Developing a Science Gateway for Physical Activity Lifelong Modelling & Simulation

There are major health concerns that relate to the lack of physical activity in a general population. In the UK, a major study has been carried out that brought together health assessment audits across a range of health conditions influenced by physical activity (cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal conditions, mental health, etc.) This was used to create PALMS (Physical Activity Lifelong Modelling & Simulation). PALMS is a microsimulation that predicts the lifelong physical activity behaviour of a population taking into account individual characteristics and their effect on physical activity over time. The model produces individual and aggregated quantitative outputs for quality of life and health conditions related costs. Thus, PALMS can be used to assess the impact of physical activity on the aforementioned health conditions across the population

The demand for sports and exercise: Results from an illustrative survey

Funding from the Department of Health policy research programme was used in this study.There is a paucity of empirical evidence on the extent to which price and perceived benefits affect the level of participation in sports and exercise. Using an illustrative sample of 60 adults at Brunel University, West London, we investigate the determinants of demand for sports and exercise. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews that covered indicators of sports and exercise behaviour; money/time price and perceived benefits of participation; and socio- economic/demographic details. Count, linear and probit regression models were fitted as appropriate. Seventy eight per cent of the sample participated in sports and exercise and spent an average of £27 per month and an average of 20 min travelling per occasion of sports and exercise. The demand for sport and exercise was negatively associated with time (travel or access time) and ‘variable’ price and positively correlated with ‘fixed’ price. Demand was price inelastic, except in the case of meeting the UK government’s recommended level of participation, which is time price elastic (elasticity = −2.2). The implications of data from a larger nationally representative sample as well as the role of economic incentives in influencing uptake of sports and exercise are discussed.This article is available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund

Evaluation of the North West London Diabetes Foot Care Transformation Project: a mixed-methods evaluation

Introduction: Diabetes foot ulceration (DFU) presents an enormous burden to those living with diabetes and to the local health systems and economies. There is an increasing interest in implementing integrated care models to enhance the quality of care for people living with diabetes and related complications and the value of co-production approaches to achieve sustainable change. This paper aims to describe the evaluation methodology for the North West London (NWL) Diabetes Foot Care Transformation project. Description: A mixed methods design including: i) a quasi-experimental quantitative analysis assessing the impact of the implementation of the local secondary care multi-disciplinary diabetes foot team clinics on service utilisation and clinical outcomes (amputations and number of healed patients); ii) a phenomenological, qualitative study to explore patient and staff experience; and iii) a within-trial cost-effectiveness analysis (pre and post 2017) to evaluate the programme cost-effectiveness. Discussion and Conclusion: Demonstrating the impact of multidisciplinary, integrated care models and the value of co-production approaches is important for health providers and commissioners trying to improve health outcome. Evaluation is also needed to identify strategies to overcome barriers which might have reduced the impact of the programme and key elements for improvement

Psychological distress and quality of life in asymptomatic adults following provision of imaging results for prevention of cardiovascular disease events: a scoping review

Aims: Psychological distress and changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) may occur after screening for disease. Reporting outcomes related to potential benefits and harms of screening is a key recommendation in the guidelines for reporting high-quality trials or interventions. However, no reviews have directly investigated outcomes related to psychological distress and/or changes in HRQoL following imaging assessment of cardiovascular risk and communication of cardiovascular findings to asymptomatic adults. A scoping review was conducted to map research on psychological distress and/or HRQoL following screening. Methods and results: Six electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Social Work Abstracts, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, CINAHL, and EMBASE) were searched for articles that assessed psychological distress and/or HRQoL following screening. Two investigators independently screened titles and abstracts for all records retrieved using predefined criteria. Studies were conducted among active smokers, military personnel, athletes, post-menopausal women, and high-risk individuals. Seven constructs related to psychological distress and HRQoL appeared across 11 articles (randomized controlled trials, n = 4 and non-randomized studies, n = 7). Worry, depression, perceived stress, anxiety, and quality of life were most prominent. Multiple-item measures of psychological distress (e.g. Taylor Anxiety Score and Beck Depression Inventory) were used in 5/9 (56%) studies. Key findings on psychological distress and/or changes in HRQoL following screening were mixed. Conclusions: Findings support the need for multiple-item measures with better psychometric properties to examine the psychological responses to screening results in future studies. Strategies to support individuals during and following vascular screening to maximise potential benefits of screening and minimize harms are discussed

Psychological distress and quality of life in asymptomatic adults following provision of imaging results for prevention of cardiovascular disease events: A scoping review

