Puteri, Nafisah Eka, Ayu Diah Damayanti, Maryam Jameelah, and Sarah Giovani. "COVID-19 CONFINEMENT CHANGED DIETARY BEHAVIOUR IN INDONESIA." PREPOTIF : Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat 6, no. 1 (February 13, 2022): 418–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.31004/prepotif.v6i1.2600.
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Pandemic has affected various sectors and caused alteration in many fields. Dietary behaviour might change due to COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies related to dietary behaviour during COVID-19 pandemic had been done in several countries. However, there is limited study on consumption pattern in Indonesia during pandemic. Our work focused on observing the changes in dietary behaviour of Indonesian during COVID-19 confinement. In order to reach the purpose, a cross-sectional study was conducted by using online questionnaire distributed using social media. The information of respondents related to socio-demographic and situation during confinement were gathered. Furthermore, respondents were also inquired about the consumption of vegetable, fruit, supplement and vitamin, soft drink, snack, and jamu or empon-empon during COVID-19 confinement. The results will be useful for industries and government due to the lack of information related to dietary behaviour during COVID-19 confinement in Indonesia. The results found an increasing and decreasing consumption of certain food group due to economic situation, stress and anxiety, and also food accessibility. COVID-19 confinement also changed the way in preparing meal. This condition was also affected by the increasing of respondents’ awareness on healthier lifestyle. A longer observation accompanied by Body Mass Index information is able to illustrate the impact of dietary behaviour during COVID-19 pandemic on chronic disease tendency.
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Buchan, Kelly, and Heather M. Morgan. "Using the Onitor® Track for weight loss: A mixed methods study among overweight and obese women." Health Informatics Journal 26, no. 3 (December 17, 2019): 1841–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1460458219890790.
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Non-communicable disease rates associated with being overweight or obese are rising. Technologies warrant consideration as weight loss interventions. Cloudtag’s® Onitor® Track, a dual-position wearable plus smartphone application, monitors energy expenditure and provides tailored exercise programmes. This research aimed to undertake an experimental study of 20 overweight and obese women using the technology; explore its feasibility and acceptability through interviews; and investigate its behaviour change techniques. The primary outcome was decreased body weight (kg) at 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes were body mass index (kg/m2) and waist circumference (cm) changes. 15 overweight and obese women took part. Results indicated weight loss (median 2.7 kg, p < 0.05) and waist circumference decrease (median 4 cm, p < 0.05), but attrition was high (60%). Users reported dietary changes but few activity adjustments. They valued feedback. 27 behaviour change techniques were identified. The Onitor® Track shows potential for weight loss in overweight and obese women, but further work is needed.
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Baechler, J., C. A. Beck, and W. D. Bowen. "Dive shapes reveal temporal changes in the foraging behaviour of different age and sex classes of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina)." Canadian Journal of Zoology 80, no. 9 (September 1, 2002): 1569–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z02-150.
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Classifying dives into two-dimensional shapes based on time and depth is an attempt to extract additional information about the behaviour of aquatic air-breathing predators. In some species, there is considerable circumstantial evidence that different dive shapes represent different behaviours. However, few studies have provided direct evidence of the relationship between dive shape and function. We classified over 283 000 dives of adults (31 males and 45 females) and suckling (13) and recently weaned (15) harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) pups into seven shapes using supervised discriminant function analysis. Changes in the percentage of U-shaped dives over time within adults and weaned pups were associated with changes in food intake derived from water-flux studies on subsets of the same individuals. The changes in the percentage of U-shaped dives were accompanied by roughly reciprocal changes in V-shaped dives, whereas there was little change in other dive shapes, indicating that V-shaped dives are not generally exhibited during foraging. Video of adult males (from an animal-borne video system) also showed that there was a strong but not exclusive association between foraging and U-shaped dives. Our results indicate that changes in the percentage of U-shaped dives may serve as a reasonable index of changes in foraging behaviour. However, behaviours of suckling pups and adult males during the breeding season cannot be easily inferred from dive shape alone.
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Cotterill, Sarah, Mei Yee Tang, Rachael Powell, Elizabeth Howarth, Laura McGowan, Jane Roberts, Benjamin Brown, and Sarah Rhodes. "Social norms interventions to change clinical behaviour in health workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Health Services and Delivery Research 8, no. 41 (October 2020): 1–138. http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/hsdr08410.
