Association between perceived neighborhood built environment and walking and cycling for transport among inhabitants from Latin America : the ELANS study

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Purpose: This study aimed to examine the associations of the perceived neighborhood built environment with walking and cycling for transport in inhabitants from Latin American countries. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 9218 participants (15–65 years) from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health, which included a nationally representative sample of eight countries. All participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form for measure walking and cycling for transport and the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated. Furthermore, perceived proximity from home to public open spaces and shopping centers was assessed. Results: Perceived land use mix-access (OR: 1.32; 95%CI: 1.16,1.50) and the existence of many alternative routes in the neighbourhood (1.09 1.01,1.17) were associated with higher odds of reporting any walking for transport (≥10 min/week). Perceived slow speed of traffic (1.88 1.82,1.93) and few drivers exceeding the speed limits (1.92; 1.86,1.98) were also related to higher odds of reporting any walking for transport. The odds of reporting any cycling for transport (≥10 min/week) were higher in participants perceiving more walking/cycling facilities (1.87 1.76,1.99), and better aesthetics (1.22 1.09,1.38). Conclusions: Dissimilar perceived neighborhood built environment characteristics were associated with walking and cycling for transport among inhabitants from Latin America.Fieldwork and data analysis compromised in ELANS protocol was supported by a scientific grant from the Coca Cola Company, and by grant and/or support from Instituto Pensi/Hospital Infantil Sabara, International Life Science Institute of Argentina, Universidad de Costa Rica, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Universidad Central de Venezuela (CENDES-UCV)/Fundación Bengoa, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, and Instituto de Investigación Nutricional de Peru. André Werneck is supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) with a PhD scholarship (FAPESP process: 2019/24124-7). This paper presents independent research. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the acknowledged institutions. The funding sponsors had no role in study design; the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Computational modelling in disorders of consciousness: closing the gap towards personalised models for restoring consciousness

Disorders of consciousness are complex conditions characterised by persistent loss of responsiveness due to brain injury. They present diagnostic challenges and limited options for treatment, and highlight the urgent need for a more thorough understanding of how human consciousness arises from coordinated neural activity. The increasing availability of multimodal neuroimaging data has given rise to a wide range of clinically- and scientifically-motivated modelling efforts, seeking to improve data-driven stratification of patients, to identify causal mechanisms for patient pathophysiology and loss of consciousness more broadly, and to develop simulations as a means of testing in silico potential treatment avenues to restore consciousness. As a dedicated Working Group of clinicians and neuroscientists of the international Curing Coma Campaign, here we provide our framework and vision to understand the diverse statistical and generative computational modelling approaches that are being employed in this fast-growing field. We identify the gaps that exist between the current state-of-the-art in statistical and biophysical computational modelling in human neuroscience, and the aspirational goal of a mature field of modelling disorders of consciousness; which might drive improved treatments and outcomes in the clinic. Finally, we make several recommendations for how the field as a whole can work together to address these challenges

How far from harmonization are sanitary, phytosanitary and quality-related standards? An exporter's perception approach

Reprint Address: Engler, A (reprint author), Univ Talca, Dept Econ Agr, Fac Ciencias Agr, 2 Norte 685, Talca, Chile.Harmonization of trade regulations and standards is perhaps the most contentious issue regarding export markets due to the impacts that it can have on trade. We determine the extent of harmonization as perceived by exporters with respect to the major Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPSs) and quality measures which Chile faces in 16 international fresh fruit markets. The methodology combined qualitative and quantitative techniques. First, the most relevant safety and quality standards and regulations were identified and ranked. Second, a representative sample of exporters was interviewed to assess their perceptions regarding the level of stringency across markets and time for selected regulations. Perceptions were ranked on a likert scale and based on this scale a stringency index was constructed. The results show that Chile faces regulations which can be grouped into the following categories: (i) phytosanitary measures; (ii) tolerance limits for pesticide residues and contaminants; (iii) hygiene requirements; (iv) labeling, marking and packaging; (v) product and process standards; and (vi) registration procedures and other import requirements. The number of regulations varied among countries, ranging from 13 to 3 out of the 14 considered in the study. The most stringent country among the sample as perceived by exporters was Mexico, whereas the least stringent was Saudi Arabia. Additionally, exporters agreed that stringency has increased over time with an average of 15% between 2005 and 2009. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Effects of support surface stability on feedback control of trunk posture

This study aimed to examine the interactions of visual, vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile sensory manipulations and sitting on either a stable or an unstable surface on mediolateral (ML) trunk sway. Fifteen individuals were measured. In each trial, subjects sat as quiet as possible, on a stable or unstable surface, with or without each of four sensory manipulations: visual (eyes open/closed), vestibular (left and right galvanic vestibular stimulation alternating at 0.25 Hz), proprioceptive (left and right paraspinal muscle vibration alternating at 0.25 Hz), and tactile (minimal finger contact with object moving in the frontal plane at 0.25 Hz). The root mean square (RMS) and the power at 0.25 Hz (P25) of the ML trunk acceleration were the dependent variables. The latter was analyzed only for the rhythmic sensory manipulations and the reference condition. RMS was always significantly larger on the unstable than the stable surface. Closing the eyes caused a significant increase in RMS, more so on the unstable surface. Vestibular stimulation significantly increased RMS and P25 and more so on the unstable surface. Main effects of the proprioceptive manipulation were significant, but the interactions with surface condition were not. Finally, also tactile manipulation increased RMS and P25, but did not interact with surface condition. Sensory information in feedback control of trunk posture appears to be reweighted depending on stability of the environment. The absolute effects of visual and vestibular manipulations increase on an unstable surface, suggesting a relative decrease in the weights of proprioceptive and tactile information

