Psychological Aspects of Motocross Racing Considering Expected, Perceived, and Actual Performance

Motocross racing is a seldom-researched popular extreme sport. This field research aimed to investigate feeling states, perceived arousal, anxiety, and negative and positive affect in the anticipatory and recovery race periods and their relationship to expected and perceived performance. Twenty Motocross racers completed psychometric scales before and after a national championship race. Results revealed that objective performance was unrelated to psychological measures. Arousal, anxiety, and positive affect were lower after the race. Expected performance was unrelated to postrace measures. Still, perceived performance correlated significantly with the feeling state, anxiety, and positive affect after the race and the feeling state before the race. Furthermore, racers who performed as expected or better showed improved feeling states after the race compared with those who did worse than expected. The core affect of the latter group declined. This research on psychological states during Motocross races could motivate new initiatives for future studies.

Integrated Management of the Cotton Charcoal Rot Disease Using Biological Agents and Chemical Pesticides

Charcoal rot disease (CRD), caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina, is a significant threat to cotton production in Israel and worldwide. The pathogen secretes toxins and degrading enzymes that disrupt the water and nutrient uptake, leading to death at the late stages of growth. While many control strategies were tested over the years to reduce CRD impact, reaching that goal remains a significant challenge. The current study aimed to establish, improve, and deepen our understanding of a new approach combining biological agents and chemical pesticides. Such intervention relies on reducing fungicides while providing stability and a head start to eco-friendly bio-protective Trichoderma species. The research design included sprouts in a growth room and commercial field plants receiving the same treatments. Under a controlled environment, comparing the bio-based coating treatments with their corresponding chemical coating partners resulted in similar outcomes in most measures. At 52 days, these practices gained up to 38% and 45% higher root and shoot weight and up to 78% decreased pathogen root infection (tracked by Real-Time PCR), compared to non-infected control plants. Yet, in the shoot weight assessment (day 29 post-sowing), the treatment with only biological seed coating outperformed (p < 0.05) all other biological-based treatments and all Azoxystrobin-based irrigation treatments. In contrast, adverse effects are observed in the chemical seed coating group, particularly in above ground plant parts, which are attributable to the addition of Azoxystrobin irrigation. In the field, the biological treatments had the same impact as the chemical intervention, increasing the cotton plants' yield (up to 17%), improving the health (up to 27%) and reducing M. phaseolina DNA in the roots (up to 37%). When considering all treatments within each approach, a significant benefit to plant health was observed with the bio-chemo integrated management compared to using only chemical interventions. Specific integrated treatments have shown potential in reducing CRD symptoms, such as applying bio-coating and sprinkling Azoxystrobin during sowing. Aerial remote sensing based on high-resolution visible-channel (RGB), green-red vegetation index (GRVI), and thermal imaging supported the above findings and proved its value for studying CRD control management. This research validates the combined biological and chemical intervention potential to shield cotton crops from CRD.

Weighing structural damage and social susceptibility: A decision-making tool to perform longitudinal studies of geographically large hazard events

Geographically large climatic hazard events are occurring more frequently, and with this increase, more research emphasis is being placed on their impact. However, a metrology for selecting which communities to survey following an event is not frequently discussed and as a result does not effectively incorporate all relevant disciplines in disaster research. This article provides a method for selecting communities for inclusion in field studies not only based on anticipated damage but also community-level social factors that show predictive power in long-term analyses. Due to the perishable nature of disaster data, this social metric and the field study decision tool were developed with the intent of being as rapidly implementable as possible while still providing insight regarding long-term post-event community trends. The community-level social metric was developed using a hindcasting technique for hazard events in the years 2011, 2012, and 2013. Thresholds for stability and decline were established for both the predicted and the actual community outcomes. Of the communities that the model predicted would recover, 73% recovered using the definition provided. Meanwhile 74% of the communities predicted to decline did indeed decline, again using the definition provided. To enhance operability of this social metric, a decision-making tool for community selection was also formalized and implemented in a field study conducted following the December 2021 quad-state tornado outbreak in the United States. The lessons learned from this first implementation were used to inform a refined version of the decision-making tool that is presented herein.

Vicarious trauma in nursing: A hybrid concept analysis

BACKGROUND

Vicarious trauma can significantly affect the physical and mental health of nurses, as well as their ability to provide quality of care. However, the concept of vicarious trauma has received limited attention and remains controversial in the nursing context.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to clarify and define the concept of vicarious trauma as it pertains to the nursing context.

METHODS

The Schwartz and Kim's three-stage hybrid concept analysis method was used to define the concept. In the theoretical phase, PubMed, CINAHL, OVID, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, PsycINFO, CNKI database, VIP database and Wanfang database were used using keywords "nurs*"and "vicarious trauma*", resulting in a total of 25 papers. In the fieldwork phase, we conducted participatory observations in three hospitals and semi-structured in-depth interviews with 18 clinical nurses from seven cities. In the analysis phase, the results of the previous two phases were integrated to develop a comprehensive concept of vicarious trauma in nursing.

RESULTS

Based on the results of the theoretical and field phases, we propose the concept of vicarious trauma in nursing as follows: vicarious trauma is a psychological trauma impacting nurses' cognitive schema which they may experience in clinical settings or on social media, resulting from deeply empathize with the physical or emotional trauma of patients, family, or colleagues, such as patients' physical injuries or death, family's grieving feelings and colleagues' received threats and attacks. Positively, vicarious trauma can transform into vicarious post-trauma growth through repositioning and connection, nourishing nurses and promoting their personal and professional development.

CONCLUSION

The concept of vicarious trauma in nursing is multidimensional and holistic. This study clarifies the concept of vicarious trauma in nursing using the hybrid concept analysis, providing a framework for future research and practice on vicarious trauma in the nursing field.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Nurses contributed to the conduct of the study by participating in the data collection via interviews.

Hair cortisol concentration in finishing pigs on commercial farms: variability between pigs, batches, and farms

Hair cortisol is a stress indicator and could be used to assess the pigs' exposure to stressors in the weeks/months prior to non-invasive hair sampling. The main aim of this study was to describe the hair cortisol concentration (HCC) variability between individuals within a batch, between farms and between batches within a farm. The secondary aim was to determine how the number of sampled pigs influences the characterization of HCC within a batch. Twenty farrow-to-finish pig farms were recruited considering the diversity of their management practices and health status (data collected). Hair was sampled in two separate batches, 8 months apart. The necks of 24 finishing pigs were clipped per batch the week prior to slaughter. To describe the variability in HCC, an analysis of the variance model was run with three explanatory variables (batch, farm and their interaction). To identify farm clusters, a principal component analysis followed by a hierarchical clustering was carried out with four active variables (means and standard deviations of the two batches per farm) and 17 supplementary variables (management practices, herd health data). We determined how the number of sampled pigs influenced the characterization of HCC within a batch by selecting subsamples of the results. HCC ranged from 0.4 to 121.6 pg/mg, with a mean of 25.9 ± 16.2 pg/mg. The variability in HCC was mainly explained by differences between pigs (57%), then between farms (24%), between batches within the same farm (16%) and between batches (3%). Three clusters of farms were identified: low homogeneous concentrations (n = 3 farms), heterogeneous concentrations with either higher (n = 7) or lower (n = 10) HCC in batch 2 than in batch 1. The diversity of management practices and health statuses allowed to discuss hypotheses explaining the HCC variations observed. We highlighted the need to sample more than 24 pigs to characterize HCC in a pig batch. HCC differences between batches on six farms suggest sampling pigs in more than one batch to describe the HCC at the farm level. HCC variations described here confirm the need to study its links with exposure of pigs to stressors.