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Background A social norms intervention seeks to change the clinical behaviour of a target health worker by exposing them to the values, beliefs, attitudes or behaviours of a reference group or person. These low-cost interventions can be used to encourage health workers to follow recommended professional practice. Objective To summarise evidence on whether or not social norms interventions are effective in encouraging health worker behaviour change, and to identify the most effective social norms interventions. Design A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Data sources The following databases were searched on 24 July 2018: Ovid MEDLINE (1946 to week 2 July 2018), EMBASE (1974 to 3 July 2018), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (1937 to July 2018), British Nursing Index (2008 to July 2018), ISI Web of Science (1900 to present), PsycINFO (1806 to week 3 July 2018) and Cochrane trials (up to July 2018). Participants Health workers took part in the study. Interventions Behaviour change interventions based on social norms. Outcome measures Health worker clinical behaviour, for example prescribing (primary outcome), and patient health outcomes, for example blood test results (secondary), converted into a standardised mean difference. Methods Titles and abstracts were reviewed against the inclusion criteria to exclude any that were clearly ineligible. Two reviewers independently screened the remaining full texts to identify relevant papers. Two reviewers extracted data independently, coded for behaviour change techniques and assessed quality using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. We performed a meta-analysis and presented forest plots, stratified by behaviour change technique. Sources of variation were explored using metaregression and network meta-analysis. Results A total of 4428 abstracts were screened, 477 full texts were screened and findings were based on 106 studies. Most studies were in primary care or hospitals, targeting prescribing, ordering of tests and communication with patients. The interventions included social comparison (in which information is given on how peers behave) and credible source (which refers to communication from a well-respected person in support of the behaviour). Combined data suggested that interventions that included social norms components were associated with an improvement in health worker behaviour of 0.08 standardised mean differences (95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.10 standardised mean differences) (n = 100 comparisons), and an improvement in patient outcomes of 0.17 standardised mean differences (95% confidence interval 0.14 to 0.20) (n = 14), on average. Heterogeneity was high, with an overall I 2 of 85.4% (primary) and 91.5% (secondary). Network meta-analysis suggested that three types of social norms intervention were most effective, on average, compared with control: credible source (0.30 standardised mean differences, 95% confidence interval 0.13 to 0.47); social comparison combined with social reward (0.39 standardised mean differences, 95% confidence interval 0.15 to 0.64); and social comparison combined with prompts and cues (0.33 standardised mean differences, 95% confidence interval 0.22 to 0.44). Limitations The large number of studies prevented us from requesting additional information from authors. The trials varied in design, context and setting, and we combined different types of outcome to provide an overall summary of evidence, resulting in a very heterogeneous review. Conclusions Social norms interventions are an effective method of changing clinical behaviour in a variety of health service contexts. Although the overall result was modest and very variable, there is the potential for social norms interventions to be scaled up to target the behaviour of a large population of health workers and resulting patient outcomes. Future work Development of optimised credible source and social comparison behaviour change interventions, including qualitative research on acceptability and feasibility. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42016045718. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 8, No. 41. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Rust, William, John P. Bloomfield, Mark Cuthbert, Ron Corstanje, and Ian Holman. "The importance of non-stationary multiannual periodicities in the North Atlantic Oscillation index for forecasting water resource drought." Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 26, no. 9 (May 11, 2022): 2449–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-2449-2022.
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Abstract. Drought forecasting and early warning systems for water resource extremes are increasingly important tools in water resource management in Europe where increased population density and climate change are expected to place greater pressures on water supply. In this context, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is often used to indicate future water resource behaviours (including droughts) over Europe, given its dominant control on winter rainfall totals in the North Atlantic region. Recent hydroclimate research has focused on the role of multiannual periodicities in the NAO in driving low frequency behaviours in some water resources, suggesting that notable improvements to lead-times in forecasting may be possible by incorporating these multiannual relationships. However, the importance of multiannual NAO periodicities for driving water resource behaviour, and the feasibility of this relationship for indicating future droughts, has yet to be assessed in the context of known non-stationarities that are internal to the NAO and its influence on European meteorological processes. Here we quantify the time–frequency relationship between the NAO and a large dataset of water resources records to identify key non-stationarities that have dominated multiannual behaviour of water resource extremes over recent decades. The most dominant of these is a 7.5-year periodicity in water resource extremes since approximately 1970 but which has been diminishing since 2005. Furthermore, we show that the non-stationary relationship between the NAO and European rainfall is clearly expressed at multiannual periodicities in the water resource records assessed. These multiannual behaviours are found to have modulated historical water resource anomalies to an extent that is comparable to the projected effects of a worst-case climate change scenario. Furthermore, there is limited systematic understanding in existing atmospheric research for non-stationarities in these periodic behaviours which poses considerable implications to existing water resource forecasting and projection systems, as well as the use of these periodic behaviours as an indicator of future water resource drought.
