scholarly journals Changing the taste of apples by eurythmic treatments

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 460-464
Author(s):  
Eckart Grundmann ◽  
Tanja Baumgartner
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Field Experiment ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Human Movements ◽  
To Come ◽  
Performing Art ◽  
The Impact

AbstractEurythmy is a performing art based on anthroposophy which tries to make non-visible forces visible by human movements. According to the concept of anthroposophy a eurythmist is capable to come into an exchange with the life forces of organisms through his movements. In a field experiment – executed by the Institute ArteNova in cooperation with an apple farmer – a eurythmist treated trees of two apple varieties with a sequence of eurythmic gestures to observe the impact on the fruit quality. The apples showed no differences in the laboratory test of sugar content and firmness. In the sensory test, significant differences could be found in several parameters like freshness, crunchiness or the total judgement. The results present a basic effect of human movements on the taste of plants. Furthermore, it was possible to find appropriate movements for pre-determined aims. Eurythmic movements could be seen as a possible method for agricultural systems which refuse pesticides and other synthetic substances. Follow-up experiments with different varieties, fruits, and places should verify the effects.

scholarly journals For Your Eyes Only: A Field Experiment on Nudging Hygienic Behavior

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilde Mobekk ◽  
Dag Olav Hessen ◽  
Asle Fagerstrøm ◽  
Hanne Jacobsen
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Individual Choice ◽  
Hygienic Behavior ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Reversal Design ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

These days many gyms and fitness centers are closed to reduce transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in society. The gym is an environment rich in microorganisms, and careful hygiene is a necessity to keep infections at bay. Exercise centers strive for better hygiene compliance among their members. This effort has become essential in light of the current pandemic. Several experimental studies show that others’ physical presence, or the “illusion” of being watched, may alter behavior. This article reports on a natural field experiment testing one specific social nudge intended to increase gym members’ hygienic behavior. The study was conducted before the SARS-COV-2 pandemic. A picture of “observing eyes” was attached to paper dispensers and cleanser spray bottles at two different gyms in Norway. A reversal design, also called an ABA design, with and without the nudge’s presence, was used to investigate the impact on gym members’ hygienic behavior. A follow-up study was conducted in one of the centers to investigate whether the nudge stimuli would function over time. The study included 254 individual choice situations during nine observation sessions conducted over 9 weeks. The results from both centers provide evidence of a strong effect of the nudge. However, the effect decreased during the follow-up study. These findings support previous research indicating that human behavior is influenced by the presence of implicit observation cues – in this case – observing eyes. However, insights into the long-term effect of implicit observation cues are still needed since the salience of the stimuli faded over time.

scholarly journals Potential follow-up increases private contributions to public goods

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (19) ◽  
pp. 5218-5220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd Rogers ◽  
John Ternovski ◽  
Erez Yoeli
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Goods ◽  
Field Experiment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Scale Field ◽  
Large Scale Field ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Made In ◽  
Get Out The Vote

People contribute more to public goods when their contributions are made more observable to others. We report an intervention that subtly increases the observability of public goods contributions when people are solicited privately and impersonally (e.g., mail, email, social media). This intervention is tested in a large-scale field experiment (n = 770,946) in which people are encouraged to vote through get-out-the-vote letters. We vary whether the letters include the message, “We may call you after the election to ask about your voting experience.” Increasing the perceived observability of whether people vote by including that message increased the impact of the get-out-the-vote letters by more than the entire effect of a typical get-out-the-vote letter. This technique for increasing perceived observability can be replicated whenever public goods solicitations are made in private.

