The effects of brain-friendly diet on cognitive performance (Brave study)

AbstractIntroduction:Cognitive performance is related to lipid and glucose metabolism and metabolic activation that are regulated by diet. The Brave study has shown beneficial effects of brain-friendly diet (Brainfood) on metabolic health in office workers with elevated metabolic risk. We further examined the effects of Brainfood on cognitive performance.Materials and methods:We conducted a diet-switch, 4-week intervention study on 84 volunteers with elevated plasma LDL levels in pre-screening. During the control period participants continued their habitual eating pattern and were offered an optional lunch following western-type diet, and they did not receive nutritional guidance. In Brainfood period, lunch, snack and breakfast offering was optimised for the quality of carbohydrates and fat and the intake of salt and protein. Educated nutritionist instructed the participants to follow the Brainfood diet and regular meal pattern.Participants kept a 3-day food record at the end of control and Brainfood periods. For each participant, we calculated the Brainfood ratio comparing the total frequencies of consumption of brain-friendly and brain-unfriendly foods. We ranked the subjects also according to the change in brain-friendly nutrient intake (saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, fibre, sugar and salt) from control to Brainfood period.Cognitive performance (cognitive control and flexibility, attention, inhibition, learning, and memory) were measured with a combination of traditional standardized neuropsychological tests (Bourdon-Wiersma double task, Stroop Colour and Word Test, WMS-III: Letter-Number Sequencing, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test) and modern computer and mobile tests (Flexible Attention Test FAT, N-Back task and Task-switching task) before and after the Brainfood diet. In addition, participants evaluated their vigilance, task load and performance after each test with the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) and NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX).We compared the change in cognitive performance before and after Brainfood diet between the subgroups with the highest and lowest Brainfood ratio and the highest and lowest brain-friendly nutrient intake using repeated measures analysis of variance.Results:Brainfood diet reduced intakes of saturated fat and salt, and increased intakes of polyunsaturated fat, fibre, vitamin C and D, iron and magnesium (p < 0,03). Participants with the highest Brainfood ratio improved reaction time (FAT; p-value for interaction 0,01, multiple comparison correction not applied), switch cost (Task-switching; p = 0,02) and inhibition tendency (Stroop; p = 0,047). Better dietary fat quality decreased self-reported physical strain (NASA-TLX; p-values < 0,007), and higher fibre intake decreased self-reported sleepiness (KSS; p = 0,033).Discussion:Brainfood diet may positively affect cognitive performance in office workers with elevated metabolic risk.

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Work Performance Measurement of Data Entry Employees in E-Commerce Industry Based on Mental Workload Value

ComTech Computer Mathematics and Engineering Applications ◽

10.21512/comtech.v10i2.5688 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Iwan Aang Soenandi

Keyword(s):

Work Performance ◽

Mental Workload ◽

Data Entry ◽

Time Measurement ◽

Task Load ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Before And After ◽

Reaction Time Measurement ◽

Nasa Tlx ◽

Electroencephalogram Eeg

This reseach aimed to measure the mental workload of data entry processing tasks in the e-commerce industry based on mental workload value. It was to determine the factors influencing mental workload mainly induced by the data entry process. The experiments without work instruction and with two types of work instruction were conducted to diagnose the mental workload. The measurement of the initial mental workload condition of data entry employees was conducted in the laboratory. Then, the Electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement using sensors from Emotiv was performed every 30 minutes, and the data of EEG measurements (focus, engagement, and stress) were collected using the laptop. Meanwhile, pulse measurement (heart rate) was measured before and after the work. Raw National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and reaction time measurement were conducted after the work. Through these experiments, the researchers identify that mental effort and fatigue are the significant determinants of mental workload value in the data entry process of the e-commerce industry. In respect of the results of work performance analysis, it is recommended that the placement of work instruction should be near the employee. Then, the task demand (minimum completion target) should be adjusted according to each employee’s capacity.