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Powell, J. Suzanne, W. Andy Take, Greg Siemens, and V. H. Remenda. "Time-dependent behaviour of the Bearpaw Shale in oedometric loading and unloading." Canadian Geotechnical Journal 49, no. 4 (April 2012): 427–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/t2012-004.
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Time-dependent behaviour can have a significant influence on the compressibility characteristics of soils. However, most of the research on this topic has investigated the behaviour of soft soils. In this paper, the time-dependent behaviour of a hard clay shale (Bearpaw Shale) is investigated using both one-dimensional multi-staged loading (MSL) oedometer and constant rate of strain (CRS) oedometer consolidation tests conducted on 25.0 and 16.9 mm diameter specimens. The results show that soft clays and hard clay shales that share the same Cαe/[Formula: see text] ratio (where Cαe is the secondary compression index and [Formula: see text] is the incremental compression index) will show the same approximately 7% change in pre-consolidation pressure for an increase of one log cycle of strain rate despite the many orders of magnitude difference in pre-consolidation pressure. In the case of the Bearpaw Shale, this 7% change in pre-consolidation pressure corresponds to approximately 700 kPa. The time-dependent behaviour of the Bearpaw Shale during unloading (Cαe/[Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the incremental swelling index) was observed to follow a similar ratio to that observed in compression (Cαe/[Formula: see text]). While the exact nature of the compression and swelling events that have occurred over the life of the Bearpaw Formation is not clear, the influence of secondary compression cannot be ignored for interpretation of the geological history of this deposit.
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Baker, Felicity, and Carolyn Jones. "Holding a Steady Beat: The Effects of a Music Therapy Program on Stabilising Behaviours of Newly Arrived Refugee Students." British Journal of Music Therapy 19, no. 2 (December 2005): 67–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/135945750501900205.
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Vulnerability to crisis in newly arrived refugee youth is common as they try to come to terms with past traumatic experiences and acculturate to the new country in which they have settled. This study examined the effects of a short-term music therapy program on the changes to the Behaviour Symptom Index (BSI, Reynolds and Kamphus, 1998) of 31 new refugee youths attending an English language reception centre in Brisbane. A cross-over design with two five-week intervention periods was employed with group music therapy sessions conducted one-two times per week. Results indicate that changes to BSI scores approached significance indicating trends that music therapy affected a positive change on generalised behaviour. Findings are discussed with reference to stabilizing and preventing crises with this population.
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Diotaiuti, Pierluigi, Giuseppe Valente, Stefania Mancone, Lavinia Falese, Fernando Bellizzi, Daniela Anastasi, Elisa Langiano, Fábio Hech Dominski, and Alexandro Andrade. "Perception of Risk, Self-Efficacy and Social Trust during the Diffusion of Covid-19 in Italy." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 7 (March 25, 2021): 3427. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073427.
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The Coronavirus pandemic has affected the lives of people all over the world. The perception of risk and people’s consequent behaviour during a pandemic are very complex and are affected by multiple cultural and psychological factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the change in risk perception, perceived self-efficacy and the perceived trust in the behaviour of others, the decisions of health authorities and government provisions, as well as the variation of self-restraint behaviours during the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic in Italy. We used a convenience sample of 707 university students (Mage = 22.99; SD = 4.01) from a central area of Italy. Participants freely joined the research by answering an online questionnaire between February and March 2020. Three time intervals defined by the progressive containment measures implemented by the Italian Government were considered. Main outcome measures were the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, the Risk Perception Index, the Index of Self-restraint Behaviours, and Institutional and Interpersonal Trust Measures. Results confirmed that significant changes in the time progression have occurred in the perception of risk, in the perception of individual self-efficacy, in the value attributed to social responsibility, in interpersonal trust and in trust in health authorities. The study also identified the participants’ personality traits and locus of control as predictors (positive and negative) of perceived self-efficacy and tested a mediation model of trust on the effect of risk perception on self-restraint intentions.
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Booker, William H., and Brett C. Eaton. "Morphodynamic styles: characterising the behaviour of gravel-bed rivers using a novel, quantitative index." Earth Surface Dynamics 10, no. 2 (March 21, 2022): 247–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-247-2022.
