Obesity and Physical Activity Variance by Income and Ethnicity in Kansas City

Purpose: Although obesity and physical activity prevalence systematically vary by income and ethnicity, it is unclear how well census data represent actual conditions. Using data from the Kansas City Built Environment and Health Study, we examined whether differences in measured obesity prevalence and self-reported physical activity would systematically vary by both census block group median income and percent ethnic minority and self-reported income and ethnicity. Methods: Participants included 586 adults; average age 45±14.7. Most participants were female (69.8%), married (51.5%), had some college or more (72.7%) and had incomes ≤$60,000 (54.6%). Households were solicited from 21 census block groups, stratified by household income and percent ethnic minority across the Kansas City Metropolitan area. After obtaining informed consent, trained data collectors conducted 60-minute interviews. Physical activity was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Height was measured with a portable stadiometer and weight and percent body fat (%BF) percentages were measured using a Tanita scale. Results: Using calculated BMI data, 33.3% were obese; 55.8% were obese when using %BF. Comparison by census block group showed significantly lower obesity rates (BMI) for the highest income tertile (p=.01) and the lower ethnic minority tertile (p=.009 BMI; p\u3c.001 %BF). Self-reported ethnicity data showed significantly higher obesity rates for both African Americans and American Indians (p=.001 BMI; p\u3c.001 %BF). Overall, physical activity levels were low, with only 19.1% (n=112) meeting walking, 9.4% (n=55) meeting moderate (both 150+minutes/week), and 24.7% (n=145) meeting vigorous recommendations (75+minutes/week). Both census and self-reported income were positively correlated with meeting walking recommendations (p\u3c.01) and meeting vigorous activity recommendations (p\u3c.05 and p\u3c.05, respectively). Meeting vigorous activity recommendations was significantly more likely for those in the lower ethnic minority tertile (p=.04). Conclusions: We found systematic variation across income and ethnicity for both obesity and physical activity, with worse rates for lower income individuals, Blacks and American Indians. BMI may have underestimated obesity prevalence. Future research should determine related environmental correlates

Computational Skills in Solving Application Problems Involving Basic Differentiation Rules in Differential Calculus: An Explanatory Sequential Study

This study aimed to identify the level of computational skills and the challenges of students in solving application problems using basic differentiation rules in differential calculus. This study employed a mixed method explanatory-sequential design, which involves collecting and analyzing quantitative data first, followed by the collection and analysis of qualitative data. In the quantitative phase of this research, a simple random sampling method was utilized to administer a modified questionnaire (problem-solving examination type) to 50 calculus students. In the qualitative phase, purposive sampling was used to administer semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDIs) to a sample of 6 participants. Mean and thematic analysis with document analysis were utilized to examine the information that helped researchers identify problem about the subject matter. The study shows an overall high level of computational skills in basic differentiation, which means that the computational skills of students are often manifested. However, the computational skills of students in differential calculus in terms of chain rule are low, which is interpreted as rarely manifested. With this, this research had undergone an in-depth analysis of the challenges of the students in solving application problems using chain rule. The results reveal 3 challenges why the students’ computational skills in terms of the chain rule are low: the complexity of the composition of the chain rule, a lack of practice and exposure in using the chain rule, and uncertainty regarding its application. Effective teaching strategies are essential for breaking down complex concepts and enhancing students' computational skills in basic differentiation rules in calculus.&nbsp

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

pertormance monitor

The POWERS ” performance monitor (“monitor”) provides the detailed hardware measurements necessary to study the hardwarehobare interactions of workloads executed by the POWER2 processor. The monitor is integrated into the processor and is fully software accessible. Of interest is the ability of this monitor to selectively measure specific software processes with minimal perturbation of those processes

The effect of shift rotation on employee cortisol profile, sleep quality, fatigue, and attention level: A systematic review

Background: Disrupted circadian rhythm, especially working night duty together with irregular sleep patterns, sleep deprivation, and fatigue, creates an occupational health risk associated with diminished vigilance and work performance. Purpose: This study reviewed the effect of shift rotations on employee cortisol profile, sleep quality, fatigue, and attention level. Methods: Researchers conducted a systematic review of relevant articles published between 1996 and 2008 that were listed on the following databases: SCOPUS, OVID, Blackwell Science, EBSCO Host, PsycINFO, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and CEPS. A total of 28 articles were included in the review. Results: Previous research into the effects of shift work on cortisol profiles, sleep quality, fatigue, and attention used data assessed at evidence Levels II to IV. Our systematic review confirmed a conflict between sleep-wake cycle and light-dark cycle in night work. Consequences of circadian rhythm disturbance include disruption of sleep, decreased vigilance, general feeling of malaise, and decreased mental efficiency. Shift workers who sleep during the day (day sleepers) experience cortisol secretion increases, which diminish the healing power of sleep and enjoy 1 to 4 hours less sleep on average than night sleepers. Sleep debt accumulation results in chronic fatigue. Prolonged fatigue and inadequate recovery result in decreased work performance and more incidents. Rotation from day shift to night shift and its effect on shift workers was a special focus of the articles retained for review. Conclusions: Disturbed circadian rhythm in humans has been associated with a variety of mental and physical disorders and may negatively impact on work safety, performance, and productivity

An Nasc idir an teanga agus an pobal i gCorca Dhuibhne - The intersection of language and community in Corca Dhuibhne

This project used qualitative and ethnographic methods to gain a deeper understanding of the trajectory of a community-level language planning agency in Ireland—Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne (OChD)—and how it has responded, and continues to respond, to an evolving social, political, and economic landscape in a Gaeltacht area. In doing so, the project has helped us gain a deeper understanding of the role that community-level language planning initiatives play in cultural and linguistic maintenance, which in turn allows us to effectively target key areas for further development. The project consisted of three main work components, each of which focused on a specific area of language revitalization: 1) families, as a lens to examining intergenerational language transmission and language attitudes, 2) how OChD’s mosaic of initiatives complement each other strategically, 3) “new speakers” of the language. Cumulatively, the knowledge gained will lead to the design of a targeted language planning initiative, which is intended to benefit not only the Corca Dhuibhne community, but to be adapted as a template for endangered language communities worldwide