Active dynamic signage system: A full-scale evacuation trial

Efficient evacuation from transport terminals in an emergency can be constrained by the complex nature of the buildings. Although emergency signage systems are widely used as a well established means of facilitating evacuation, recent research demonstrates that only 38% of people 'see' conventional static emergency signage in simulated emergency situations. Besides, conventional signage only conveys single and passive information; therefore, they cannot be adapted to respond to developing evacuation situations. The EU FP7 GETWAY project addresses this problem for transport terminals through the development of an Intelligent Active Dynamic Signage System (IADSS), which routes terminal passengers to their optimal exit according to the distribution of occupants and the nature of the evolving incident. This paper presents the results of two full scale evacuation trials conducted in a rail station to establish the specific benefits of the Active Dynamic Signage System (i.e. ADSS, a subsystem of the IADSS without the intelligent component) over the current standard emergency signage system. These trials demonstrate that the flashing lights of the ADSS do have a greater effect on route choice compared to the standard signage system and therefore are more likely to promote the adoption of emergency evacuation procedures than would otherwise be the case, especially where evacuees are required to adopt routes not entirely based on proximity

Adherence of popular smoking cessation mobile applications to evidence-based guidelines

Background Smoking remains one of the major preventable causes of chronic diseases. Considering the promising evidence on the effectiveness of mobile technology for health behaviour change, along with the increasing adoption of smartphones, this review aims to systematically assess the adherence of popular mobile apps for smoking cessation to evidence-based guidelines. Methods The United Kingdom Android and iOS markets were searched in February 2018 to identify smoking cessation apps. After screening, 125 Android and 15 iOS apps were tested independently by two reviewers for adherence to the National Institute of Care and Excellence (NICE) Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Self-Help Materials and the Five A Guidelines for Smoking Cessation. Pearson chi square tests were run to examine differences between the two operating systems. Results A majority of apps across both operating systems had low adherence (fulfils 1–2 out of 5 guidelines) to the Five A Guidelines (65.7%) and low adherence (fulfils 1–3 out of 9 guidelines) to the NICE Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Self-Help Materials (63.6%). Only 15% of mobile apps provided information about the benefits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and even fewer provided information regarding types of NRT products (7.1%) or how to use them (2.1%). In addition, only a minority of apps arrange follow-up appointments or provide additional support to help smokers quit. Conclusion Similar to previous mobile app reviews dating back to 2014, our findings show that most mobile apps do not follow existing smoking cessation treatment guidelines, indicating little change regarding the availability of evidence-based mobile apps for smoking cessation in the UK market. Smokers seeking to quit, tobacco control policy makers and software developers need to work together to develop apps that are in line with the latest clinical guidelines and strategies to maximise effectiveness

NATURAL AND ANTHROPOGENIC EFFECTS ON THE SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY OF KAVALA AREA, NORTHERN GREECE

A total of 65 surface soils and 8 rock samples from the area surrounding the city of Kavala, Northern Greece, was collected and analyzed for their contents in 10 major and 32 trace elements. The extraction of the elements from the < 200μm soil fraction was based on the digestion of 0.1g of each sample with 2ml HNO3. The analytical methods used were ICP-OES and ICP-MS and the elements determined were Al, Ca, Cl, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Si, Ag, As, B, Ba, Cd, Ce, Co, nCr, Cs, Cu, Ga, Ge, Hg, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Th, Ti, U, V, W, Y, Zn and Zr. Comparisons between the concentrations of the surface soil samples and the surrounding rock samples indicate that the majority of major, as well as, of trace elements are found in the surface soils of Kavala with such concentrations that are considered as the product of natural processes such as the weathering of parent rocks and pedogenesis. However, there are some nmajor elements (Cl, Na, S) and trace elements (Ag, As, Pb, V, Zn) that are present in the surface soils of the study area with elevated concentrations that cannot be regarded as the sole product of natural processes, but as the result of both, natural and anthropogenic activities, especially for the samples that are situated inside the industrial area of Kavala

Engagement with gamification elements in a smoking cessation app and short-term smoking abstinence: a quantitative assessment