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Abstract. The assessment of river channels widely focusses on using channel form to identify channel character but fails to capture the more nuanced variations in morphodynamics without the analysis of process. This paper presents a method using an index of channel behaviour, the throughput ratio (ζ), which is calculated from morphologic change and sediment transport, and explores the viability of inferring process from channel form to act as an indicator of channel behaviour. Two experiments using the same initial width, slope, discharge, and grain size were used to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method in representing different morphodynamics. In one experiment the channel was allowed to laterally deform, whilst the other had inerodible elements placed at its boundaries. As a result the experiment with mobile banks widened and reduced sediment transport to zero, whereas the fixed-bank experiment – unable to decrease its shear stress – continued to output material. In both, the rate of morphologic change tended to zero despite their marked differences in sediment transport over time. The differences in evolution are due to the differences in process available to each channel despite an initial similarity in bed mobility and their gross similarity of a meandering planform. The throughput ratio allows new representations of the temporal and spatial patterns of the morphodynamics, providing additional measures with which to analyse the processes acting in river channels.
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Baker, John, Kathryn Berzins, Krysia Canvin, Iris Benson, Ian Kellar, Judy Wright, Rocio Rodriguez Lopez, Joy Duxbury, Tim Kendall, and Duncan Stewart. "Non-pharmacological interventions to reduce restrictive practices in adult mental health inpatient settings: the COMPARE systematic mapping review." Health Services and Delivery Research 9, no. 5 (February 2021): 1–184. http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/hsdr09050.
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ObjectivesThe study aimed to provide a mapping review of non-pharmacological interventions to reduce restrictive practices in adult mental health inpatient settings; classify intervention components using the behaviour change technique taxonomy; explore evidence of behaviour change techniques and interventions; and identify the behaviour change techniques that show most effectiveness and those that require further testing.BackgroundIncidents involving violence and aggression occur frequently in adult mental health inpatient settings. They often result in restrictive practices such as restraint and seclusion. These practices carry significant risks, including physical and psychological harm to service users and staff, and costs to the NHS. A number of interventions aim to reduce the use of restrictive practices by using behaviour change techniques to modify practice. Some interventions have been evaluated, but effectiveness research is hampered by limited attention to the specific components. The behaviour change technique taxonomy provides a common language with which to specify intervention content.DesignSystematic mapping study and analysis.Data sourcesEnglish-language health and social care research databases, and grey literature, including social media. The databases searched included British Nursing Index (BNI), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CCRCT), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), EMBASE, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Database, HTA Canadian and International, Ovid MEDLINE®, NHS Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED), PsycInfo®and PubMed. Databases were searched from 1999 to 2019.Review methodsBroad literature search; identification, description and classification of interventions using the behaviour change technique taxonomy; and quality appraisal of reports. Records of interventions to reduce any form of restrictive practice used with adults in mental health services were retrieved and subject to scrutiny of content, to identify interventions; quality appraisal, using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool; and data extraction, regarding whether participants were staff or service users, number of participants, study setting, intervention type, procedures and fidelity. The resulting data set for extraction was guided by the Workgroup for Intervention Development and Evaluation Research, Cochrane and theory coding scheme recommendations. The behaviour change technique taxonomy was applied systematically to each identified intervention. Intervention data were examined for overarching patterns, range and frequency. Overall percentages of behaviour change techniques by behaviour change technique cluster were reported. Procedures used within interventions, for example staff training, were described using the behaviour change technique taxonomy.ResultsThe final data set comprised 221 records reporting 150 interventions, 109 of which had been evaluated. The most common evaluation approach was a non-randomised design. There were six randomised controlled trials. Behaviour change techniques from 14 out of a possible 16 clusters were detected. Behaviour change techniques found in the interventions were most likely to be those that demonstrated statistically significant effects. The most common intervention target was seclusion and restraint reduction. The most common strategy was staff training. Over two-thirds of the behaviour change techniques mapped onto four clusters, that is ‘goals and planning’, ‘antecedents’, ‘shaping knowledge’ and ‘feedback and monitoring’. The number of behaviour change techniques identified per intervention ranged from 1 to 33 (mean 8 techniques).LimitationsMany interventions were poorly described and might have contained additional behaviour change techniques that were not detected. The finding that the evidence was weak restricted the study’s scope for examining behaviour change technique effectiveness. The literature search was restricted to English-language records.ConclusionsStudies on interventions to reduce restrictive practices appear to be diverse and poor. Interventions tend to contain multiple procedures delivered in multiple ways.Future workPrior to future commissioning decisions, further research to enhance the evidence base could help address the urgent need for effective strategies. Testing individual procedures, for example, audit and feedback, could ascertain which are the most effective intervention components. Separate testing of individual components could improve understanding of content and delivery.Study registrationThe study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42018086985.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full inHealth Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 9, No. 5. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Roche, Doireann, Anthony Rafferty, Sinead Holden, Sarah Louise Killeen, Maria Kennelly, and Fionnuala M. McAuliffe. "Maternal Well-Being and Stage of Behaviour Change during Pregnancy: A Secondary Analysis of the PEARS Randomised Controlled Trial." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 1 (December 20, 2022): 34. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010034.