Aims Psychological distress and changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) may occur after screening for disease. Reporting outcomes related to potential benefits and harms of screening is a key recommendation in the guidelines for reporting high-quality trials or interventions. However, no reviews have directly investigated outcomes related to psychological distress and/or changes in HRQoL following imaging assessment of cardiovascular risk and communication of cardiovascular findings to asymptomatic adults. A scoping review was conducted to map research on psychological distress and/or HRQoL following screening. Methods and results Six electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Social Work Abstracts, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, CINAHL, and EMBASE) were searched for articles that assessed psychological distress and/or HRQoL following screening. Two investigators independently screened titles and abstracts for all records retrieved using predefined criteria. Studies were conducted among active smokers, military personnel, athletes, post-menopausal women, and high-risk individuals. Seven constructs related to psychological distress and HRQoL appeared across 11 articles (randomized controlled trials, n = 4 and non-randomized studies, n = 7). Worry, depression, perceived stress, anxiety, and quality of life were most prominent. Multiple-item measures of psychological distress (e.g. Taylor Anxiety Score and Beck Depression Inventory) were used in 5/9 (56%) studies. Key findings on psychological distress and/or changes in HRQoL following screening were mixed. Conclusions Findings support the need for multiple-item measures with better psychometric properties to examine the psychological responses to screening results in future studies. Strategies to support individuals during and following vascular screening to maximise potential benefits of screening and minimize harms are discussed

Physical activity and health related quality of life

Copyright @ 2012 Anokye et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.BACKGROUND: Research on the relationship between Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and physical activity (PA), to date, have rarely investigated how this relationship differ across objective and subjective measures of PA. The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between HRQoL and PA, and examine how this relationship differs across objective and subjective measures of PA, within the context of a large representative national survey from England. METHODS: Using a sample of 5,537 adults (40–60 years) from a representative national survey in England (Health Survey for England 2008), Tobit regressions with upper censoring was employed to model the association between HRQoL and objective, and subjective measures of PA controlling for potential confounders. We tested the robustness of this relationship across specific types of PA. HRQoL was assessed using the summary measure of health state utility value derived from the EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) whilst PA was assessed via subjective measure (questionnaire) and objective measure (accelerometer- actigraph model GT1M). The actigraph was worn (at the waist) for 7 days (during waking hours) by a randomly selected sub-sample of the HSE 2008 respondents (4,507 adults – 16 plus years), with a valid day constituting 10 hours. Analysis was conducted in 2010. RESULTS: Findings suggest that higher levels of PA are associated with better HRQoL (regression coefficient: 0.026 to 0.072). This relationship is consistent across different measures and types of PA although differences in the magnitude of HRQoL benefit associated with objective and subjective (regression coefficient: 0.047) measures of PA are noticeable, with the former measure being associated with a relatively better HRQoL (regression coefficient: 0.072). CONCLUSION: Higher levels of PA are associated with better HRQoL. Using an objective measure of PA compared with subjective shows a relatively better HRQoL.This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme (project number 08/72/01)

PACE-UP (Pedometer and consultation evaluation--UP)--a pedometer-based walking intervention with and without practice nurse support in primary care patients aged 45-75 years: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Most adults do not achieve the 150 minutes weekly of at least moderate intensity activity recommended for health. Adults' most common physical activity (PA) is walking, light intensity if strolling, moderate if brisker. Pedometers can increase walking; however, most trials have been short-term, have combined pedometer and support effects, and have not reported PA intensity. This trial will investigate whether pedometers, with or without nurse support, can help less active 45-75 year olds to increase their PA over 12 months. METHODS/DESIGN: DESIGN: Primary care-based 3-arm randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up and health economic and qualitative evaluations. PARTICIPANTS: Less active 45-75 year olds (n = 993) will be recruited by post from six South West London general practices, maximum of two per household and households randomised into three groups. Step-count and time spent at different PA intensities will be assessed for 7 days at baseline, 3 and 12 months by accelerometer. Questionnaires and anthropometric assessments will be completed. INTERVENTION: The pedometer-alone group will be posted a pedometer (Yamax Digi-Walker SW-200), handbook and diary detailing a 12-week pedometer-based walking programme, using targets from their baseline assessment. The pedometer-plus-support group will additionally receive three practice nurse PA consultations. The handbook, diary and consultations include behaviour change techniques (e.g., self-monitoring, goal-setting, relapse prevention planning). The control group will receive usual care. OUTCOMES: Changes in average daily step-count (primary outcome), time spent sedentary and in at least moderate intensity PA weekly at 12 months, measured by accelerometry. Other outcomes include change in body mass index, body fat, self-reported PA, quality of life, mood and adverse events. Cost-effectiveness will be assessed by the incremental cost of the intervention to the National Health Service and incremental cost per change in step-count and per quality adjusted life year. Qualitative evaluations will explore reasons for trial non-participation and the interventions' acceptability. DISCUSSION: The PACE-UP trial will determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a pedometer-based walking intervention delivered by post or practice nurse to less active primary care patients aged 45-75 years old. Approaches to minimise bias and challenges anticipated in delivery will be discussed

Genetic diversity and population structure of Peronosclerospora sorghi isolates of Sorghum in Uganda

