Real-time Inpatients Risk Profiling in Acute Care: A Comparative Study of Falls and Pressure Injuries Vulnerabilities

To effectively manage patients of different vulnerabilities to falls and pressure injury entails understanding the risk drivers and predicting risk profiles in real-time, thus, we determined the core drivers of patients’ proneness to these risks while developing a machine learning strategy for their real-time prediction in acute care hospital. By implementing a multivariate logistic analysis, the risk drivers and injury risk probabilities were obtained while establishing a comparative machine learning technique for patients’ risk-profiling. We observed Multi sclerosis & motor neuron disease (MSN) and Fall during current admission (FDA) as pronounced risk drivers, and Extra Tree Classifier (ETC) and Random Forest (RF) as the best algorithms with prediction accuracy of 90.6% - 99.8%. With a cost saving of 2.3% - 38.89%, our framework will provide an efficient technique for cost-effective management of inpatients susceptible to falls and pressure injury risks on admission

Sam\u27s Laugh / words by Ed O\u27Connor

Cover: drawing of a portly African American male engaged in a hearty laugh; description reads characteristic march and two-step; Publisher: Chas I. Davis Music Publisher (Detroit)https://egrove.olemiss.edu/sharris_b/1071/thumbnail.jp

Effect of muscle type and CO-pretreatment combinations on the colour stability, protein oxidation and shelf-life of vacuum packaged beef steaks

This study investigated the effects of CO-pretreatments on three bovine muscles: Psoas major (PM), Gluteus medius (GM) and Semitendinosus (ST) on colour stability and quality attributes under anaerobic conditions. Steaks were exposed to one of four pretreatments: 1% CO for 5 h, 5% CO for 5 h, 1% CO for 24 h, with 60% CO2, (balance N2) or untreated (control) and then vacuum packaged and displayed (28 days at 2 °C). CO pretreatments improved redness for colour labile muscles (PM and GM). The optimum CO pretreatment was 1% for 5 h as this induced surface redness while discolouring (a* = 12, C* = 16) by the use-by-date (28 days). CO pretreatments decreased protein oxidation (P \u3c 0.01), and had no negative effect on pH and spoilage bacteria (P \u3e 0.05). Applying a 1% CO pretreatment for 5 h effectively enhanced the colour of various muscles while not masking spoilage thus addressing consumer concerns

The application of carbon monoxide in meat packaging needs to be re-evaluated within the EU: An overview

Carbon monoxide (CO) has many value-added benefits in meat packaging due to its colour stabilising effects and enhancement of meat quality attributes. The regulation of CO within meat packaging varies worldwide and remains a topical and controversial issue. CO is prohibited in the EU for use in meat packaging mainly due to fears it may mask spoilage therefore misleading consumers. The issue of consumer acceptance of CO was not considered. This article reviews the most pertinent literature to assess if the problems associated with the prohibition have been addressed. Applying CO pretreatments prior to vacuum packaging enhances colour while allowing discolouration to occur by the use-by-date, thereby addressing concerns about safety. Recent work showing European consumer acceptance of CO in meat packaging demonstrates its future potential within the EU. The information provided may support framing future policies intended to assure consumer protection, safety, choice and interest. Re-evaluation of permitting CO as a packaging gas within the EU may be warranted

The effect of carbon monoxide pretreatment exposure time on the colour stability and quality attributes of vacuum packaged beef steaks

The effect of 5% CO pretreatments prior to vacuum packaging of beef striploin steaks (Longissimus thoracis et lumborum, LTL) on quality attributes, primarily colour stability was investigated. The aim was to determine the optimum pretreatment that would induce the desirable red colour, while allowing discoloration to occur by the end of a 28-day display period (2°C), so as to not mask spoilage. A range of pretreatment exposure times (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 15 and 24h) were applied to steaks using a gas mixture of 5% CO, 60% CO2 and 35% N2. The 5h CO pretreatment exposure time achieved the desirable colour and discoloration reached unacceptable levels (a*=12, C*=16) by the use-by date (28days), thus ensuring consumers\u27 of a reliable visual indication of freshness and addressing concerns about safety. The 5% CO pretreatment had no negative effect on microbiological safety, lipid oxidation, cooking loss and WBSF measurements at the end of storage (P\u3e0.05)

Magnetic Characterization of Nanocrystalline Nickel Ferrite Films Processed by a Spin-Spraying Method

Highly crystalline nickel ferrite films with different chemical compositions were processed via the spin-spraying method and their morphological, structural and magnetic properties were subsequently investigated. Regardless of the chemical composition, films with variable thicknesses are constructed by 200–400 nm spherical grains grown in the direction normal to the substrate surface. Magnetization measurements show that the spinel ferrite films present a hysteretic behaviour at room temperature with a randomly oriented in-plane easy axis and an anisotropy constant K1 ≈ −2.5 × 104 erg cm−3 Furthermore, the absence of an angular dependence of the coercivity for the in-plane measurement of magnetization coupled with the ‘M’-shaped angular dependence of the out-of-plane measurement, indicates that the anisotropy of this film is predominantly crystalline shape anisotropy

The Effects of Varying Gas Concentrations and Exposure Times on Colour Stability and Shelf-Life of Vacuum Packaged Beef Steaks Subjected to Carbon Monoxide Pretreatment