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We aimed to determine whether early pregnancy well-being was associated with the stage of behaviour change during an antenatal lifestyle intervention using a secondary analysis of data from the Pregnancy Exercise and Nutrition Research Study (PEARS). Pregnant women (n = 277) with well-being data in early pregnancy were included. Maternal well-being was measured using the World Health Organisation Five-Item Well-Being Index. The intervention consisted of a mobile health (mHealth) phone application, supported by antenatal education and exercise, to prevent gestational diabetes in a population with overweight. Stage of behaviour change was measured in late pregnancy using a five-stage classification. Ordinal logistic regression was used to examine if well-being, the study group, or their interaction, were related to behaviour change. Maternal well-being (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01, 1.04, p < 0.01) and the study group (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.44, 3.51, p < 0.01) both significantly influenced the positive stage of behaviour change. The probability of being at stage 5 increased from 43 to 92% as well-being increased from 0 to 100% and was higher in the intervention (53%) compared to the control (34%) group (p ≤ 0.01 (8.65, 29.27). This study demonstrates the potential importance of well-being in enabling women to engage with a healthy lifestyle, and the role that mHealth technology has in facilitating beneficial behaviour change.
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Semsarian, C., G. Rigney, P. Cistulli, and Y. Bin. "P131 The impact of an online sleep education program on university students’ sleep knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours." SLEEP Advances 2, Supplement_1 (October 1, 2021): A64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/sleepadvances/zpab014.172.
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Abstract Introduction Sleep is essential for optimising health and academic performance, yet university students consistently report poor sleep quality. We conducted a before-and-after study to determine if an interactive, online sleep course improved sleep (1) knowledge, (2) attitudes, and (3) behaviours among university students. Methods Undergraduate students completed the course from August-November 2020. The course involved activities that encouraged students to reflect on their own sleep behaviours and goals. Baseline data was collected through course surveys and students were invited to complete a 6-month follow-up survey via email. Results N=212 students completed the baseline questionnaires and n=75 (35%) completed the follow-up survey. Students retained at follow-up possessed higher baseline sleep knowledge and received higher grades. At 6-months follow-up, sleep knowledge increased from baseline (mean quiz score: 60 vs 84%, p<0.001). 85% of students aimed to increase their sleep knowledge at baseline and 91% reported that they were more knowledgeable at follow-up. 83% of students aimed to improve their sleep at baseline and 37% reported improvement at follow-up. 53% of students’ attitudes towards their sleep behaviours had changed from baseline. There was reduction in sleep latency (mean 33.3 vs 25.6min, p=0.015), but no change in total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score at follow-up. Discussion Completion of an interactive sleep education course led to increased sleep knowledge and changes in sleep attitudes, with no meaningful change in sleep behaviours. Future interventions require careful design and evaluation, and should consider components of behavioural change (e.g. motivation, triggers) that go beyond the knowledge-attitudes-behaviour continuum.
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Langston, Keanne, Lynda J. Ross, Angela Byrnes, and Robin Hay. "Secondary‐prevention behaviour‐change strategy for high‐risk patients: Benefits for all classes of body mass index." Nutrition & Dietetics 77, no. 5 (January 9, 2020): 499–507. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12605.
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Erkomaishvili, David. "Alliance Index: Measuring Alignments in International Relations." International Studies 56, no. 1 (January 2019): 28–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0020881718825079.
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Orthodox approaches developed by Alliance Theory to study alliances are characterized by static and state-centric focus, which exposes theory’s logical limitations. In contrast, modern alignments are marked by continuous oscillations. Alignment stability—according to orthodox Alliance Theory—may be altogether misleading for the explanation of behaviour in alignment. This article theoretically re-conceptualizes the key notion of the orthodox Alliance Theory—the concept of alliance. Building on the basis of isolated but significant fragments of advanced research, the theoretical essence of the Alliance Theory is adjusted to encompass alignment process. Importantly, such a re-calibration bears in on an overlooked element common to all alignments—fluidity. Theoretical modification resulted in two important outcomes. First, the change of the vantage point in explaining alignments theoretically extends the orthodox Alliance Theory’s traditionally limited applicability, which excluded subnational and non-state actors. Second, the change allowed reviewing the essence of alignments focusing on a persistently evolving process, rather than on alignments’ institutional image. Sustained realignment, upgrading or downgrading of cooperative relations between actors and concurrent alignment to rival parties is no more confusing in explaining alignments. The article develops an alignment index and calculates it for the post-Soviet space.
