Promoting Physical Activity in People Who Have a Long-Standing Spinal Cord Injury

The main objective of the study described in this thesis was to examine the effectiveness of a 16-week self-management intervention –called HABITS- in changing the level of physical activity of people who have lived with a spinal cord injury for a long time. We also examined whether the self-management intervention contributed to an improvement in the level of exercise behaviour of the participants and whether it resulted in an improvement in their self-management skills. We have performed a randomized controlled trial. This study showed no diffences between the intervention (HABITS) and the control group. In addition, the study tested the validity of a newly developed device for appropriately measuring the physical activity of the participants; this was based on an activity monitor that measured their self-propelled wheelchair driving. This study showed high validity results. The main research of this thesis was based on a theoretical model of the relationship between self-management skills and physical activity. This model was based on two behavioural change theories: the transtheoretical model of behavioural change and the theory of planned behaviour. A further aspect of the study, therefore, was to investigate the relationship between self-efficacy and physical activity, testing the hypothesis that, among people with a long-standing spinal cord injury, those who have a higher level of self-efficacy level have higher activity levels. We have confirmed this hypotheses

Canopy uptake dominates nighttime carbonyl sulfide fluxes in a boreal forest

Nighttime vegetative uptake of carbonyl sulfide (COS) can exist due to the incomplete closure of stomata and the light independence of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, which complicates the use of COS as a tracer for gross primary productivity (GPP). In this study we derived nighttime COS fluxes in a boreal forest (the SMEAR II station in Hyytiälä, Finland; 61°51′ N, 24°17′ E; 181 m a.s.l.) from June to November 2015 using two different methods: eddy-covariance (EC) measurements (FCOS-EC) and the radon-tracer method (FCOS-Rn). The total nighttime COS fluxes averaged over the whole measurement period were −6.8 ± 2.2 and −7.9 ± 3.8 pmol m−2 s−1 for FCOS-Rn and FCOS-EC, respectively, which is 33–38 % of the average daytime fluxes and 21 % of the total daily COS uptake. The correlation of 222Rn (of which the source is the soil) with COS (average R2  =  0.58) was lower than with CO2 (0.70), suggesting that the main sink of COS is not located at the ground. These observations are supported by soil chamber measurements that show that soil contributes to only 34–40 % of the total nighttime COS uptake. We found a decrease in COS uptake with decreasing nighttime stomatal conductance and increasing vapor-pressure deficit and air temperature, driven by stomatal closure in response to a warm and dry period in August. We also discuss the effect that canopy layer mixing can have on the radon-tracer method and the sensitivity of (FCOS-EC) to atmospheric turbulence. Our results suggest that the nighttime uptake of COS is mainly driven by the tree foliage and is significant in a boreal forest, such that it needs to be taken into account when using COS as a tracer for GPP

Bandkeramische nederzetting, IJzertijdsporen en een Romeins crematiegrafveld op het Janskamperveld te Geleen

Prehistory of Nortwestern Europ

Sources and sinks of carbonyl sulfide inferred from tower and mobile atmospheric observations in the Netherlands

Carbonyl sulfide (COS) is a promising tracer for the estimation of terrestrial ecosystem gross primary production (GPP). However, understanding its non-GPP-related sources and sinks, e.g., anthropogenic sources and soil sources and sinks, is also critical to the success of the approach. Here we infer the regional sources and sinks of COS using continuous in situ mole fraction profile measurements of COS along the 60 m tall Lutjewad tower (1 m a.s.l.; 53∘24′ N, 6∘21′ E) in the Netherlands. To identify potential sources that caused the observed enhancements of COS mole fractions at Lutjewad, both discrete flask samples and in situ measurements in the province of Groningen were made from a mobile van using a quantum cascade laser spectrometer (QCLS). We also simulated the COS mole fractions at Lutjewad using the Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport (STILT) model combined with emission inventories and plant uptake fluxes. We determined the nighttime COS fluxes to be -3.0±2.6 pmol m−2 s−1 using the radon-tracer correlation approach and Lutjewad observations. Furthermore, we identified and quantified several COS sources, including biodigesters, sugar production facilities and silicon carbide production facilities in the province of Groningen. Moreover, the simulation results show that the observed COS enhancements can be partially explained by known industrial sources of COS and CS2, in particular from the Ruhr Valley (51.5∘ N, 7.2∘ E) and Antwerp (51.2∘ N, 4.4∘ E) areas. The contribution of likely missing anthropogenic sources of COS and CS2 in the inventory may be significant. The impact of the identified sources in the province of Groningen is estimated to be negligible in terms of the observed COS enhancements. However, in specific conditions, these sources may influence the measurements in Lutjewad. These results are valuable for improving our understanding of the sources and sinks of COS, contributing to the use of COS as a tracer for GPP.</p