There is an emerging demand for more value-added meat packaging technologies which enhance meat quality. Overall, colour is the most important quality trait judged at point of purchase as sensory traits cannot be physically assessed prior to consumption (Carpenter, Cornforth, & Whittier, 2001; Van Rooyen, Allen, Crawley, & O’Connor, 2017). Consumers use colour as an indicator of freshness and wholesomeness and this influences perceived meat quality (Carpenter et al., 2001; Issanchou, 1996), while discoloration is associated with unwholesomeness (Faustman & Cassens, 1990) and leads to economic losses (Kropf, Hunt, & Piske, 1986) and food waste. Packaging directly affects the colour and quality of meat (Bernués, Olaizola, & Corcoran, 2003) but high oxygen MAP which is widely used to enhance meat colour negatively affects tenderness (Clausen, 2004; Tørngren, 2003). Innovations in meat packaging which enhance colour coupled with increased tenderness would greatly assist the meat industry. Vacuum packaging permits prolonged storage in an anoxic environment favouring tenderness but has a negative effect on meat colour. Carbon monoxide (CO) applied as a pretreatment prior to vacuum packaging would enhance the colour and tenderness (Van Rooyen, Allen, Gallagher, & O’Connor, 2018). CO binds to myoglobin to form carboxymyoglobin and produces a much more stable cherry red colour compared to oxygen (oxymyoglobin) (El-Badawi, Cain, Samuels, & Anglemeier, 1964). Legislation on the use of CO in meat packaging varies globally. The EU prohibited the use of CO in meat packaging systems due to concerns it might be used to mislead consumers by presenting microbiologically spoiled meat with an attractive colour so that consumers may falsely perceive the meat as “fresh” since the colour is retained (European Commission, 2001). This would be a major consumer safety concern as safety is considered a prerequisite by consumers (Van Wezemael, Verbeke, Kügler, de Barcellos, & Grunert, 2010)

Identifying nutrient thresholds for sustainable local management of British Columbia seagrass beds

Canada has vast seagrass ecosystems, yet they are virtually unprotected and experiencing threats associated with accelerating coastal development and climate change eutrophication, sedimentation, and increased temperature. In British Columbia, there is a long history of community effort to protect seagrass, but little formal legislative action. While federal measures are progressing under the convention on biological diversity (CBD), federal efforts will often miss seagrass which occurs only at the coastal margins. Local action is necessary to protect seagrass, though this will be primarily occurring on a case-by-case basis as individual communities and municipalities act to limit or reduce seagrass-harming actions. We propose a bottom-up ecological approach rather than top-down, with the goal of linking predictors of Zostera bed health, with a focus on nutrient loading, to impacts on trophic use by invertebrates and fish. Most importantly, this information will be used directly to inform local communities and governments of the thresholds of nutrient loading at which these negative impacts may occur. Analysis of data from Boundary Bay (49.0352° N, 122.9400° W) will be a priority because of the network of organizations monitoring and working towards local advocacy. Multiple stressors are likely impacting eelgrass habitat of Boundary Bay, including storm-water discharges and agricultural runoff from three rivers discharging into the bay. However, the eelgrass bed in this estuary is still expansive and may provide the opportunity to identify areas of concern, link them to changes in Zostera bed community structure, and mitigate human inputs of nutrients before large scale loss is experienced. The information collected from this study are being used to inform management-driven assessments of eutrophication in coastal environments starting with Boundary Bay, and be used as restoration targets to reduce nutrient and other stressors that indicate a negative impact to Zostera and the invertebrate community

Psychometrics of the pre-schooler physical activity parenting practices instrument among a Latino sample

Background: Latino preschoolers (3-5 year old children) have among the highest rates of obesity. Low levels of physical activity (PA) are a risk factor for obesity. Characterizing what Latino parents do to encourage or discourage their preschooler to be physically active can help inform interventions to increase their PA. The objective was therefore to develop and assess the psychometrics of a new instrument: the Preschooler Physical Activity Parenting Practices (PPAPP) among a Latino sample, to assess parenting practices used to encourage or discourage PA among preschool-aged children. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 240 Latino parents who reported the frequency of using PA parenting practices. 95% of respondents were mothers; 42% had more than a high school education. Child mean age was 4.5 (±0.9) years (52% male). Test-retest reliability was assessed in 20%, 2 weeks later. We assessed the fit of a priori models using Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). In a separate sub-sample (35%), preschool-aged children wore accelerometers to assess associations with their PA and PPAPP subscales. Results: The a-priori models showed poor fit to the data. A modified factor structure for encouraging PPAPP had one multiple-item scale: engagement (15 items), and two single-items (have outdoor toys; not enroll in sport-reverse coded). The final factor structure for discouraging PPAPP had 4 subscales: promote inactive transport (3 items), promote screen time (3 items), psychological control (4 items) and restricting for safety (4 items). Test-retest reliability (ICC) for the two scales ranged from 0.56-0.85. Cronbach’s alphas ranged from 0.5-0.9. Several sub-factors correlated in the expected direction with children’s objectively measured PA. Conclusion: The final models for encouraging and discouraging PPAPP had moderate to good fit, with moderate to excellent test-retest reliabilities. The PPAPP should be further evaluated to better assess its associations with children’s PA and offers a new tool for measuring PPAPP among Latino families with preschool-aged children