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Phanikumar, B. R. "Volume change behaviour of an expansive clay blended with lime and pond ash – controlling swell." Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology 54, no. 1 (June 18, 2020): qjegh2020–046. http://dx.doi.org/10.1144/qjegh2020-046.
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This paper presents the influence of lime content on free swell index (FSI) of an expansive clay powder passing through a 425 µm sieve and on some significant swell-compressibility characteristics of oven-dry, expansive clay with grains of a size <4.75 mm. One-dimensional swell-consolidation tests were conducted on the expansive clay passing through a 4.75 mm sieve to which lime powder (CaOH2) was added at 0, 1, 2 and 4% by dry weight of the clay. Swell potential, swelling pressure, coefficient of compressibility (av), compression index (Cc) and linear shrinkage (LS) were evaluated. While av, Cc and LS decreased significantly with increasing lime content, swelling pressure increased. Heave and swell potential also decreased with increasing lime content but only up to 2% and were found to have increased at 4% lime content. The paper also compares the swell-compressibility behaviour of 2% lime-blended expansive clay lumps and powders. Heave and swell potential were higher for clay powder than for clay lumps at 2% lime. However, swelling pressure (ps) was found to be more for clay lumps than clay powder. Furthermore, the paper also presents the variation of FSI and swell-compressibility characteristics of another expansive clay powder (of different properties) blended with pond ash contents of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%. One-dimensional swell-consolidation tests were conducted on clay–pond ash blends in an oedometer. Swell potential and swelling pressure decreased up to 15% of pond ash content and increased thereafter, when pond ash content was increased to 20%. FSI of the ash-blended clay specimens was also determined. FSI continuously decreased with increase in pond ash content.
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Leroueil, S., J. Tardif, M. Roy, P. La Rochelle, and J. M. Konrad. "Effects of frost on the mechanical behaviour of Champlain Sea clays." Canadian Geotechnical Journal 28, no. 5 (October 1, 1991): 690–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/t91-083.
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This paper presents the mechanical behaviour of Champlain Sea clays when subjected to one cycle of freeze-thaw. It appears that most of the characteristics, namely, the undrained shear strength, the thaw consolidation volume change, and the strength after consolidation, are related to the initial liquidity index and can thus be easily predicted. Results also show that frozen–thawed Champlain Sea clays present a dilatant behaviour very similar to that of granular materials. Key words: sensitive clays, frost, laboratory, strength, compressibility.
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Long, Clive, Rachel West, Samantha Rigg, Rebecca Spickett, Lynne Murray, Paul Savage, Sarah Butler, Swee-Kit Stillman, and Olga Dolley. "Increasing physical activity in a secure psychiatric service for women." Mental Health Review Journal 20, no. 3 (September 14, 2015): 144–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/mhrj-09-2014-0036.
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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of measures designed to increase physical activity in women in secure psychiatric care. Design/methodology/approach – A range of interventions (environmental and motivational) designed to increase participation in physical activities were introduced on two secure wards for women. A pre-post design assessed frequency, duration and intensity of physical activity, attendance at physical activity sessions, exercise motivation, exercise-related mood, attitudes to exercise and health and biological indices. Measures collected over a three-month baseline period were repeated six months post-intervention. Findings – Significant changes occurred in both attitudes to exercise and health, exercise motivation and exercise behaviour following change initiatives. With the exception of resting pulse rate and perceived exertion, the increased level of activity was not reflected in changes in body mass index, body fat or body muscle. Practical implications – Management led, multi-disciplinary interventions to increase physical activity can have a positive impact on both lifestyle behaviours and physical health. Originality/value – This study adds to a small literature on increasing physical activity in women in secure psychiatric settings where obstacles to change are formidable.
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Ahmed, Rebekah M., Elizabeth Highton-Williamson, Jashelle Caga, Nicollette Thornton, Eleanor Ramsey, Margaret Zoing, Olivier Piguet, et al. "013 Lipid metabolism and body composition in frontotemporal dementia-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spectrum: effect on survival and disease progression." Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 89, no. 6 (May 24, 2018): A6.3—A7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2018-anzan.13.