The fecal biomarker ovotransferrin associates with broiler performance under field conditions

Broilers often suffer from subclinical intestinal health problems of ill-defined etiology, which have a negative impact on performance. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluations can be used to monitor intestinal health, but because these are subjective and time-consuming, respectively, objective and easy-to-measure biomarkers are urgently needed. Fecal biomarkers can potentially be used as noninvasive, objective measures to evaluate gut health in broilers. The aim of the current study was to evaluate ovotransferrin (OVT) as a biomarker in fecal/colonic samples derived from broilers from 27 industrial farms by investigating associations between OVT, broiler performance and gut histology parameters. Eight chickens per farm were randomly selected, weighed and euthanized on d 28 of the production round. A duodenal section was collected to measure the intestinal villus structure (villus length, crypt depth) and the inflammatory status of the gut (CD3+ T-lymphocytes area percentage). The coefficient of variation for the OVT (between farms; 83.45%, within farms; 95.13%) was high compared to the villus length (between farms; 10.91%, within farms; 15.48%), crypt depth (between farms; 15.91%, within farms; 14.10%), villus-to-crypt ratio (between farms; 22.08%, within farms; 20.53%), and CD3+ (between farms; 36.38%, within farms; 26.13%). At farm level, colonic OVT was significantly associated with the average slaughter weight (P = 0.005), daily weight gain (P = 0.007) and the European production index (EPI) (P = 0.009). At broiler level, significant associations were found between colonic OVT and the villus length (P = 0.044) and between the colonic OVT and villus-to-crypt ratio (P = 0.050). These results thus show that quantifying OVT in colon can have merit for evaluation of intestinal health in broilers under field conditions.

Expression of trematode-induced zombie-ant behavior is strongly associated with temperature

Parasite-induced modification of host behavior increasing transmission to a next host is a common phenomenon. However, field-based studies are rare, and the role of environmental factors in eliciting host behavioral modification is often not considered. We examined the effects of temperature, relative humidity (RH), time of day, date, and an irradiation proxy on behavioral modification of the ant Formica polyctena (Förster, 1850) by the brain-encysting lancet liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum (Rudolphi, 1819). This fluke induces ants to climb and bite to vegetation by the mandibles in a state of temporary tetany. A total of 1264 individual ants expressing the modified behavior were observed over 13 non-consecutive days during one year in the Bidstrup Forests, Denmark. A sub-set of those ants (N = 172) was individually marked to track the attachment and release of infected ants in relation to variation in temperature. Infected ants primarily attached to vegetation early and late in the day, corresponding to low temperature and high RH, presumably coinciding with the grazing activity of potential herbivorous definitive hosts. Temperature was the single most important determinant for the induced phenotypic change. On warm days, infected ants altered between the manipulated and non-manipulated state multiple times, while on cool days, many infected ants remained attached to the vegetation all day. Our results suggest that the temperature sensitivity of the infected ants serves the dual purpose of exposing infected ants to the next host at an opportune time, while protecting them from exposure to high temperatures, which might increase host (and parasite) mortality.

Field study on the use and acceptance of an arm support exoskeleton in plastering

Exoskeleton use in day-to-day plastering may face several challenges. Not all plasterer's tasks comprise of movements that will be supported by the exoskeleton and might even be hindered. Furthermore, use in practice might be jeopardised by time pressure, colleagues being negative, discomfort, or any other hindrance of the exoskeleton. We set up a field study, in which 39 plasterers were equipped with an exoskeleton for six weeks, to study exoskeleton usage. Moreover, we studied workload and fatigue, behaviour, productivity and quality, advantages and disadvantages, and acceptance. Exoskeleton use was dependent on the task performed but did not change over the course of the six weeks. For three tasks, higher exoskeleton use was associated with lower perceived loads, although differences were small. Advantages outweighed disadvantages for the majority of our population. This study shows that a majority of plasterers will wear the exoskeleton and is enthusiastic about the load reducing effect. Practitioner summary: For exoskeletons to make an impact on the health and well-being of workers, they need to be applicable in real work situations and accepted by the users. This study shows that 65% of the plasterers in this study want to use the exoskeleton in the future, for specific tasks.

Assessing Negative Welfare Measures for Wild Invertebrates: The Case for Octopuses

Welfare metrics have been established for octopuses in the laboratory, but not for octopuses living in the wild. Wild octopuses are constantly exposed to potentially harmful situations, and the ability to assess the welfare status of wild octopuses could provide pertinent information about individuals' health and species' resilience to stressors. Here, we used underwater photos and videos to identify injuries and stress-related behaviors in wild Octopus insularis in a variety of contexts, including interacting with fishermen, interacting with other octopuses and fish, proximity to predators, in den, foraging, and in senescence. We adapted established metrics of octopus welfare from the laboratory to these wild octopuses. In addition to observing all of the stress measures, we also identified two previously unknown measures associated with decreased welfare: (1) a half white eye flash and (2) a half-and-half blotch body pattern. More than half of the individuals analyzed had arm loss, and almost half of the individuals had skin injuries. We also observed that irregular chromatophore expression and abnormal motor coordination were associated with interactions with fishermen. This is the first study to apply measures of welfare from the laboratory to wild octopuses. Our results may also aid in the identification of welfare measures for other wild invertebrates.

Artificially raised roost temperatures lead to larger body sizes in wild bats

Climate warming has major consequences for animal populations, as ambient temperature profoundly influences all organisms' physiology, behavior, or both.1 Body size in many organisms has been found to change with increased ambient temperatures due to influences on metabolism and/or access to resources.2,3,4,5,6 Changes in body size, in turn, can affect the dynamics and persistence of populations.7 Notably, in some species, body size has increased over the last decades in response to warmer temperatures.3,8 This has primarily been attributed to higher food availability,3 but might also result from metabolic savings in warmer environments.9,10 Bechstein's bats (Myotis bechsteinii) grow to larger body sizes in warmer summers,11 which affects their demography as larger females reproduce earlier at the expense of a shorter life expectancy.12,13 However, it remains unclear whether larger body sizes in warmer summers were due to thermoregulatory benefits or due to increased food availability. To disentangle these effects, we artificially heated communal day roosts of wild maternity colonies over four reproductive seasons. We used generalized mixed models to analyze these experimental results along with 25 years of long-term data comprising a total of 741 juveniles. We found that individuals raised in heated roosts grew significantly larger than those raised in unheated conditions. This suggests that metabolic savings in warmer conditions lead to increased body size, potentially resulting in the decoupling of body growth from prey availability. Our study highlights a direct mechanism by which climate change may alter fitness-relevant traits, with potentially dire consequences for population persistence.