The Activ8 activity monitor: Validation of posture and movement classification

Introduction: To set up and guide interventions with the aim to increase physical activity and lower sedentary behavior valid monitoring of physical behavior is essential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the single-uni

Effectiveness of a Self-Management Intervention to Promote an Active Lifestyle in Persons With Long-Term Spinal Cord Injury: The HABITS Randomized Clinical Trial

Background. Most people with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) have a very inactive lifestyle. Higher activity levels have been associated with health benefits and enhanced quality of life. Consequently, encouraging an active lifestyle is important and behavioral interventions are needed to establish durable lifestyle changes. Objective. The Healthy Active Behavioral Intervention in SCI (HABITS) study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured self-management intervention to promote an active lifestyle in inactive persons with long-term SCI. Methods. This assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted at 4 specialized SCI units in the Netherlands. Sixty-four individuals with long-term SCI (>10 years), wheelchair-user and physically inactive, were included. Participants were randomized to either a 16-week self-management intervention consisting of group meetings and individual counseling and a book, or to a control group that only received information about active lifestyle by one group meeting and a book. Measurements were performed at baseline, 16 weeks, and 42 weeks. Primary outcome measures were self-reported physical activity and minutes per day spent in wheelchair driving. Secondary outcomes included perceived behavioral control (exercise self-efficacy, proactive coping), stages of change concerning exercise, and attitude toward exercise. Results. Mixed models analyses adjusted for age, sex, level of SCI, time since injury, baseline body mass index, and location did not show significant differences between the intervention and control groups on the primary and secondary outcomes (P ≥.05). Conclusions. A structured 16-week self-management intervention was not effective to change behavior toward a more active lifestyle and to improve perceived behavioral control, stages of change, and attitude

Technological shocks mechanism on Macroeconomic Variables: A Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) approach.

As Ghana assumes a position of oil producer and middle-income country, it must learn to effectively deal with the related pressures from shocks. We analyze the effects of productivity shocks on Ghana’s total output using the multi-sector dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model. It was actualized that a productivity shock results in a temporary shrinkage in the final goods sectors due to the reallocation of labour from the final and intermediate goods sectors. We demonstrated that technological shock induces an initial fall in marginal cost of production but later rises to reach equilibrium

Long-Term Tubular Dysfunction in Childhood Cancer Survivors; DCCSS-LATER 2 Renal Study

