The influence of user behaviour on energy use in old dwellings: case-study analysis of a social housing neighbourhood

Taking user behaviour into account to predict the real energy use and possible savings in houses, remains a challenge of huge importance for the Belgian social housing sector, which owns large buildings stocks in urgent need of refurbishment. Within this context, a case-study analysis was carried out on 36 (nearly) identical social houses from a single neighbourhood, dating from the sixties. Information on user behaviour, indoor air quality and thermal comfort was gathered both through in-situ measurements and through surveys of the inhabitants. Furthermore, air tightness and heat flux measurements aimed at increasing the accurate knowledge of the buildings’ characteristics and data on real energy use were gathered. This paper presents some findings from this case study, focusing on the energy use for heating. The huge differences in energy use observed between households on the one hand and between theoretic EPBD-calculations and real measurements on the other hand are investigated. The findings from the measurements and the surveys are implemented in an improved multi-zone quasi-steady state calculation code reaching much better correlations with the real energy figures. This illustrates the influence of some behavioural parameters and the usefulness of both sources of information: surveys and measurements. Remaining causes of discrepancies are further reported

Does sex of the jockey influence racehorse physiology and performance

The racing industry is supported by a predominance of female stablehands and work riders, but few become professional jockeys. Female jockeys have recently had notable race success. No study has assessed whether the sex of the rider may subtly influence racehorse physiology to affect performance. Here, using a validated exercise tracking system (the 'Equimetre'™) that records many physiological parameters simultaneously, this study characterised racehorse cardiovascular (heart rate, heart rate recovery) and biomechanical (stride length and frequency) parameters at various exercise intensities (slow canter to hard gallop) to address the question whether any parameter varied according to sex of the rider. A total of 530 Thoroughbreds, varying in age (2-7 years old) and sex (including geldings), from one racing yard in Australia, completed a total of 3,568 exercise sessions, monitored by a single trainer, on varying track surfaces (sand, turf, or fibre). Different work riders,103 in total (male, n = 66; female, n = 37) of which n = 43 were current or past registered professional jockeys, participated in the study. Data were analysed using analysis of variation (ANOVA) or mixed-effect models, as appropriate. Sex of the rider did not influence (P > 0.05) racehorse speed nor stride length at any training intensity. Racehorse heart rate and peak heart rate increased with training intensity (P 0.05). Racehorse heart rate recovery was influenced by sex of the rider, but only at the extremes of the reversed, usual training intensity on each surface (e.g. heart rate after galloping on sand was significantly lower with male riders, P = 0.03). Finally, analysis of 52,464 race results indicated a similar chance of a top-three placing for male and female jockeys. In conclusion, this study, using objectively obtained data, demonstrates for the first time no overt effect of the rider's sex on racehorse physiology in training and performance in racing. Such data could encourage greater female participation in racing and improve access of female jockeys to better quality mounts in racing events

Cardiovascular Fitness and Stride Acceleration in Race-Pace Workouts for the Prediction of Performance in Thoroughbreds

In-training racehorse physiological data can be leveraged to further explore race-day performance prediction. To date, no large retrospective, observational study has analysed whether in-training speed and heart rate recovery can predict racehorse success. Speed (categorised as ‘slow’ to ‘fast’ according to the time taken to cover the last 600 m from a virtual finish line) and heart rate recovery (from gallop to 1 min after exercise) of flat racehorses (n = 485) of varying age, sex and type according to distance (e.g., sprinter, miler and stayer) were obtained using a fitness tracker from a single racing yard in Australia. Race-pace training sessions on turf comprised ‘fast gallop’ (n = 3418 sessions) or ‘jumpout’ (n = 1419). A posteriori racing information (n = 3810 races) for all 485 racehorses was extracted and combined with training data. Race performance was categorised as win/not-win or podium or not, each analysed by logistic regression. Colts (p < 0.001), stayers (p < 0.001) and being relatively fast over the last 600 m of a benchmark test in training (p < 0.008) were all predictive of race performance. Heart rate recovery after exercise (p = 0.21) and speed recorded at 600 m of a 1 km benchmark test in training (p = 0.94) were not predictive. In-training physiological data analytics used along with subjective experience may help trainers identify promising horses and improve decision-making

Tubulin Tyrosination Is Required for the Proper Organization and Pathfinding of the Growth Cone

International audienceBACKGROUND: During development, neuronal growth cones integrate diffusible and contact guidance cues that are conveyed to both actin and microtubule (MT) cytoskeletons and ensure axon outgrowth and pathfinding. Although several post-translational modifications of tubulin have been identified and despite their strong conservation among species, their physiological roles during development, especially in the nervous sytem, are still poorly understood. METHODOLOGY/FINDINGS: Here, we have dissected the role of a post-translational modification of the last amino acid of the alpha-tubulin on axonal growth by analyzing the phenotype of precerebellar neurons in Tubulin tyrosin ligase knock-out mice (TTL(-/-)) through in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro analyses. TTL(-/-) neurons are devoid of tyrosinated tubulin. Their pathway shows defects in vivo, ex vivo, in hindbrains open-book preparations or in vitro, in a collagen matrix. Their axons still orient toward tropic cues, but they emit supernumerary branches and their growth cones are enlarged and exhibit an emission of mis-oriented filopodia. Further analysis of the TTL(-/-) growth cone intracellular organization also reveals that the respective localization of actin and MT filaments is disturbed, with a decrease in the distal accumulation of Myosin IIB, as well as a concomitant Rac1 over-activation in the hindbrain. Pharmacological inhibition of Rac1 over-activation in TTL(-/-) neurons can rescue Myosin IIB localization. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In the growth cone, we propose that tubulin tyrosination takes part in the relative arrangement of actin and MT cytoskeletons, in the regulation of small GTPases activity, and consequently, in the proper morphogenesis, organization and pathfinding of the growth cone during development