Herbicide exposure during occupational knapsack spraying in French gardeners and municipal workers

CONTEXT

There is a lack of data on pesticide exposure levels during spraying with a knapsack, while it could have important implications for their users' health.

METHODS

We assessed levels and determinants of exposure in 24 male private landscapers/gardeners and municipal workers in France in 2011. Actual dermal exposure to glyphosate was assessed with cotton undergarments and gloves, and a cotton coverall changed between mixing and spraying to assess the contribution of each phase and body area to overall contamination. A field monitor observed the whole workshift and filled in a standardized observation grid.

RESULTS

The median actual contamination was 5,256 µg for the body, and 4,620 µg for hands. Spraying was more exposing than mixing/loading for all body parts except hands, which contributed to nearly 90% of body exposure during mixing/loading, and 30% during spraying, followed by back (14%). In the most exposed quartile, levels were close to some observations in agriculture.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides new data on pesticide exposure levels of knapsack sprayer users; it should lead to a reinforced prevention, in order to make exposures as low as possible and lessen the risk of chronic diseases.

The cotton charcoal rot causal agent, Macrophomina phaseolina, biological and chemical control

The fungus Macrophomina phaseolina causes charcoal rot disease (CRD) in cotton, whose symptoms develop in the late stages of growth and result in wilting and death. Despite significant research efforts to reduce disease incidences, effective control strategies against M. phaseolina are an ongoing scientific effort. Today's CRD control tends toward green options to reduce the chemicals' environmental footprint and health risks. Here, different Trichoderma species were examined separately and in combination with Azoxystrobin (AS) in semi-field open-enclosure pots and a commercial field throughout a full season. In the pot experiment, the T. asperellum (P1) excelled and led to improvement in growth (13%-14%, day 69) and crops (the number of capsules by 36% and their weight by 78%, day 173). The chemical treatment alone at a low dose had no significant impact. Still, adding AS improved the effect of T. longibrachiatum (T7507) and impaired P1 efficiency. Real-time PCR monitoring of the pathogen DNA in the plants' roots at the harvest (day 176), revealed the efficiency of the combined treatments: T. longibrachiatum (T7407 and T7507) + AS. In a commercial field, seed dressing with a mixture of Trichoderma species (mix of P1, T7407, and Trichoderma sp. O.Y. 7107 isolate) and irrigation of their secreted metabolites during seeding resulted in the highest yields compared with the control. Applying only AS irrigation at a low dose (2,000 cc/ha), with the sowing, was the second best in promoting crops. The molecular M. phaseolina detection showed that the AS at a high dose (4,000 cc/ha) and the biological mix treatments were the most effective. Reducing the AS chemical treatment dosages by half impaired its effectiveness. Irrigation timing, also studied here, is proven vital. Early water opening during the late spring suppresses the disease outburst and damages. The results demonstrated the benefits of CRD bio-shielding and encouraged to explore the potential of a combined bio-chemo pest control approach. Such interphase can be environmentally friendly (reducing chemical substances), stabilize the biological treatment in changing environmental conditions, achieve high efficiency even in severe CRD cases, and reduce the development of fungicide resistance.

Millennia of legal content criteria of lies and truths: wisdom or common-sense folly?

Long before experimental psychology, religious writers, orators, and playwrights described examples of lie detection based on the verbal content of statements. Legal scholars collected evidence from individual cases and systematized them as "rules of evidence". Some of these resemble content cues used in contemporary research, while others point to working hypotheses worth exploring. To examine their potential validity, we re-analyzed data from a quasi-experimental study of 95 perjury cases. The outcomes support the fruitfulness of this approach. Travelling back in time searching for testable ideas about content cues to truth and deception may be worthwhile.

Postural analysis reveals persistent changes in paper wasp foundress behavioral state after conspecific challenge

Vigilant animals detect and respond to threats in the environment, often changing posture and movement patterns. Vigilance is modulated not only by predators but also by conspecific threats. In social animals, precisely how conspecific threats alter vigilance behavior over time is relevant to long-standing hypotheses about social plasticity. We report persistent effects of a simulated conspecific challenge on behavior of wild northern paper wasp foundresses, Polistes fuscatus. During the founding phase of the colony cycle, conspecific wasps can usurp nests from the resident foundress, representing a severe threat. We used automated tracking to monitor the movement and posture of P. fuscatus foundresses in response to simulated intrusions. Wasps displayed increased movement, greater bilateral wing extension, and reduced antennal separation after the threat was removed. These changes were not observed after presentation with a wooden dowel. By rapidly adjusting individual behavior after fending off an intruder, paper wasp foundresses might invest in surveillance of potential threats, even when such threats are no longer immediately present. The prolonged vigilance-like behavioral state observed here is relevant to plasticity of social recognition processes in paper wasps.

Animal-friendly behavioral testing in field studies: examples from ground squirrels

Field studies of behavior provide insight into the expression of behavior in its natural ecological context and can serve as an important complement to behavioral studies conducted in the lab under controlled conditions. In addition to naturalistic observations, behavioral testing can be an important component of field studies of behavior. This mini review evaluates a sample of behavioral testing methods in field studies to identify ways in which behavioral testing can be animal-friendly and generate ethologically relevant data. Specific examples, primarily from studies of ground squirrels, are presented to illustrate ways in which principles of animal-friendly behavioral testing can be applied to and guide testing methods. Tests conducted with animals in their natural habitat and that elicit naturally occurring behavioral responses can minimize stress and disturbance for animals, as well as disruption of the larger ecosystem, and can have high ethological validity. When animals are trapped or handled as part of a study, behavioral testing can be incorporated into handling procedures to reduce overall disturbance. When behavior is evaluated in a testing arena, the arena can be designed to resemble natural conditions to increase the ethological relevance of the test. Efforts to minimize time spent in testing arenas can also reduce disturbance to animals. Adapting a behavioral test to a species or habitat conditions can facilitate reduced disruption to subjects and increased ethological relevance of the test.

Broiler performance correlates with gut morphology and intestinal inflammation under field conditions

Maintaining optimal gut health is a key driver for a well-performing broiler flock. Histology of intestinal sections and quantification of villus structure can be used to evaluate gut health. While these measurements have been used in experimental models to evaluate gut health, less is known about the associations of these parameters with performance in commercial broiler farms. The objective of the present study was to evaluate possible associations of intestinal villus structure and the inflammatory condition of the gut with Ross 308 broiler performance in 50 commercial farms. On day 28 of the production round, 20 randomly selected broilers per farm were weighed, euthanized, and a duodenal section was collected to determine villus length, crypt depth and the CD3+ T-lymphocytes area percentage (CD3+ %). We found a relatively low coefficient of variance (CV) for the villus length (between farms; 9.67%, within farms; 15.97%), while the CD3+ (%) had a high CV (between farms; 29.78%, within farms; 25.55%). At flock level, the CD3+ (%) was significantly correlated with the villus length (r = -0.334), crypt depth (r = 0.523) and the villus-to-crypt ratio (r = -0.480). The crypt depth was significantly correlated with the European production index (EPI) (r = -0.450) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (r = 0.389). At broiler level, a significant association was found between the individual body weight (day 28), CD3+ (%) and villus-to-crypt ratio. These data thus show that gut villus structure is significantly associated with bird performance under commercial conditions. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSGut histology parameters vary between and within farms.Broiler performance is associated with gut morphology.