scholarly journals Patient Reported Experience of Clinical Care of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) During The COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra Smyth ◽  
Monica Hytiris ◽  
Coreen Kelday ◽  
Ciara McDonnell ◽  
Christine Burren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Osteogenesis Imperfecta ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Remote Consultation ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Primary Survey ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
To Come ◽  
Initial Survey ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Research on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with rare diseases is limited. Few studies compare healthcare throughout the progression of the ongoing pandemic.Aims To assess the impact of lockdown on individuals with OI (Osteogenesis Imperfecta) across two consecutive years of the pandemic, to understand what challenges were encountered, and to analyse the experience of remote consultation.Methods Two independent surveys were distributed in August 2020 and April 2021. The primary survey was distributed following the first lockdown, and the second survey built on the experiences reported from the initial survey. The surveys explored four key themes- effects on therapy, alternatives to consultation, effect on mental health, and perceived risks of COVID-19.Results In the primary 2020 survey of the 110 respondents 69 (63%) had at least one appointment delayed due to lockdown, increasing to 89 of the 124 respondents (72%) in the follow-up survey. Of the 110 initial survey participants, 57 (52%) had a remote consultation, increasing to 92 of 124 (74%) in the follow-up survey. In the primary survey 63 of 91 (69%) expressed increasing anxiety due to lockdown, compared with 76 of 124 (61%) in the follow-up survey. In the primary survey 12 of 91 respondents (13%) expressed concerns at not seeing friends and family compared with 103 of 124 (83%) in the follow-up survey. In the second survey of 124 participants there were concerns regarding weight and diet (55, 44%), mobility (70, 56%), pain (71, 57%), and keeping physically active (89, 72%). The majority of participants felt they would have a worse illness and require longer rehabilitation than someone without OI (81 of 117 respondents, and 77 of 120 respectively), and the majority of participants (68%) had been vaccinated at the time of the second survey.Conclusions The pandemic has had widespread effects on both the mental and physical health of those with OI. These repercussions are likely to be felt for years to come. On the other hand, the pandemic has also revealed that in certain situations remote consultation may prove a viable long-lasting alternative to face-to-face appointments.

scholarly journals Expectations for the confirmation of Proxima c from a long-term radial velocity follow-up

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (1) ◽  
pp. 1387-1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Damasso ◽  
F Del Sordo
Keyword(s):  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Orbital Period ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Time Range ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Data Set ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Proxima c, a candidate second planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, was detected with the radial velocity method. The announced long orbital period (5.21$^{+0.26}_{-0.22}$ yr), and small semi-amplitude of the induced Doppler signal (1.2 ± 0.4 $\rm{\,m\,s^{-1}}$), make this detection challenging and a target worthy of a follow-up in the years to come. We intend to evaluate the impact of future data on the statistical significance of the detection through realistic simulated radial velocities to be added to the published data set, spanning up to one orbital period of Proxima c in the time range 2019–2023. We find that the detection significance of Proxima c increases depending not only on the amount of data collected, but also on the number of instruments used, and especially on the time-span covered by the observational campaign. However, on average, we do not get strong statistical evidence, and we predict that, in the best-case scenario, in the next five years the detection of Proxima c can become significant at the 4-σ level. If instead Proxima c does not exist, the detected signal may lower its significance down to 2 σ.

Sound Production Treatment for Acquired Apraxia of Speech: An Examination of Dosage in Relation to Probe Performance

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Julie L. Wambaugh ◽  
Lydia Kallhoff ◽  
Christina Nessler
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Apraxia Of Speech ◽  
Practice Schedule ◽  
Practice Schedules ◽  
Baseline Performance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Number Of Treatment ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study was designed to examine the association of dosage and effects of Sound Production Treatment (SPT) for acquired apraxia of speech. Method Treatment logs and probe data from 20 speakers with apraxia of speech and aphasia were submitted to a retrospective analysis. The number of treatment sessions and teaching episodes was examined relative to (a) change in articulation accuracy above baseline performance, (b) mastery of production, and (c) maintenance. The impact of practice schedule (SPT-Blocked vs. SPT-Random) was also examined. Results The average number of treatment sessions conducted prior to change was 5.4 for SPT-Blocked and 3.9 for SPT-Random. The mean number of teaching episodes preceding change was 334 for SPT-Blocked and 179 for SPT-Random. Mastery occurred within an average of 13.7 sessions (1,252 teaching episodes) and 12.4 sessions (1,082 teaching episodes) for SPT-Blocked and SPT-Random, respectively. Comparisons of dosage metric values across practice schedules did not reveal substantial differences. Significant negative correlations were found between follow-up probe performance and the dosage metrics. Conclusions Only a few treatment sessions were needed to achieve initial positive changes in articulation, with mastery occurring within 12–14 sessions for the majority of participants. Earlier occurrence of change or mastery was associated with better follow-up performance. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12592190