Simple Summary We studied survivors of childhood cancer who received cancer treatment that might affect the kidneys and compared them to controls from the general population. We investigated if there was a difference in the occurrence of tubular dysfunction. The tubules are the part of the kidney responsible for reabsorption of needed substances to the blood and the removal of wastes. After around 25 years since their cancer diagnosis, we found that in general there were no differences between survivors and controls, but survivors more often had losses of small proteins in the urine. Yet, some survivors of childhood cancer were found to have an increased risk of tubular dysfunction. Namely, survivors treated with the chemotherapeutic agents ifosfamide, cisplatin or carboplatin. Therefore, these patients should be monitored during their follow-up. The aim of this nationwide cross-sectional cohort study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for tubular dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). In the DCCSS-LATER 2 Renal study, 1024 CCS (>= 5 years after diagnosis), aged >= 18 years at study, treated between 1963 and 2001 with potentially nephrotoxic therapy (i.e., nephrectomy, abdominal radiotherapy, total body irradiation, cisplatin, carboplatin, ifosfamide, high-dose cyclophosphamide, or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation) participated, and 500 age- and sex-matched participants from Lifelines acted as controls. Tubular electrolyte loss was defined as low serum levels (magnesium 1.7 mg/mmol was considered as low-molecular weight proteinuria (LMWP). Multivariable risk analyses were performed. After median 25.5 years follow-up, overall prevalence of electrolyte losses in CCS (magnesium 5.6%, potassium 4.5%, phosphate 5.5%) was not higher compared to controls. LMWP was more prevalent (CCS 20.1% versus controls 0.4%). LMWP and magnesium loss were associated with glomerular dysfunction. Ifosfamide was associated with potassium loss, phosphate loss (with cumulative dose > 42 g/m(2)) and LMWP. Cisplatin was associated with magnesium loss and a cumulative dose > 500 mg/m(2) with potassium and phosphate loss. Carboplatin cumulative dose > 2800 mg/m(2) was associated with potassium loss. In conclusion, long-term tubular dysfunction is infrequent. Yet, ifosfamide, cisplatin and carboplatin are risk factors

Which executive functioning deficits are associated with AD/HD, ODD/CD and comorbid AD/HD+ODD/CD?

Item does not contain fulltextThis study investigated (1) whether attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) is associated with executive functioning (EF) deficits while controlling for oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder (ODD/CD), (2) whether ODD/CD is associated with EF deficits while controlling for AD/HD, and (3)~whether a combination of AD/HD and ODD/CD is associated with EF deficits (and the possibility that there is no association between EF deficits and AD/HD or ODD/CD in isolation). Subjects were 99~children ages 6–12 years. Three putative domains of EF were investigated using well-validated tests: verbal fluency, working memory, and planning. Independent of ODD/CD, AD/HD was associated with deficits in planning and working memory, but not in verbal fluency. Only teacher rated AD/HD, but not parent rated AD/HD, significantly contributed to the prediction of EF task performance. No EF deficits were associated with ODD/CD. The presence of comorbid AD/HD accounts for the EF deficits in children with comorbid AD/HD+ODD/CD. These results suggest that EF deficits are unique to AD/HD and support the model proposed by R. A. Barkley (1997).17 p

Spatial and temporal patterns of surface-atmosphere energy exchange in a dense urban environment using scintillometry

Spatially-integrated measurements of the surface energy balance (SEB) are needed in urban areas to evaluate urban climate models and satellite observations. Scintillometers allow observations of sensible heat flux (QH) over much larger areas than techniques such as eddy covariance (EC), however methods are needed to partition between remaining unmeasured SEB terms. This is the first study to use observed spatial and temporal patterns of QH from a scintillometer network to constrain estimates of remaining SEB terms in a dense, heterogeneous urban environment. Results show that QH dominates the surface energy balance in central London throughout the year, with expected diurnal courses and seasonal trends in QH magnitude related to solar radiation input. Measurements also reveal a clear anthropogenic component of QH with winter (summer) weekday QH values 11.7% (5.1%) higher than weekends. Spatially, QH magnitude is correlated with vegetation and building land cover fraction in the measurement source areas. Spatial analysis provides additional evidence of anthropogenic influence with highest weekday/weekend ratios (1.55) from the City of London. Spatial differences are used to estimate horizontal advection and a novel method to estimate monthly latent heat flux is developed based on observed land cover and wet-dry surface variations in normalized QH. Annual anthropogenic heat emissions are estimated to be 46.3 W m−2 using an energy balance residual approach. The methods presented here have potential to significantly enhance understanding of urban areas, particularly in areas with tall buildings where there is little observational data