Preliminary Design and On-Site Testing Methodology of Roof-Cutting for Entry Retaining in Underground Coal Mine

Entry retaining via roof cutting is a new longwall mining method that has emerged in recent years, and is characterized by high resource utilization and environmental friendliness. Due to the complexity of this method, a field study is commonly employed for process optimization. Roof blasting is a key operation for retaining the entry, and the current practice involves dynamically adjusting blasting parameters through on-site testing and postblasting monitoring. However, the existing literature lacks detailed descriptions of blasting operations, making it difficult for field engineers to replicate the results. In this study, based on a roof cutting project for entry retaining, a preliminary design of blasting parameters is made based on theories and on-site geological conditions. The on-site test methods and equipment for roof-cutting blasting are described in detail, and the fractural patterns under different blasting parameters are analyzed. After the retreat of the working face, the state of roof caving in the goaf is analyzed based on monitoring data, and the effectiveness of top cutting is evaluated through reverse analysis, leading to dynamic adjustments of the blasting parameters. This research provides a reproducible construction method for roof-cutting operations and establishes the relationship between blasting parameters and post-mining monitoring data. It contributes to the development of fundamental theories and systematic technical systems for entry retaining via roof cutting, offering high-quality case studies for similar geological engineering projects.

Physiological Effects of Visual Stimulation by a Japanese Low Wooden Table: A Crossover Field Experiment

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiological effects of visual stimulation by a unique Japanese low wooden table on the prefrontal cortex and autonomic nervous activities. A within-participants experiment with 26 male university students was conducted in a Japanese-style room. The visual stimuli were a low wooden table (WT) made of Japanese cypress and a low cloth-covered table (control) for an exposure time of 90 s. Near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure the prefrontal cortex activity in the left and right prefrontal cortices as an indicator of oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentration. Autonomic nervous activity was measured as an indicator of sympathetic (low-frequency/high-frequency component ratio, LF/HF), and parasympathetic (high-frequency components, HF) nervous activities were assessed by heart rate variability. Furthermore, the modified semantic differential method and the Profile of Mood States 2nd edition were used to measure psychological responses. Physiologically, the oxy-Hb concentration in the left prefrontal cortex and ln (LF/HF) were significantly lower during visual exposure to the WT than to the control. Psychologically, more comfortable, relaxed, and natural impressions, as well as improved mood states, were reported during visual stimulation to the WT than to the control. This study demonstrated that viewing a WT led to physiological relaxation and had a positive psychological effect on the participants.

Unpacking the Relationship between Fear Motives and Self-Control Strategies among Managers: The Mediating Role of Intrusive Thoughts

In motive research, only a handful of studies have appeared on the correlates and antecedents of fear motives. In this research, we contribute to both research and practice by investigating the relationships between fear motives, intrusive thoughts, self-control strategies, and positive affect. We propose that fear motives, similar to trait anxiety, are positively associated with intrusive thoughts and that intrusive thoughts, in return, are negatively related to the frequency with which individuals employ self-control strategies. Finally, we propose that the frequency of self-control strategies is positively associated with positive affect. To test these, two field studies with managers (Study 1: N = 100 and Study 2: N = 80) were conducted. Bayesian mediation analyses showed that in both Study 1 and Study 2, fear motives were positively associated with intrusive thoughts, and intrusive thoughts were negatively related to self-control strategies. Additionally, in line with predictions, intrusive thoughts mediated the fear motives-self-control strategies relation. Finally, in Study 2, we found self-regulation strategies to be significantly and positively associated with positive affect. The theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed.

Effects of a Nudging Cue Targeting Food Choice in a University Cafeteria: A Field Study

Many students approaching adulthood often choose high-calorie food products. Concurrently, health interventions applied during this life phase can potentially lead to a healthier lifestyle. Nudge health interventions in experimental cafeteria settings have been found to improve eating behavior effectively, yet research in real-world settings is lacking. Accepting nudges as health interventions impacts nudge effectiveness. The present study applies a pretest-posttest design for a period of three consecutive weeks (no nudge, nudge, no nudge), testing the effectiveness of the so-called Giacometti cue on the number of calories purchased in a real-world cafeteria. Students were exposed to the nudge during the intervention week when entering the cafeteria and when choosing their meals. After purchasing a meal, their choice was recorded, and they completed a questionnaire. The Giacometti cue immediately reduced the number of calories purchased (comparing weeks one and two). After nudge removal, an effect was identified, increasing the number of calories purchased (comparing weeks two and three). Contrary to expectations, higher nudge acceptance resulted in more calories purchased. Neither awareness of the nudge's presence when buying food nor the interaction between acceptance and awareness played a role. We explore potential explanations for the Giacometti cue's effects.

Open field trials of food-grade gum in California and Oregon as a behavioral control for Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

The invasion of Drosophila suzukii, spotted-wing drosophila, across Europe and the US has led to economic losses for berry and cherry growers, and increased insecticide applications to protect fruit from damage. Commercial production relies heavily on unsustainable use of conventional toxic insecticides. Non-toxic insecticide strategies are necessary to alleviate the disadvantages and non-target impacts of toxic conventional insecticides and improve Integrated Pest Management (IPM). A novel food-grade gum deployed on dispenser pads (GUM dispensers) was evaluated to mitigate D. suzukii crop damage in five commercial crops and nine locations. Trials were conducted at a rate of 124 dispensers per hectare in cherry, wine grape, blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry in California and Oregon, USA during 2019 and 2020. The majority of trials with the food-grade gum resulted in a reduction of D. suzukii egg laying in susceptible fruit. In some cases, such damage was reduced by up to 78%. Overall, results from our meta-analysis showed highly significant differences between GUM treatments and the untreated control. Modeling simulations suggest a synergistic reduction of D. suzukii damage when used in combination with Spinosad (Entrust SC) insecticide. These data illustrate commercial value of this tool as a sustainable alternative to manage D. suzukii populations within a systems approach.

Safety and effectiveness of the sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitor bexagliflozin in cats newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Bexagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. A pilot study has shown that bexagliflozin can decrease dependence on exogenous insulin in cats with diabetes mellitus (DM).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of bexagliflozin as a monotherapy for DM in previously untreated cats.

ANIMALS

Eighty-four client-owned cats.

METHODS

Historically controlled prospective open-label clinical trial. Cats were dosed PO with 15 mg bexagliflozin once daily for 56 days, with a 124-day extension to evaluate safety and treatment effect durability. The primary endpoint was the proportion of cats experiencing a decrease in hyperglycemia and improvement in clinical signs of hyperglycemia from baseline on day 56.

RESULTS

Of 84 enrolled cats, 81 were evaluable on day 56, and 68 (84.0%) were treatment successes. Decreases in mean serum glucose, fructosamine, and β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB) concentrations were observed, and investigator assessments of cat neurological status, musculature, and hair coat quality improved. Owner evaluations of both cat and owner quality of life were favorable. The fructosamine half-life in diabetic cats was found to be 6.8 days. Commonly observed adverse events included emesis, diarrhea, anorexia, lethargy, and dehydration. Eight cats experienced serious adverse events, 3 of which led to death or euthanasia. The most important adverse event was euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis, diagnosed in 3 cats and presumed present in a fourth.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Bexagliflozin decreased hyperglycemia and observed clinical signs in cats newly diagnosed with DM. As a once-daily PO medication, bexagliflozin may simplify management of DM in cats.