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Dietary intake and adequacy in Mexican preschool children: National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012

Nutrición Hospitalaria ◽

10.20960/nh.1843 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 35 (5) ◽

pp. 1186 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alejandra Jiménez-Aguilar ◽

Dinorah González Castell ◽

Mario Flores-Aldana ◽

Verónica Mundo-Rosas ◽

Sonia Hernández-Cordero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Health ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Nutrient Intake ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Polyunsaturated Fat ◽

Nutrition Survey ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Indigenous Children ◽

Daily Energy ◽

Preschool Aged Children

Objective: to estimate energy, nutrient intake and diet adequacy in preschool-aged children based on data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012.Material and methods: dietary data in children < 5 years (n = 1,212) collected through a Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SFFQ) were analyzed. Energy and daily nutrient intakes and adequacies were calculated comparing by sociodemographic characteristics.Results: median daily energy intake was 1,252 kcal (adequacy 104%). Adequacies above 100% were observed for calcium, zinc, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin A and median of saturated fat. Low percent adequacies were observed for fiber, iron, polyunsaturated fat and vitamin D. Intakes were lower in the southern region compared to other regions. Most intakes and adequacies were higher in urban compared to rural areas, but fiber had the opposite trend. Indigenous children had low intakes and percent adequacies.Conclusions: risks of dietary deficiencies and excess are present in Mexican preschool-aged children, with marked differences across sociodemographicstrata.

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Physiological and Cognitive Performance in F-22 Pilots During Day and Night Flying

Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance ◽

10.3357/amhp.5508.2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 92 (5) ◽

pp. 303-311

Author(s):

Elizabeth K. Combs ◽

Anna S. Dahlman ◽

Nita L. Shattuck ◽

Jennifer A. Heissel ◽

Lyn R. Whitaker

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Performance ◽

Stress Adaptation ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Aviation Accidents ◽

Sleep Quantity ◽

Task Load ◽

Scale Scores ◽

Nasa Tlx ◽

Cortisol Levels ◽

Time Accuracy

BACKGROUND: Many workers routinely transition between day and night shiftsincluding pilots, where night flights are commonly considered more stressful. The physiological toll from this transition is not fully understood, though fatigue is a factor in many aviation accidents. This research investigated the changes in physiological markers of stress and cognitive performance as F-22 pilots transitioned from day flying to night flying.METHODS: There were 17 fully-qualified F-22 pilots who took part in a 2-wk data collection using salivary swabs, wrist-worn activity monitors, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) inventory, and a go/no-go (GNG) test.RESULTS: No differences were found in comparing day and night flying on the GNG reaction time/accuracy, NASA-TLX scores, or sleep quantity. Cortisol levels were significantly higher than civilian levels in all experimental conditions and control days. Participants had higher than predicted cortisol levels postflight in the day-flying condition and lower than predicted cortisol levels postflight in the night-flying condition, relative to levels from control day patterns. We also found smaller changes in cortisol (pre- to postflight) in the day-flying condition for those with more F-22 experience. Finally, we found a negative correlation between Perceived Stress Scale scores and age of pilots (r 0.72).DISCUSSION: We hypothesized that the night-flying environment would be more stressful, but our results disputed this claim. Our results suggest day flying elicits more of a stress response; however, a larger sample size is required to verify results. Preliminary findings of potential stress adaptation may suggest stress adaptation in the F-22 community needs further investigation.Combs EK, Dahlman AS, Shattuck NL, Heissel JA, Whitaker LR. Physiological and cognitive performance in F-22 pilots during day and night flying. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(5):303311.

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Effects of isomaltulose and high amounts of PUFAs together with elevated physical activity on subjects with a moderate metabolic risk profile before and after a 6-weeks randomized lifestyle intervention trial

Diabetologie und Stoffwechsel ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1601782 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (S 01) ◽

pp. S1-S84

Author(s):

S Metz ◽

S Kabisch ◽

AFH Pfeiffer

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Lifestyle Intervention ◽

Risk Profile ◽

Metabolic Risk ◽

Intervention Trial ◽

Before And After

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An eye-tracking based robotic scrub nurse: proof of concept

Surgical Endoscopy ◽

10.1007/s00464-021-08569-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ahmed Ezzat ◽