Profiling of Differentially Expressed Genes Using Suppression Subtractive Hybridization in an Equine Model of Chronic Asthma

Background :\ud Gene expression analyses are used to investigate signaling pathways involved in diseases. In asthma, they have been primarily derived from the analysis of bronchial biopsies harvested from mild to moderate asthmatic subjects and controls. Due to ethical considerations, there is currently limited information on the transcriptome profile of the peripheral lung tissues in asthma.\ud \ud Objective :\ud To identify genes contributing to chronic inflammation and remodeling in the peripheral lung tissue of horses with heaves, a naturally occurring asthma-like condition.\ud \ud Methods :\ud Eleven adult horses (6 heaves-affected and 5 controls) were studied while horses with heaves were in clinical remission (Pasture), and during disease exacerbation induced by a 30-day natural antigen challenge during stabling (Challenge). Large peripheral lung biopsies were obtained by thoracoscopy at both time points. Using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH), lung cDNAs of controls (Pasture and Challenge) and asymptomatic heaves-affected horses (Pasture) were subtracted from cDNAs of horses with heaves in clinical exacerbation (Challenge). The differential expression of selected genes of interest was confirmed using quantitative PCR assay.\ud \ud Results :\ud Horses with heaves, but not controls, developed airway obstruction when challenged. Nine hundred and fifty cDNA clones isolated from the subtracted library were screened by dot blot array and 224 of those showing the most marked expression differences were sequenced. The gene expression pattern was confirmed by quantitative PCR in 15 of 22 selected genes. Novel genes and genes with an already defined function in asthma were identified in the subtracted cDNA library. Genes of particular interest associated with asthmatic airway inflammation and remodeling included those related to PPP3CB/NFAT, RhoA, and LTB4/GPR44 signaling pathways.\ud \ud Conclusions :\ud Pathways representing new possible targets for anti-inflammatory and anti-remodeling therapies for asthma were identified. The findings of genes previously associated with asthma validate this equine model for gene expression studies

Physical performance in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

Severe aortic valve stenosis is a common heart valve disease that can be treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), which is the preferred treatment option for older and frailer patients. Physical performance is a crucial outcome for many of these patients. This thesis aimed to describe the physical performance, dietary intake, and physical activity of TAVI patients as a first step towards developing an intervention to enhance physical performance. The thesis findings indicate that, on average, most patients improve their physical performance after TAVI, but one in three patients experiences a clinically significant decline. Muscle strength also typically decreases in most patients after TAVI. Furthermore, pre-procedural low physical performance and muscle quality are independent predictors of mortality after TAVI. In the second part of the thesis, it was highlighted that most TAVI patients fail to meet the required protein intake, do not adhere to most dietary guidelines, and do not meet the guidelines for minimal required physical activity. Finally, the thesis examined the barriers and facilitators of behaviour change and found that many TAVI patients are ambivalent about changing their behaviour. Additionally, adherence to home-based cardiac rehabilitation among older patients was studied, and we observed adherence in two-thirds of these patients. In conclusion, the thesis emphasizes the need for interventions focused on protein intake, diet quality, and physical activity. The thesis proposes an intervention that should be tested for feasibility and effectiveness in future research

Physical performance in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

Severe aortic valve stenosis is a common heart valve disease that can be treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), which is the preferred treatment option for older and frailer patients. Physical performance is a crucial outcome for many of these patients. This thesis aimed to describe the physical performance, dietary intake, and physical activity of TAVI patients as a first step towards developing an intervention to enhance physical performance. The thesis findings indicate that, on average, most patients improve their physical performance after TAVI, but one in three patients experiences a clinically significant decline. Muscle strength also typically decreases in most patients after TAVI. Furthermore, pre-procedural low physical performance and muscle quality are independent predictors of mortality after TAVI. In the second part of the thesis, it was highlighted that most TAVI patients fail to meet the required protein intake, do not adhere to most dietary guidelines, and do not meet the guidelines for minimal required physical activity. Finally, the thesis examined the barriers and facilitators of behaviour change and found that many TAVI patients are ambivalent about changing their behaviour. Additionally, adherence to home-based cardiac rehabilitation among older patients was studied, and we observed adherence in two-thirds of these patients. In conclusion, the thesis emphasizes the need for interventions focused on protein intake, diet quality, and physical activity. The thesis proposes an intervention that should be tested for feasibility and effectiveness in future research

Bruit respiratoire et intolérance à l'effort: quel est votre diagnostic?

peer reviewe

Exploring barriers and facilitators of behavioural changes in dietary intake and physical activity: a qualitative study in older adults undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

The majority of older patients, scheduled for a cardiac procedure, do not adhere to international dietary intake and physical activity guidelines. The purpose of this study was to explore barriers and facilitators regarding dietary intake and physical activity behaviour change in older patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).  This respitory contains interviews (in dutch) conducted for the study: "Exploring barriers and facilitators of behavioural changes in dietary intake and physical activity: a qualitative study in older adults undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation." DOI: 10.1007/s41999-023-00774-1 Because of the sensitive nature of the data, the data is confidential and will be shared only under strict conditions. For more information contact: Dennis van Erck, [email protected], Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. </p