Research Participation Experiences of Informants of Suicide and Control Cases

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 238-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. C. Wong ◽  
Wincy S. C. Chan ◽  
Philip S. L. Beh ◽  
Fiona W. S. Yau ◽  
Paul S. F. Yip ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Research Participation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Initial Contact ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Autopsy Study ◽  
The People ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Background: Ethical issues have been raised about using the psychological autopsy approach in the study of suicide. The impact on informants of control cases who participated in case-control psychological autopsy studies has not been investigated. Aims: (1) To investigate whether informants of suicide cases recruited by two approaches (coroners’ court and public mortuaries) respond differently to the initial contact by the research team. (2) To explore the reactions, reasons for participation, and comments of both the informants of suicide and control cases to psychological autopsy interviews. (3) To investigate the impact of the interviews on informants of suicide cases about a month after the interviews. Methods: A self-report questionnaire was used for the informants of both suicide and control cases. Telephone follow-up interviews were conducted with the informants of suicide cases. Results: The majority of the informants of suicide cases, regardless of the initial route of contact, as well as the control cases were positive about being approached to take part in the study. A minority of informants of suicide and control cases found the experience of talking about their family member to be more upsetting than expected. The telephone follow-up interviews showed that none of the informants of suicide cases reported being distressed by the psychological autopsy interviews. Limitations: The acceptance rate for our original psychological autopsy study was modest. Conclusions: The findings of this study are useful for future participants and researchers in measuring the potential benefits and risks of participating in similar sensitive research. Psychological autopsy interviews may be utilized as an active engagement approach to reach out to the people bereaved by suicide, especially in places where the postvention work is underdeveloped.

Coexistent Osteoarthritis and Parkinson’s Disease: Data from the Parkinson’s Foundation Outcomes Project

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1601-1610
Author(s):  
Jaimie A. Roper ◽  
Abigail C. Schmitt ◽  
Hanzhi Gao ◽  
Ying He ◽  
Samuel Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Functional Mobility ◽  
Quality Improvement Initiative ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Mobility Performance ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
The Impact

Background: The impact of concurrent osteoarthritis on mobility and mortality in individuals with Parkinson’s disease is unknown. Objective: We sought to understand to what extent osteoarthritis severity influenced mobility across time and how osteoarthritis severity could affect mortality in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Methods: In a retrospective observational longitudinal study, data from the Parkinson’s Foundation Quality Improvement Initiative was analyzed. We included 2,274 persons with Parkinson’s disease. The main outcomes were the effects of osteoarthritis severity on functional mobility and mortality. The Timed Up and Go test measured functional mobility performance. Mortality was measured as the osteoarthritis group effect on survival time in years. Results: More individuals with symptomatic osteoarthritis reported at least monthly falls compared to the other groups (14.5% vs. 7.2% without reported osteoarthritis and 8.4% asymptomatic/minimal osteoarthritis, p = 0.0004). The symptomatic group contained significantly more individuals with low functional mobility (TUG≥12 seconds) at baseline (51.5% vs. 29.0% and 36.1%, p < 0.0001). The odds of having low functional mobility for individuals with symptomatic osteoarthritis was 1.63 times compared to those without reported osteoarthritis (p < 0.0004); and was 1.57 times compared to those with asymptomatic/minimal osteoarthritis (p = 0.0026) after controlling pre-specified covariates. Similar results hold at the time of follow-up while changes in functional mobility were not significant across groups, suggesting that osteoarthritis likely does not accelerate the changes in functional mobility across time. Coexisting symptomatic osteoarthritis and Parkinson’s disease seem to additively increase the risk of mortality (p = 0.007). Conclusion: Our results highlight the impact and potential additive effects of symptomatic osteoarthritis in persons with Parkinson’s disease.