Background: Gamification in smoking cessation apps has been found to improve cognitive outcomes associated with higher odds of quitting. Although some research has shown that gamification can also positively impact behavioral outcomes such as smoking cessation, studies have largely focused on physical activity and mental health. Only a few studies have explored the effects of gamification on smoking cessation outcomes, of which the majority have adopted qualitative methodologies and/or assessed engagement with apps using self-report. Objective: This study aimed to explore levels of user engagement with gamification features in a smoking cessation app via in-app metrics. Specifically, the objective of this paper was to investigate whether higher engagement with gamification features is associated with the likelihood of quitting in the short term. Methods: Data from a larger online study that recruited smokers seeking to quit were analyzed to address the objectives presented in this paper. The study took place between June 2019 and July 2020, and participants were primarily recruited via social media posts. Participants who met the eligibility criteria used 1 of 2 mobile apps for smoking cessation. In-app metrics shared by the developer of one of the smoking cessation apps, called Kwit, were used to assess engagement with gamification features. Out of 58 participants who used the Kwit app, 14 were excluded due to missing data or low engagement with the app (ie, not opening the app once a week). For the remaining 44 participants, mean (SD) values were calculated for engagement with the app using in-app metrics. A logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between engagement with gamification and 7-day smoking abstinence. Results: In total, data from 44 participants who used the Kwit app were analyzed. The majority of participants were male, married, and employed. Almost 30% (n=13) of participants self-reported successful 7-day abstinence at the end of the study. On average, the Kwit app was opened almost 31 (SD 39) times during the 4-week study period, with the diary feature used the most often (mean 22.8, SD 49.3). Moreover, it was found that each additional level unlocked was associated with approximately 22% higher odds of achieving 7-day abstinence after controlling for other factors such as age and gender (odds ratio 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.47). Conclusions: This study highlights the likely positive effects of certain gamification elements such as levels and achievements on short-term smoking abstinence. Although more robust research with a larger sample size is needed, this research highlights the important role that gamification features integrated into mobile apps can play in facilitating and supporting health behavior change

Regional cerebral blood flow and cellular environment in subarachnoid hemorrhage: A thermal doppler flowmetry and microdialysis study

Background Cerebral microdialysis enables assessment of regional metabolic physiology and provides biomarkers for clinical correlation in critical conditions, such as subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of our current study was to investigate the correlation between regional cerebral blood flow and microdialysis parameters (glucose, lactate, glycerol, pyruvate concentrations, and lactate/pyruvate metabolic ratio) in patients with SAH. Materials and methods Twenty-one patients with SAH were enrolled in our retrospective study. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) based on thermal diffusion methodology, the thermal coefficient K, and microdialysis biochemical markers were recorded. The duration of the brain monitoring was 10 days. Results Microdialysis glucose concentration was inversely related to the cerebral temperature and to the L/P ratio. Furthermore, it was positively correlated to all other microdialysis parameters but glycerol. The K coefficient was strongly and positively correlated with the temperature and marginally with the CBF. The L/P ratio was positively correlated with glycerol, while it was inversely correlated with the CBF. Patients who died had elevated L/P ratio and K coefficient compared to the survivors in our series. Conclusions Thermal conductivity coefficient may change over time as cerebral injury progresses and tissue properties alter. These alterations were found to be associated with the microdialysis metabolite concentrations and the CBF itself. The microdialysis biochemical indices of cell stress and death (glycerol, L/P ratio) were positively related to each other, while the measured L/P metabolic ratio was higher among patients who died

The active living gender's gap challenge: 2013-2017 Eurobarometers physical inactivity data show constant higher prevalence in women with no progress towards global reduction goals

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) considers physical inactivity (PIA) as a critical noncommunicable factor for disease and mortality, affecting more women than men. In 2013, the WHO set a 10% reduction of the PIA prevalence, with the goal to be reached by 2025. Changes in the 2013-2017 period of physical inactivity prevalence in the 28 European Union (EU) countries were evaluated to track the progress in achieving WHO 2025 target. METHODS: In 2013 and 2017 EU Special Eurobarometers, the physical activity levels reported by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire of 53,607 adults were analyzed. Data were considered as a whole sample and country-by-country. A χ2 test was used to analyze the physical inactivity prevalence (%) between countries, analyzing women and men together and separately. Additionally, PIA prevalence was analyzed between years (2013-2017) for the overall EU sample and within-country using a Z-Score for two population proportions. RESULTS: The PIA prevalence increased between 2013 and 2017 for the overall EU sample (p <  0.001), and for women (p = 0.04) and men (p < 0.001) separately. Data showed a higher PIA prevalence in women versus men during both years (p <  0.001). When separately considering changes in PIA by gender, only Belgium's women and Luxembourg's men showed a reduction in PIA prevalence. Increases in PIA prevalence over time were observed in women from Austria, Croatia, Germany, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Romania, and Slovakia and in men from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain. CONCLUSIONS: PIA prevalence showed an overall increase across the EU and for both women and men between 2013 and 2017, with higher rates of PIA reported for women versus men during both years. PIA prevalence was reduced in only Belgium's women and Luxembourg's men. Our data indicate a limited gender-sensible approach while tacking PIA prevalence with no progress reaching global voluntary reductions of PIA for 2025