Investigations of Histomonosis-Favouring Conditions: A Hypotheses-Generating Case-Series-Study

Since the ban of effective feed additives and therapeutics, histomonosis has become an important disease and, subsequently, a welfare issue for turkey production. We conducted an interview-based case series study to generate hypotheses about possible disease-favouring conditions in 31 H. meleagridis-infected flocks. The determined parameters were related to the general farm (flock management, biosecurity measures, etc.) as well as the histomonosis-specific disease management. Some inadequate biosecurity measures were observed. An inappropriate usage of the hygiene lock and cleaning as well as the disinfection frequency of equipment, clothes, and the hygiene lock could possibly be histomonosis-favouring conditions. These factors could increase the risk for the introduction of H. meleagridis and the risk of a pathogen spread on an affected farm. Insects, wild birds, litter materials, and contaminated dung could be potential vectors of H. meleagridis. Predisposing gastrointestinal diseases were observed in 71% of the affected flocks. Additionally, stress events related to higher temperature, movement of birds, and vaccination were documented in association with clinical histomonosis. The results emphasise the need for both good disease control and health management to ensure sustainable animal health and welfare.

Quantifying supine human discomfort in off-road whole-body vibration

This work presents a new methodology to quantify supine human discomfort during transport when multi-axis whole-body vibration (WBV) and shocks are present. The methodology employs a new scheme to normalise the reported discomfort. Twenty-six human subjects were tested under different off-road conditions and their reported discomforts collected. The paired Wilcoxon signed-rank method was used to investigate the significant differences (p < 0.01) between different track sections on the normalised reported discomfort from the subjects. Analyses based on ISO 2631-1 showed weak correlation with the reported discomfort when significant lateral motions existed. The results with the new formulation showed that discomfort is highly correlated with the vibration dose value at the head of the supine human during WBV (p < 0.001). These results are consistent with previous published work showing that discomfort based on motion at the head-neck region comprises more than 70% of the reported discomfort during supine transport under multiple-axis WBV.Practitioner summary: There are shortcomings in the current approaches to quantifying discomfort of supine humans in multi-axis whole-body vibration where lateral motions are excessive. This study revealed that reported discomfort is strongly related to the vibration dose value at the head of supine subjects rather than the input motion to the body.Abbreviations: WBV: whole-body vibration; RMS: root-mean square; VDV: vibration dose value; PSD: power spectral density; RDn: reported discomfort; NDn: normalized discomfort; : discomfort scaling coefficient; aw(t): frequency-weighted acceleration; wRMS: weighted root-mean square; Aw: weighted root-mean square acceleration; Aw,p: point weighted root-mean square acceleration; Wd: frequency-weighting factor; Wk: frequency-weighting factor; kx: weighed acceleration multiplying factor in x-direction; ky: weighed acceleration multiplying factor in y-direction; kz: weighed acceleration multiplying factor in z-direction; CV: coefficient of variation; VDVp: point vibration dose value; SD: standard deviation; pVTV: point vibration total value.

A Field Study Implementing New Monitoring Technology for Roof Caving and Systematic Monitoring for Gob-Side Entry Retaining via Roof Cutting in Underground Coal Mining

The longwall mining method with gob-side entry retaining via roof cutting is a new underground coal mining method which has the characteristics of a high resource recovery ratio and environmental friendliness. Due to the complexity of this method, the research method of case-based dynamic on-site monitoring, analysis, adjustment, and optimization is usually adopted. Based on a roadway retaining via roof cutting project, in addition to the traditional indirect monitoring method of hydraulic support pressure, this study innovatively establishes a direct monitoring method for roof caving by monitoring the gangue pressure in the goaf, which provides data for the roof cutting effect and offers a new method for studying the overlying strata movement. In the project, a comprehensive monitoring and analysis system was established, including gangue pressure, cable bolt stress, bracket pressure, roadway deformation, and roof separation, which was used to dynamically analyze the effect of roof cutting and optimize the support design. The results show that the pressure of the hydraulic support close to the roof cutting is low, indicating that roof cutting is favorable in the roadway retaining mining method. The roadway deformation in the advanced abutment pressure area of the working face is small. The mining-induced stress caused by the collapse and compaction of the overlying strata in the goaf is the dominant factor affecting the effect of roadway retaining, especially in the 50-100 m range behind the working face, where the dynamic load causes high bearing capacity of the support elements, large roadway convergence, and roof separation. Temporary support and supplementary reinforcement should be added when necessary. The monitoring system presented in this study is highly comprehensive, simple, reliable, and low in cost, providing a reference for roof cutting roadway retaining projects and roof caving-related studies.

Current situation of antibiotic contamination in China and the effect on plankton

In recent years, antibiotics have been continuously detected in waterbodies and thus has become an environmental problem, especially in China. However, current knowledge regarding the ecological hazards of antibiotics is mainly focusing on the induction of resistance in pathogenic microorganisms, treating antibiotic contamination as a public safety problem that seriously endangers human health, but relatively ignores its potential risk to aquatic organisms. As an important component of aquatic ecosystems, plankton play an important role in maintaining the stability of aquatic ecosystems. Meanwhile, plankton are very sensitive to environmental changes. Therefore, understanding the impact of antibiotics on plankton is the basis for assessing their ecological risk. To this end, we summarized current status of antibiotic contamination in China's aquatic environments, and analyzed the impacts of antibiotics on planktons. In addition to using metabolomics technology to reveal the negative impacts of antibiotics at the individual level, monitoring of antibiotics and plankton communities in the field needs to be strengthened in the future.

Exploiting Mobile Gamification to Foster Physical Activity: A Remotely-Managed Field Study

Physical inactivity is a plague for public health, especially in Western Countries. Among the countermeasures, mobile applications promoting physical activity seem particularly promising, thanks to the spread and adoption of mobile devices. However, the dropout rates of users are high, thereby calling for strategies to increase retention rates. Moreover, user testing can be problematic, because it is typically conducted in a laboratory, leading to a limited ecological validity. In the present research, we developed a custom mobile app to promote physical activity. Three versions of the app were implemented, each featuring a different pattern of gamification elements. Moreover, the app was designed to work as a self-managed experimental platform. A remote field study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the different versions of the app. Behavioral log data of physical activity and interaction with the app were collected. Our results show the feasibility of using a mobile app running on personal devices as an independently managed experimental platform. Moreover, we found that gamification elements per se do not ensure higher retention rates, rather it emerged that the richer combination of gamified elements was effective.