Heterogeneity of farms entering export supply chains: the case of fruit growers from central-south Chile

Engler, A (Engler, A.)[ 2 ]; Cofre, G (Cofre, G.). Univ Talca, Fac Ciencias Agr, Dept Agr Econ, Talca, ChileThe increasing stringency of world food markets requires farmers to adjust farm structure and commercial strategies to remain integrated in export supply chains. The goal of this study was to identify and characterize different types of fresh fruit farms with regard to farm structural and commercial strategies for a representative sample of fresh fruit growers from central-south Chile exporting to world markets. A typology of farms was constructed based on multivariate analysis, according to which five types of farms were differentiated from five distinct factors. Cluster I comprised the smallest and uncertified farms (14.3% of the sample). The remaining four clusters comprised certified farms, but with different farm structural and commercial characteristics. Cluster II (15.1%) was composed of farms located further from market connections. Cluster III (23.9%) comprised farms with the highest number of fruit species, and consequently, more diversified in fruit production. Cluster IV (8.8%) was the smallest group, and comprised the largest firms. Finally, Cluster V (37.8%) was composed of highly specialized fruit farms, with the highest proportion of hectares dedicated to the production of a single fruit species. The results show the heterogeneity among fresh fruit farms and support the need for differentiated incentives and technological transfer schemes from the public sector and fruit companies in order to successfully keep farmers within export supply chains

Salbutamol Inhalador, ¿Uso o abuso en la atención primaria?

Bronchial obstruction is a frequent clinical challenge during winter season. It is characterized by cough of variable intensity. modérate fe ver, fast breathing, wheezes, respiratory difficulty and failure to feed. Treatrneru is based on correcting hipoxemia, relieving bronchial obstruction and releasing the child home with instructions for using salbutarnol inhaler (~-2 agonist), a key medication in the treatment of reversible bronchial obstruction. There have been found severa! mistakes on its use and following prescription, but there has not been an evaluation done about the non specialized medica! personnel rol! on these indications (dosage, length of treatrnent). Since salbutamol is nota harmless medication, and the restricted availability in primary attention, we decided to analyze prescriptions of its use by nonspecialist clinicians in a primary attention clinic. Methods. We developed a descriptive, retrospective research based on prescriptions of salbutamol inhaler along morbidity visits in Esmeralda Clinic in the Metropolitan Region during May - June 200 l. We analyzed different variables such as age. sex, clinical history. physical examination, diagnosis, and salbutamol inhaler dosages in 90 patients. kept in an Excel® database. Results. The group that received the largest indications of inhalers were children under 2 years old (51.2%) followed by the group of children between 2 and 4 Yi years old ( 18.4% ). The concordance among clinical history, physical examination and diagnosis was greater in the group younger than 2 years old. Dosage analysis showed a great variety of indications on daily dosages and number of days of treatment being 2 puffs qid for 5 days the most frequently prescribed. Conclusions. There is no uniformness among salbutamol prescription in acute obstructive episodes, nor diagnostic or treatment concordance managed by general medica! personnel, thereby suggesting that this medication is not being well prescribed in primary attention.Bronchial obstruction is a frequent clinical challenge during winter season. It is characterized by cough of variable intensity. modérate fe ver, fast breathing, wheezes, respiratory difficulty and failure to feed. Treatrneru is based on correcting hipoxemia, relieving bronchial obstruction and releasing the child home with instructions for using salbutarnol inhaler (~-2 agonist), a key medication in the treatment of reversible bronchial obstruction. There have been found severa! mistakes on its use and following prescription, but there has not been an evaluation done about the non specialized medica! personnel rol! on these indications (dosage, length of treatrnent). Since salbutamol is nota harmless medication, and the restricted availability in primary attention, we decided to analyze prescriptions of its use by nonspecialist clinicians in a primary attention clinic. Methods. We developed a descriptive, retrospective research based on prescriptions of salbutamol inhaler along morbidity visits in Esmeralda Clinic in the Metropolitan Region during May - June 200 l. We analyzed different variables such as age. sex, clinical history. physical examination, diagnosis, and salbutamol inhaler dosages in 90 patients. kept in an Excel® database. Results. The group that received the largest indications of inhalers were children under 2 years old (51.2%) followed by the group of children between 2 and 4 Yi years old ( 18.4% ). The concordance among clinical history, physical examination and diagnosis was greater in the group younger than 2 years old. Dosage analysis showed a great variety of indications on daily dosages and number of days of treatment being 2 puffs qid for 5 days the most frequently prescribed. Conclusions. There is no uniformness among salbutamol prescription in acute obstructive episodes, nor diagnostic or treatment concordance managed by general medica! personnel, thereby suggesting that this medication is not being well prescribed in primary attention