Sorghum is the third most important staple cereal crop in Uganda after maize and millet. Downy mildew disease is one of the most devastating fungal diseases which limits the production and productivity of the crop. The disease is caused by an obligate fungus, Peronosclerospora sorghi (Weston & Uppal) with varying symptoms. Information on the genetic diversity and population structure of P.sorghi in sorghum is imperative for the screening and selection for resistant genotypes and further monitoring possible mutant(s) of the pathogen. Isolates of P. sorghi infecting sorghum are difficult to discriminate when morphological descriptors are used. The use of molecular markers is efficient, and reliably precised for characterizing P. sorghi isolates. This study was undertaken to assess the level of genetic diversity and population structure that exist in P. sorghi isolates in Uganda. A total of 195 P. sorghi isolates, sampled from 13 different geographic populations from 10 different regions (agro-ecological zones) was used. Eleven (11) molecular markers, comprising of four Random amplified microsatellite (RAM) and seven (7) Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers were used in this study. The analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) based on 11 microsatellite markers showed significant (P < 0.001) intra-population (88.9 %, PhiPT = 0.111) and inter-population (8.4 %, PhiPR = 0.083) genetic variation, while the genetic variation among regions (2.7 %, PhiRT = 0.022) was not significant. The highest genetic similarity value (0.987 = 98.7 %) was recorded between Pader and Lira populations and the lowest genetic similarity (0.913 = 91.3 %) was observed between Namutumba and Arua populations. The mean Nei's genetic diversity index (H) and Shannon Information Index (I) were 0.308 and 0.471 respectively. Seven distinct cluster groups were formed from the 195 P. sorghi isolates based on their genetic similarity. Mantel test revealed no association between genetic differentiation and geographical distance (R2 = 0.0026, p = 0.02) within the 13 geographic populations

MAPPING FIRE SEVERITY FROM RECENT CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES USING SATELLITE IMAGERY

Urban sprawl has become a huge concern for cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago in recent years. As urban sprawl pushes urbanization into city suburbs and outskirts, forest fragmentation becomes evidently prevalent and exposes forests to high temperatures, pollution, pests, and fires that threaten forest health. A 2021 report titled Rebuilding for a Resilient Recovery affirmed that the frequency and damage potential of wildfires have been exacerbated by climate change and urban sprawl especially in California. Globally, these fires can be attributed to both natural and anthropogenic drivers such as deforestation, agriculture, mining, and industrialization. Future projections predict that these incidences of fires will only worsen as the planet continues to warm further, with emphasis on the spread and intensities of the annual California wildfires over the decade. Quantifying the consequences of these fires on global climate change has become crucial and with the emergence of advanced GIS mapping tools, focus, visualization, and interpretation of fire and burn severity has become easier. However, knowledge and understanding of wildfire dynamics is limited especially in terms of fuel load, impacts on vegetation health, aerosol release and associated movement in the atmosphere. It is therefore important to address these gaps to make better and informed actions towards forest use, protection, management, and policies and broadly towards ambitious climate goals such as the UN’s Carbon Neutral goal by 2050. This study uses Sentinel 2A data from the Copernicus fleet between 2018 and 2022 to identify and assess the burn severity of affected areas in Sonoma County, California. The aim of the study is to understand the impacts of fires of fire on vegetation health and the post-fire recovery process. The Normalized Burn Ration Index (NBRI) was used to identify and measure the extent of the burnt areas within the county and their severity and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used as a measure of forest heath. The results show that Sonoma County has become a high burn severity area with a major decrease in unburned areas between 2018 and 2022. NDVI values recorded all decrease from January to December for all the years because of pre-fire season drought. The wildfire season begins in May and before then there are seasonal droughts that occur hence accounting for the initial decline in NDVI. The least values recorded were between 0.5 and 0.57 for September, indicating sparse and unhealthy vegetation because of sharp declines during the fire season

ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF SEA LEVEL RISE ON COASTAL FLOODING AND SHORELINE CHANGES ALONG THE COAST OF LOUISIANA USING REMOTE SENSORY IMAGERY

Sea level rise poses risks to coastal areas which is increasingly rendering such areas susceptible to flood and shoreline retreat. Notably, coastal areas like Southern Louisiana located along the Gulf of Mexico has experienced endangering events of land subsidence due to flood inundations resulting from incessant distribution of hurricanes and tropical storms. This research therefore employed remote sensing data to analyze the impacts of sea level rise on coastal flooding and shoreline retreat along the coast of Louisiana. That is, by assessing Sentinel-2 imagery data to evaluate flood prone and flood extent areas particularly during the Louisiana floods and Hurricane Harvey. Based on this, the results show most of the inland parishes in coastal Louisiana such as Assumption, St. James, Livingston, Lafourche and Terrebonne were within high flood risk zones of about 9.3. These parishes also suffered severe damage in terms of affected croplands, potentially flooded areas and affected urban areas. On the other hand, most of the parishes in close proximity to the waterbodies such as the Gulf of Mexico were interestingly within low flood risk zones of about 6.1 suggesting proximity to waterbodies not being the only indicating factor of a flood prone area. This research also highlights that Louisiana's shorelines are rapidly receding at a rate that could result in the loss of one million acres of the state’s land in the next four decades. Hence, the results from this research are anticipated to contribute to sustainable shoreline setback plans and mitigative strategies to protect Louisiana's coast