We meat again: a field study on the moderating role of location-specific consumer preferences in nudging vegetarian options

This field study set out to test whether consumers' history of making decisions in a particular choice context moderated the effectiveness of a nudge intervention to reduce meat consumption. In a Danish hospital canteen that served both staff members and visitors, a combination of nudges (Chef's recommendation sticker + prominent positioning) was implemented to promote vegetarian sandwiches. The sales of these sandwiches increased from 16.45% during the baseline period to 25.16% during the nudge intervention period. Most notably, this increase was caused by the visitors, who had weak location-bound preferences. Hospital staff members (who had strong location-bound preferences) were unaffected by the nudge in their choice. This is an important finding because the two consumer groups did not differ on their person-bound preferences for meat. It seems that behaviour change is best predicted by location-bound preferences, whereas the behaviour itself is best predicted by person-bound preferences. These findings can help organizations in estimating whether a nudge intervention has enough potential for behaviour change, or whether more directive policies are required.

Designing Mobile Health Applications to Support Walking for Older Adults

Physical activity is extremely important at an older age and has major benefits. There is a range of applications that help maintain physical activity. However, their adoption among older adults is still limited. The purpose of the study is to explore the key aspects of the design of mobile applications that support walking for older adults. We conducted a field study with older adults, aged 69-79 years, using a technology probe (a mobile application developed as an early prototype) with the purpose of eliciting requirements for mobile health applications. We interviewed the participants during and after the study period, asking them about their motivation for walking, usage of the application, and overall preferences when using such technologies. The findings suggest that mobile applications that support walking should address a range of walking variables, support a long-term learning process, and enable the user to take control and responsibility for the walk. In addition, we provide design guidelines concerning the motivation for walking and the data visualization that would make technology adoption easier. The findings from this study can be used to inform the design of more usable products for older users.

Evaluation of an assistance system supporting older pedestrians' road crossing in virtual reality and in a real-world field test

Older pedestrians are at a high risk of becoming victims of car accidents because they tend not to pay sufficient attention to upcoming traffic. Within our research project, an assistance system for older pedestrians has been developed. It detects the street and communicates with the users through a vibrotactile interface. Two evaluation studies have been carried out in order to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of the developed assistance system. One study was conducted in a virtual environment (VR) with 23 participants, aged 65+. The other experiment was a field test in a real street environment with 26 participants, aged 65+. Objective dependent variables in both experiments were checking for traffic (operationalized via head tracking) and stopping in front of the street (VR study), i.e., approaching time (field test). Workload and acceptance served as subjective dependent variables. Analysis of the VR experiment showed significantly more head rotation with the assistance system than without it, as well as significantly more with cars than without cars. The same was true for the frequency of stopping. No significant difference was found concerning workload. With regard to acceptance, the majority of participants indicated that the system was supportive and able to reduce risks in traffic. In the field test, results for head rotation confirmed the findings of the VR study. Analysis showed a marginally significant higher head rotation frequency with the alarm system than without, and significantly different patterns of checking for traffic at marked and unmarked crossings. However, unlike in the VR study, no differences were found in approaching time with and without the assistance system. Approaching time was slower at marked crossings. No difference was found with regard to workload, meaning the use of the assistance system did not increase the subjectively perceived workload of participants. Analysis of the acceptance questionnaire showed a positive attachment to the assistance system. However, most reported that they did not experience any advantage from the use of the system, and expressed no intention to buy such a system for themselves.

Generating Trust in Participatory Research on Plasmodium knowlesi Malaria: A Study with Rural Community Gatekeepers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

Plasmodium knowlesi malaria is a zoonotic infection that affects rural communities in South East Asia. Although the epidemiology of the disease has been extensively researched, the voices of individuals within affected communities often go unheard. Here, we describe a study that explores the importance of gatekeepers in conducting research among rural communities, their perspectives on the challenges encountered when attempting to avoid malaria infection, and their views on participatory research.

METHODS

Between 1 November 2021 and 28 February 2022, we conducted a study in Kudat district, Sabah, using a multi-method design. All participants consented to the study, which included health care workers (HCWs) (n = 5), community leaders (n = 8), and faith leaders (n = 1). We conducted interviews, transect walks, and observations with gatekeepers to ensure data trustworthiness. All interviews were conducted in the Sabah Malay dialect. The sessions were audio- and video-recorded, transcribed into English and analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Between 2017 and 2021, the number of cases of P. knowlesi malaria detected in humans ranged from 35 to 87 in villages under the care of the Lotong primary health care clinic. The challenges in controlling malaria include social norms, lifestyles, socioeconomic factors, environmental factors, and limitations of basic resources. Critical discussions regarding participation with the gatekeepers identified that face-to-face interviews were preferable to online discussions, and influenced willingness to participate in future research.

CONCLUSION

This study was conducted among village gatekeepers during the COVID-19 pandemic and generated information to drive methodological changes, opening up new ideas by sharing perspectives on challenges in P. knowlesi malaria control among vulnerable communities. The study generated trust in the community and expanded knowledge regarding participation that is critical for future community-based studies.

A randomized multi-centre study on the effectiveness of non-surgical periodontal therapy in general practice

AIM

To evaluate the effectiveness of two non-surgical treatment protocols for periodontitis patients in general dental practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-five dental hygienists (59 dental clinics) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment protocols: (i) establishment of adequate self-performed oral hygiene prior to a single session of ultrasonic instrumentation (guided periodontal infection control [GPIC]) or (ii) conventional non-surgical therapy (CNST) including patient education and scaling and root planing integrated in multiple sessions. Residual pockets at 3 months were retreated in both groups. The primary outcome was pocket closure (probing pocket depth ≤ 4 mm) at 6 months. Multilevel models were utilized.

RESULTS

Based on data from 615 patients, no significant differences with regard to clinical outcomes were observed between treatment protocols. Treatment-related costs (i.e., chair time, number of sessions) were significantly lower for GPIC than CNST. Smoking and age significantly affected treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant differences between the two approaches were observed in regard to clinical outcomes. GPIC was more time-effective. Patient education should include information on the detrimental effects of smoking.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov (NCT02168621).

Understanding the Interactions Between Driving Behavior and Well-being in Daily Driving: Causal Analysis of a Field Study

BACKGROUND

Investigating ways to improve well-being in everyday situations as a means of fostering mental health has gained substantial interest in recent years. For many people, the daily commute by car is a particularly straining situation of the day, and thus researchers have already designed various in-vehicle well-being interventions for a better commuting experience. Current research has validated such interventions but is limited to isolating effects in controlled experiments that are generally not representative of real-world driving conditions.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to identify cause-effect relationships between driving behavior and well-being in a real-world setting. This knowledge should contribute to a better understanding of when to trigger interventions.

METHODS

We conducted a field study in which we provided a demographically diverse sample of 10 commuters with a car for daily driving over a period of 4 months. Before and after each trip, the drivers had to fill out a questionnaire about their state of well-being, which was operationalized as arousal and valence. We equipped the cars with sensors that recorded driving behavior, such as sudden braking. We also captured trip-dependent factors, such as the length of the drive, and predetermined factors, such as the weather. We conducted a causal analysis based on a causal directed acyclic graph (DAG) to examine cause-effect relationships from the observational data and to isolate the causal chains between the examined variables. We did so by applying the backdoor criterion to the data-based graphical model. The hereby compiled adjustment set was used in a multiple regression to estimate the causal effects between the variables.