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IntroductionPatients with Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) exhibit changes in eating behaviour that could potentially affect lipid levels and body composition. This study aimed to document changes in lipid metabolism and body composition across the ALS-FTD spectrum to identify potential relationships to eating behaviour (including fat intake), cognitive change, body mass index (BMI) and effect on survival.MethodsOne hundred and twenty eight participants were recruited: 37 ALS patients, 15 ALS patients with cognitive and behavioural change (ALS-Plus), and 13 ALS-FTD, 31 behavioural variant FTD, and 32 healthy controls. Fasting total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and triglyceride levels were measured and correlated to eating behaviour (caloric, fat intake), cognitive change, and BMI; effect on survival was examined using cox regression analyses. In a cohort of 60 patients, changes in body composition and fat deposition was examined using Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scans (DEXA), a technique used in obesity research.ResultsThere was a spectrum of lipid changes from ALS to FTD with increased triglyceride (p<0.001), total cholesterol/HDL ratio (p<0.001), and lower HDL levels (p=0.001) in all patient groups compared to controls. Whilst there was no increase in total cholesterol levels, a higher cholesterol level was found to correlate with 3.25 times improved survival (p=0.031). Triglyceride and HDL cholesterol correlated to fat intake, BMI, and measures of cognition andConclusionA spectrum of changes in lipid metabolism and body composition has been identified in ALS-FTD, with total cholesterol levels found to potentially impact on survival. These changes were mediated by changes in fat intake, and BMI, and may also be mediated by the neurodegenerative process, offering the potential to modify these factors to slow disease progression and improve survival.
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Muththalib, Abdulla, and Béatrice A. Baudet. "Effect of heavy metal contamination on the plasticity of kaolin-bentonite clay mixtures and an illite-smectite rich natural clay." E3S Web of Conferences 92 (2019): 10005. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20199210005.
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The behaviour of soil is complex in a natural environment. Contamination of soil with organic and inorganic contaminants may change the properties of soil. Recent studies have shown that the heavy metal contaminants affect the plasticity and consolidation behaviours. However, little is known about the effects of heavy metals on the behaviour of different types of clay, especially how clay behaves when multiple heavy metals are present in clay. The paper will present results from tests on the effect of three different heavy metal ions used separately, and mixed together in combinations, on the liquid limit (wL), plastic limit (wP) and plasticity index (PI) of kaolin, bentonite, mixtures of kaolin and bentonite and reconstituted Lucera clay. It is found that plasticity index of bentonite is reduced significantly with the addition of heavy metals while PI increases slightly in kaolin. A 1:1 clay mixture of kaolin and bentonite showed significant reduction, while reconstituted Lucera clay has shown small reduction with the addition of heavy metals. It is found that at higher concentrations of copper and zinc cations, the effect takes reverse trend on the liquid limit of kaolin and similar behaviour was observed on the bentonite at higher concentrations of lead ion. Interestingly, lead ion exhibited a significant effect on the plasticity of bentonite when tested with NaCl solution as pore fluid.
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Eng, Lawson, Katrina Hueniken, M. Catherine Brown, Andrew Hope, Meredith Elana Giuliani, Peter Selby, Kelvin K. Chan, et al. "Impact of health behavior change on health utility (HU) and financial toxicity in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors." Journal of Clinical Oncology 37, no. 15_suppl (May 20, 2019): 11561. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.11561.
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11561 Background: Health behavior changes including tobacco cessation and increasing physical activity (PA) are important aspects of cancer survivorship. Understanding how these behaviours impact on HU and financial toxicity will help when evaluating survivorship programs. We evaluated the impact of tobacco cessation and PA on HU, function and financial toxicity among HNC patients (pts). Methods: HNC pts from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre completed questionnaires at baseline (diagnosis) and 12 months between 2014-2018 evaluating tobacco use, PA with the Godin questionnaire, cancer related monthly out of pocket costs (OOPC), HU using HU Index Mark 3, function using Lawton Brody Scale (LBS) and lost annual income. Multivariable linear regression analyses evaluated the impact of health behaviour change on OOPC, HU, LBS and lost income. Results: Among 296 pts, mean age 61, 76% male; 29% smoked at diagnosis, 60% quit 1 year after; 26% met PA guidelines at diagnosis, 52% continued to meet guidelines at 1 year. 19% of those not meeting PA guidelines at diagnosis, met them at 1 year. Among all, mean HU [SEM] was 0.84 [0.01] (baseline), 0.80 [0.01] (12 months); mean monthly OOPC [SEM] were $171 [27] (12 months); mean annual lost individual income was $25897 [2945]. Among smokers at diagnosis, those continuing to smoke at 1 year lost a mean of $21272 (95% CI [$2783-39761] P= 0.03) more in individual annual income compared to pts who quit, adjusted for baseline income and education. Current smokers who quit smoking at 1 year had an adjusted mean increase in HU of 0.15 ([0.00-0.30] P= 0.05) greater than pts continuing to smoke. Pts who continued meeting PA guidelines at 1 year had an adjusted mean increase in HU scores of 0.11 ([0.02-0.20], P= 0.02) compared to those reducing PA levels after diagnosis. Changes in PA and tobacco were not associated with change in function or OOPC; improving to meet PA guidelines after diagnosis was not associated with HU or lost income ( P> 0.05). Conclusions: Quitting smoking and maintaining PA levels after diagnosis were associated with improvements in HU scores; quitting smoking reduced lost income. Cancer survivors should be made aware of the potential economic impact of behaviour change.