Alexandros Kogkas ◽

Josephine Holt ◽

Rudrik Thakkar ◽

Ara Darzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eye Tracking ◽

Technology Acceptance ◽

Operating Time ◽

Human Robot Interaction ◽

Motion Sensors ◽

Scrub Nurse ◽

Task Load ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Nasa Tlx ◽

Robotic Devices

Abstract Background Within surgery, assistive robotic devices (ARD) have reported improved patient outcomes. ARD can offer the surgical team a “third hand” to perform wider tasks and more degrees of motion in comparison with conventional laparoscopy. We test an eye-tracking based robotic scrub nurse (RSN) in a simulated operating room based on a novel real-time framework for theatre-wide 3D gaze localization in a mobile fashion. Methods Surgeons performed segmental resection of pig colon and handsewn end-to-end anastomosis while wearing eye-tracking glasses (ETG) assisted by distributed RGB-D motion sensors. To select instruments, surgeons (ST) fixed their gaze on a screen, initiating the RSN to pick up and transfer the item. Comparison was made between the task with the assistance of a human scrub nurse (HSNt) versus the task with the assistance of robotic and human scrub nurse (R&HSNt). Task load (NASA-TLX), technology acceptance (Van der Laan’s), metric data on performance and team communication were measured. Results Overall, 10 ST participated. NASA-TLX feedback for ST on HSNt vs R&HSNt usage revealed no significant difference in mental, physical or temporal demands and no change in task performance. ST reported significantly higher frustration score with R&HSNt. Van der Laan’s scores showed positive usefulness and satisfaction scores in using the RSN. No significant difference in operating time was observed. Conclusions We report initial findings of our eye-tracking based RSN. This enables mobile, unrestricted hands-free human–robot interaction intra-operatively. Importantly, this platform is deemed non-inferior to HSNt and accepted by ST and HSN test users.

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Relationships Between Aerobic Fitness Levels and Cognitive Performance in Swedish Office Workers

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02612 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Alexandra Pantzar ◽

Lars S. Jonasson ◽

Örjan Ekblom ◽

Carl-Johan Boraxbekk ◽

Maria M. Ekblom

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Performance ◽

Aerobic Fitness ◽

Office Workers ◽

Fitness Levels

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Impact of the 2017 Child and Adult Care Food Program Meal Pattern Requirement Change on Menu Quality in Tribal Early Care Environments: The Food Resource Equity and Sustainability for Health Study

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz094 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 12-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Susan B Sisson ◽

Kaysha Sleet ◽

Rachel Rickman ◽

Charlotte Love ◽

Alexandria Bledsoe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Native American ◽

Best Practice ◽

Food Resource ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Health Study ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Early Care ◽

Adult Care ◽

Nutrient Analysis ◽

Before And After

ABSTRACT Background Native American (NA) children have a high prevalence of obesity contributing to lifespan health disparities. Dietary intake is important to promote healthy weight gain, growth, and development. In 2017, the USDA enforced changes to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The CACFP provides reimbursement to qualifying Early Care and Education (ECE) programs that serve foods that uphold the program's nutrition requirements. Objective This study had the following 2 objectives: 1) Describe a novel index to evaluate ECE menus based on revised CACFP requirements (accounting for food substitutions) and best practices for 3- to-5-y-old children, and 2) analyze CACFP requirement and best practice compliance and nutrient changes in 9 NA ECE programs before and after enforcement of the revised CACFP requirements. Methods This longitudinal study is within a larger community-based participatory research study. Menus and meals served were evaluated for 1 wk at each of 9 programs before and after enforcement of the revised meal patterns. Nutrient analysis, CACFP requirement and best practice compliance, and substitution quality were evaluated. Differences were determined using a paired t-test or Wilcoxon matched test. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03251950. Results Total grams of fiber consumed increased (5.0 ± 1.2 compared with 5.9 ± 0.8 g, P = 0.04) and total grams of sugar consumed decreased (53.8 ± 12.6 compared with 48.4 ± 7.9 g, P = 0.024), although room for further improvement exists. Although total grams of fat remained unchanged, grams of saturated fat significantly increased (7.8 ± 1.4 compared with 10.5 ± 3.4, P = 0.041). Other nutrients remained unchanged. Overall CACFP requirement and best practice compliance scores improved, although this finding was not statistically significant. No significant changes in food quality associated with substitutions occurred. Conclusions This study provides early evidence to support the beneficial impact of the revised CACFP requirements. Understanding barriers to compliance within rural NA communities would be an important next step in enhancing the health of vulnerable children.

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