RESULTS

The causal analysis showed that a higher level of arousal before driving influences driving behavior. Higher arousal reduced the frequency of sudden events (P=.04) as well as the average speed (P=.001), while fostering active steering (P<.001). In turn, more frequent braking (P<.001) increased arousal after the drive, while a longer trip (P<.001) with a higher average speed (P<.001) reduced arousal. The prevalence of sunshine (P<.001) increased arousal and of occupants (P<.001) increased valence (P<.001) before and after driving.

CONCLUSIONS

The examination of cause-effect relationships unveiled significant interactions between well-being and driving. A low level of predriving arousal impairs driving behavior, which manifests itself in more frequent sudden events and less anticipatory driving. Driving has a stronger effect on arousal than on valence. In particular, monotonous driving situations at high speeds with low cognitive demand increase the risk of the driver becoming tired (low arousal), thus impairing driving behavior. By combining the identified causal chains, states of vulnerability can be inferred that may form the basis for timely delivered interventions to improve well-being while driving.

A Self-Determination Theory and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based intervention aimed at increasing adherence to physical activity

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a physical activity (PA) intervention program designed to enhance levels of engagement in PA. Despite robust evidence supporting the beneficial effects of PA on overall health, only about 22% of individuals engage in the recommended minimum amount of PA. Recent surveys suggested that most individuals express intentions to be physically active, though the psychological state of amotivation dismissed these struggles. In the current study, we pilot-tested a new intervention program, aimed at enhancing engagement in PA among sedentary individuals. The intervention was based on two behavioral change and motivational psychological frameworks: Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). During a 14-week intervention program, 94 sedentary Israeli college students (Mage = 24.4, SD = 1.42, Females = 89) were randomly assigned into one of three groups: SDT and ACT-based intervention, traditional intervention, and a non-treatment group. Prior to and following the intervention, participants completed the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-3 (BREQ-3) to examine motivation to exercise and the International Physical Activity Measurement IPAQ to evaluate their training frequency. Results showed that the SDT and ACT-based intervention group exhibited a significant increase in motivation to exercise between time 1 and time 2, while the other two groups (i.e., the traditional intervention program and the non-treatment group) showed insignificant differences in motivation to exercise. Furthermore, neither of the groups showed significant differences in their training frequency per week. However, those in the SDT and ACT-based groups reported an increase in activity intensity from time 1 to time 2 compared to the two other groups. Further, exercise psychology consultants and scholars can use the intervention protocol and utilize these findings to improve PA behaviors and promote health in the general population. Limitations, future directions, and implications are discussed in detail.

Phosphorus removal, metals dynamics, and hydraulics in stormwater bioretention systems amended with drinking water treatment residuals

Drinking water treatment residuals (DWTRs) are a promising media amendment for enhancing phosphorus (P) removal in bioretention systems, but substantial removal of dissolved P by DWTRs has not been demonstrated in field bioretention experiments. We investigated the capacity of a non-amended control media (Control) and a DWTR-amended treatment media (DWTR) to remove soluble reactive P (SRP), dissolved organic P (DOP), particulate P (PP), and total P (TP) from stormwater in a two-year roadside bioretention experiment. Significant reductions m SRP, PP and TP concentrations and loads were observed in both the Control and DWTR media. However, the P removal efficiency of the DWTR cells were greater than those of the Control cells for all P species, particularly during the second monitoring season as P sorption complexes likely began to saturate in the Control cells. The difference in P removal efficiency between the Control and DWTR cells was greatest during large storm events, which transported the majority of dissolved P loads in this study. We also investigated the potential for DWTRs to restrict water flow through bioretention media or leach heavy metals. The DWTRs used in this study did not affect the hydraulic performance of the bioretention cells and no significant evidence of heavy metal leaching was observed during the study period. Contrasting these results with past studies highlights the importance of media design in bioretention system performance and suggests that DWTRs can effectively capture and retain P without affecting system hydraulics if properly incorporated into bioretention media.

Characterization of field-scale spray drift deposition and non-target plant biological sensitivity: a corn herbicide (mesotrione/s-metolochlor) case study

BACKGROUND

This work reports a combined, field-scale spray drift deposition and plant bioassay study for a pre-mixture of the herbicides mesotrione and s-metolachlor. Wind direction data and field dimensions were used to evaluate the potential for spray drift to bypass downwind sampling devices. Variability in resulting spray drift across downwind distances was assessed alongside wind speed measured at on-site weather stations. Measured wind angles were used to geometrically adjust traveled drift particle distances and enabling isolation of wind direction impact from wind speed. Further, the use of single and multiple in-field monitoring locations was compared to quantify the benefit of higher-resolution meteorological sampling.

RESULTS

Generally, increased wind speed resulted in significantly greater herbicide deposition at distances proximal to the edge of the spray zone. According to the drift deposition curves that included wind speed data from single and multiple onsite weather stations, trials with relatively higher wind speeds were associated with greater spray drift deposition at relatively close sampling distances downwind from the application area. Only marginal improvement of linear mixed-effects model fit was observed when including data from three weather stations, compared to the fit from a single weather station or absence of weather data in the model. Using tomato and lettuce plant bioassay species, the overall no-effect distance was 3.0 m (10 ft).

CONCLUSION

Results from this study are informative to refine pesticide risk assessment for non-target plants and indicate that a single weather station is sufficient to capture potential influential effects from wind speed and direction on spray drift. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ethical, Legal and Social Implications in a Nursing Field Study in Bavaria

The Institute DigiHealth of the University of Applied Sciences Neu-Ulm is planning ELSI guidelines and legal policies on data protection and making ethics requests for the CARE REGIO project, founded by the Bavarian State Ministry for Health and Care. CARE REGIO's joint project aims at reforming the care system with digital solutions.

The Effect of Nudging in Promoting the Consumption of Organic Fruits and Vegetables

A field study collecting behavioral data was conducted to investigate effects of behavioral interventions, commonly known as nudges, in promoting the consumption of organic fruits and vegetables. Consumption, both organically and conventionally produced fruits and vegetables, was measured in a grocery store during 4 days (1 day every other week) where consumers were exposed to informational messages in combination with either emotional images or social norm messages. Measurements of daily consumption without exposure to nudges were carried out during four other days (1 day every other week, alternated with the nudging days). The results showed no effect of the nudging strategy; instead, it pointed to the importance of the price as a determinant of buying decisions. Buying ecological alternatives was associated with lower price differences between the ecological and non-ecological alternatives. We conclude that combined nudges and collected psychological data from participants may contribute to more successful nudging interventions. Some political measures in balancing the price difference between organically and conventionally produced products might also be interesting strategies in order to promote the consumption of organic fruits and vegetables.

Exploratory Field Testing of Passive Exoskeletons in Several Manufacturing Environments: Perceived Usability and User Acceptance

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSResults of the current exploratory study suggest that use of an exoskeleton (EXO) has the potential to be accepted by workers as an intervention in diverse manufacturing environments. Also evident were that the major factors contributing to EXO-use-intention are perceived comfort, task-technology fit, perceived safety, and perceived usefulness. A user's perception of perceived usability may be established by using an exoskeleton during actual job tasks, yet some aspects of perceived usability likely require multiple exposures to an EXO for an accurate assessment. Many negative comments regarding EXO use were related to physical constraints (e.g., restricted movements, bulkiness), and to the EXO interface (e.g., straps, cuff designs), suggesting a need for further research on EXO design to minimize discomfort. In practice, there is likely value in having workers use and explore candidate EXOs during their actual job, both to accurately assess the usefulness of an EXO and to find the most effective EXO.