Assessment of parental knowledge, attitude and practice towards antibiotic use in children

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-41
Author(s):  
Thejaswini Karanth ◽  
Someswar Deb ◽  
Lal Ruatpuii Zadeng ◽  
Rajeswari Ramasamy ◽  
Teena Nazeem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parental Knowledge ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Case Report Form ◽  
Standard Case ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Antibiotics Use ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

Objective to assess the impact of pharmacist assisted counselling in improving Parental Knowledge, Attitude and Practice [KAP] towards antibiotic use in children. A Prospective, Educational Interventional Study was conducted in 200 subjects, from the randomly chosen communities in Bangalore. The investigators did door to door visit. The primary demographics data of parents and their children were collected using standard Case Report Form (CRF), and the baseline towards antibiotic use in Children was obtained from parents using validated Questionnaire. In the presence of both parents, only one was supposed to answer the Questionnaire. Pharmacist assisted parent centred interventional counselling was provided with the help of Patient Information Leaflet1s (PIL). Follow-up and post interventional KAP assessment were done after two months from the baseline measurement. The changes in parental KAP towards antibiotics use in children were being assessed by comparing the Pretest and Posttest responses using statistical analysis. The knowledge of parents towards antibiotic use in children was medium to good in the baseline KAP assessment; however, in the majority of the participating parents it was not satisfactory in attitude and practice domains. A statistically significant improvement was seen in the KAP of parents towards antibiotic use in children after the pharmacist assisted interventional counselling. Thus, Investigators could bring excellent changes in the knowledge part; whereas the result for changes in the Attitude and Practice was good to medium respectively.

LUMINESCENT DETERMINATION OF SUGAR IN NATURAL HONEY

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (4) ◽  
pp. 29-32
Author(s):  
B.M. GAREEV ◽  
◽  
A.M. ABDRAKHMANOV ◽  
G.L. SHARIPOV ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Aqueous Solutions ◽  
Analytical Method ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Carbon Quantum Dots ◽  
Photoluminescence Intensity ◽  
Sucrose Content ◽  
Natural Honey

The photoluminescence of carbon quantum dots synthesized from natural honey and mixtures of honey and sugar has been studied. An increase in the sugar content leads to a decrease in the photoluminescence intensity without changing the shape of the luminescence spectrum of these quantum dots aqueous solutions, which is associated with a decrease in the yield of their synthesis in the sugar presence. The discovered effect can be used to detect sugar in honey. When examining five different market samples of flower honey using this method, two of them showed a significant decrease in the photoluminescence intensity. A laboratory test for compliance with GOST 19792-2017 Standard requirements established an excess of the sucrose content in these samples. Luminescent determination of sugar in honey does not require complicated equipment and can be used to develop a new analytical method for determining the sugar content in counterfeit natural honey.

The impact of statin therapy after surgical or endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 182-189
Author(s):  
Tae-Jin Song ◽  
Seung-Hun Oh ◽  
Jinkwon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Statin Therapy ◽  
Coil Embolization ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Cerebral Aneurysms ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Surgical Clipping ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVECerebral aneurysms represent the most common cause of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage. Statins are lipid-lowering agents that may expert multiple pleiotropic vascular protective effects. The authors hypothesized that statin therapy after coil embolization or surgical clipping of cerebral aneurysms might improve clinical outcomes.METHODSThis was a retrospective cohort study using the National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort Database in Korea. Patients who underwent coil embolization or surgical clipping for cerebral aneurysm between 2002 and 2013 were included. Based on prescription claims, the authors calculated the proportion of days covered (PDC) by statins during follow-up as a marker of statin therapy. The primary outcome was a composite of the development of stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause death. Multivariate time-dependent Cox regression analyses were performed.RESULTSA total of 1381 patients who underwent coil embolization (n = 542) or surgical clipping (n = 839) of cerebral aneurysms were included in this study. During the mean (± SD) follow-up period of 3.83 ± 3.35 years, 335 (24.3%) patients experienced the primary outcome. Adjustments were performed for sex, age (as a continuous variable), treatment modality, aneurysm rupture status (ruptured or unruptured aneurysm), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, household income level, and prior history of ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage as time-independent variables and statin therapy during follow-up as a time-dependent variable. Consistent statin therapy (PDC > 80%) was significantly associated with a lower risk of the primary outcome (adjusted hazard ratio 0.34, 95% CI 0.14–0.85).CONCLUSIONSConsistent statin therapy was significantly associated with better prognosis after coil embolization or surgical clipping of cerebral aneurysms.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document