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Varela, Vassiliki, Diamando Vlachogiannis, Athanasios Sfetsos, Stelios Karozis, Nadia Politi, and Frédérique Giroud. "Projection of Forest Fire Danger due to Climate Change in the French Mediterranean Region." Sustainability 11, no. 16 (August 8, 2019): 4284. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11164284.
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Fire occurrence and behaviour in Mediterranean-type ecosystems strongly depend on the air temperature and wind conditions, the amount of fuel load and the drought conditions that drastically increase flammability, particularly during the summer period. In order to study the fire danger due to climate change for these ecosystems, the meteorologically based Fire Weather Index (FWI) can be used. The Fire Weather Index (FWI) system, which is part of the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS), has been validated and recognized worldwide as one of the most trusted and important indicators for meteorological fire danger mapping. A number of FWI system components (Fire Weather Index, Drought Code, Initial Spread Index and Fire Severity Rating) were estimated and analysed in the current study for the Mediterranean area of France. Daily raster-based data-sets for the fire seasons (1st May–31st October) of a historic and a future time period were created for the study area based on representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios, outputs of CNRM-SMHI and MPI-SMHI climate models. GIS spatial analyses were applied on the series of the derived daily raster maps in order to provide a number of output maps for the study area. The results portray various levels of changes in fire danger, in the near future, according to the examined indices. Number of days with high and very high FWI values were found to be doubled compared to the historical period, in particular in areas of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region and Corsica. The areas with high Initial Spread Index and Seasonal Spread Index values increased as well, forming compact zones of high fire danger in the southern part of the study area, while the Drought Code index did not show remarkable changes. The current study on the evolution of spatial and temporal distribution of forest fire danger due to climate change can provide important knowledge to the decision support process for prevention and management policies of forest fires both at a national and EU level.
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Beeren, Ivy, Liesbeth de Goeij, Rana Dandis, Nikoletta Vidra, Moniek van Zutphen, J. Alfred Witjes, Ellen Kampman, Lambertus A. L. M. Kiemeney, and Alina Vrieling. "Limited Changes in Lifestyle Behaviours after Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Diagnosis." Cancers 14, no. 4 (February 15, 2022): 960. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers14040960.
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The aim of our study was to investigate adherence to lifestyle recommendations and lifestyle changes after diagnosis in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Second, we aimed to identify distinct trajectories of lifestyle change and their correlates. We analysed data of 935 patients with NMIBC from a prospective cohort study at six weeks (evaluating pre-diagnostic lifestyle), three months, and fifteen months after diagnosis. An overall lifestyle score (range 0–7) was calculated based on the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) recommendations focusing on diet, body mass index, and physical activity. Linear mixed models were used to analyse absolute lifestyle changes over time. Distinct trajectories of change were identified with latent class trajectory models. We found an overall lifestyle score of 3.3 which remained constant over time. The largest lifestyle changes were observed for the consumption of red and processed meat (−96 g/week) and fruit and vegetables (−38 g/day). Two to four trajectory groups were identified for each single lifestyle behaviour. Correlates differed per trajectory group. In conclusion, adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations was low. Small to moderate changes in and different trajectories of single lifestyle behaviours were observed. Effective strategies for lifestyle improvement are warranted.
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Sisodia, Nidhi, M. S. Parmar, and Saurbh Jain. "Effect of Pre-Treatment on the Smoothness Behaviour of Cotton Fabric." Fibres and Textiles in Eastern Europe 27, no. 5(137) (October 31, 2019): 70–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0013.2901.
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Before dyeing, woven cotton fabrics have been passed through different pre-treatments like desizing, scouring, bleaching and mercerising to enhance quality. In every treatment cotton fabric is treated with different chemicals and mechanical processes. After these treatments, the feel of the fabric has been changed. The change in feel or in terms of the hand value of treated fabrics were analysed by determining the bending length, crease recovery angle, SEM, FTIR, surface roughness and smoothness properties. Other physical properties viz. the tear and tensile strength were also evaluated. Fabric surface roughness and smoothness were determined using the Kawabata Evaluation System (KES) and digital image processing method. Using MATLAB software, digital image processing techniques were used to evaluate the roughness index. The study revealed that the pretreatment process alters the fabric surface. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) was carried out using SPSS software in order to establish the relationship between the pre-treatment process effect on the bending length, smoothness and crease recovery angle.