Cool birds: first evidence of energy-saving nocturnal torpor in free-living common swifts Apus apus resting in their nests

Daily torpor is a means of saving energy by controlled lowering of the metabolic rate (MR) during resting, usually coupled with a decrease in body temperature. We studied nocturnal daily torpor under natural conditions in free-living common swifts Apus apus resting in their nests as a family using two non-invasive approaches. First, we monitored nest temperature (T_nest) in up to 50 occupied nests per breeding season in 2010-2015. Drops in T_nest were the first indication of torpor. Among 16 673 observations, we detected 423 events of substantial drops in T_nest of on average 8.6°C. Second, we measured MR of the families inside nest-boxes prepared for calorimetric measurements during cold periods in the breeding seasons of 2017 and 2018. We measured oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production using a mobile indirect respirometer and calculated the percentage reduction in MR. During six torpor events observed, MR was gradually reduced by on average 56% from the reference value followed by a decrease in T_nest of on average 7.6°C. By contrast, MR only decreased by about 33% on nights without torpor. Our field data gave an indication of daily torpor, which is used as a strategy for energy saving in free-living common swifts.

Systematic Underestimation of Pesticide Burden for Invertebrates under Field Conditions: Comparing the Influence of Dietary Uptake and Aquatic Exposure Dynamics

Pesticides used in agriculture can end up in nearby streams and can have a negative impact on nontarget organisms such as aquatic invertebrates. During registration, bioaccumulation potential is often investigated using laboratory tests only. Recent studies showed that the magnitude of bioaccumulation in the field substantially differs from laboratory conditions. To investigate this discrepancy, we conducted a field bioaccumulation study in a stream known to receive pollutant loadings from agriculture. Our work incorporates measurements of stream pesticide concentrations at high temporal resolution (every 20 min), as well as sediment, leaves, and caged gammarid analyses (every 2-24 h) over several weeks. Of 49 investigated pesticides, 14 were detected in gammarids with highly variable concentrations of up to 140 ± 28 ng/g_ww. Toxicokinetic modeling using laboratory-derived uptake and depuration rate constants for azoxystrobin, cyprodinil, and fluopyram showed that despite the highly resolved water concentrations measured, the pesticide burden on gammarids remains underestimated by a factor of 1.9 ± 0.1 to 31 ± 3.0, with the highest underestimations occurring after rain events. Including dietary uptake from polluted detritus leaves and sediment in the model explained this underestimation only to a minor proportion. However, suspended solids analyzed during rain events had high pesticide concentrations, and uptake from them could partially explain the underestimation after rain events. Additional comparison between the measured and modeled data showed that the pesticide depuration in gammarids is slower in the field. This observation suggests that several unknown mechanisms may play a role, including lowered enzyme expression and mixture effects. Thus, it is important to conduct such retrospective risk assessments based on field investigations and adapt the registration accordingly.

Virtual office intervention effectiveness: A systems approach

BACKGROUND

Virtual office work, or telework/remote work, has existed since the 1970s due to the widespread availability of new technologies. Despite a dramatic increase in remote office work, few studies have examined its long-term effects on work environments and worker well-being.

OBJECTIVE

A prospective field intervention study was undertaken to examine the effects of a Virtual Office program on office workers' psychosocial perceptions, mental and physical well-being, workplace satisfaction, and performance.

METHOD

A large public service organization undertook a 12-month Virtual Office (VO) pilot program using a systems approach. The study included 137 VO employees (intervention condition), and 85 Conventional Office (CO) employees (control condition). The VO intervention used a work system approach consisting of establishing a steering committee, training programs, and VO resource website. Employee survey measures and follow-up focus group observations were used to examine the impact of the VO intervention.

RESULTS

Virtual office participants reported higher job control, group interactions and cohesiveness, and quality of supervision than the CO participants. VO participants reported lower upper body musculoskeletal symptoms and physical/mental stress than CO participants. VO participants reported higher performance (customer satisfaction) than the CO participants.

CONCLUSION

The study findings were sufficiently positive to provide a basis for work organizations to undertake similar pilot programs. Consideration of work system factors when designing an effective VO program can benefit employee's well-being and performance. The rationale for implementing VO programs is underscored by the current COVID-19 pandemic. VO work will continue to some degree for the foreseeable future.

A sex/age anomaly in thermal comfort observed in an office worker field study: A menopausal effect?

In a field study conducted in office settings in Sydney, Australia, background survey and right-here-right-now thermal comfort questionnaires were collected from a sample of office workers. Indoor environmental observations, including air temperature, mean radiant temperature, air velocity, and relative humidity, were also recorded and matched with each questionnaire according to the time and location. During exploratory data analyses, we observed that female subjects aged over 40 and 50 or younger registered significantly warmer sensations than other subjects, male and female, from other age ranges. To further explore this phenomenon, the sample of building occupants was classified into two groups-women of perimenopausal age (over 40 and 50 or younger) while the remaining respondents served as a reference group for comparison. Women in the perimenopausal age range demonstrated an increased perception of warmth (p < 0.01) and expressed thermal dissatisfaction more frequently (p < 0.01) than the reference group respondents who were exposed to the same indoor environmental conditions. Furthermore, women of perimenopausal age also expressed preference for cooler thermal environments, that is, lower air temperature (p < 0.01) and greater air movement (p<0.01) than the reference group, and their thermal neutrality (ie, the room temperature corresponding to a neutral thermal sensation) was approximately 2°C cooler than that of the reference group (20.7°C vs 22.4°C). A potential physiological explanation for the distinct thermal perception of women aged over 40 and 50 or younger observed in this study could stem from menopausal symptoms-the presence of hot flushes and dysregulation of the thermoregulatory system.

Heart Rate and Distance Measurement of Two Multisport Activity Trackers and a Cellphone App in Different Sports: A Cross-Sectional Validation and Comparison Field Study

Options for monitoring sports have been continuously developed by using activity trackers to determine almost all vital and movement parameters. The aim of this study was to validate heart rate and distance measurements of two activity trackers (Polar Ignite; Garmin Forerunner 945) and a cellphone app (Polar Beat app using iPhone 7 as a hardware platform) in a cross-sectional field study. Thirty-six moderate endurance-trained adults (20 males/16 females) completed a test battery consisting of walking and running 3 km, a 1.6 km interval run (standard 400 m outdoor stadium), 3 km forest run (outdoor), 500/1000 m swim and 4.3/31.5 km cycling tests. Heart rate was recorded via a Polar H10 chest strap and distance was controlled via a map, 400 m stadium or 50 m pool. For all tests except swimming, strong correlation values of r > 0.90 were calculated with moderate exercise intensity and a mean absolute percentage error of 2.85%. During the interval run, several significant deviations (p < 0.049) were observed. The swim disciplines showed significant differences (p < 0.001), with the 500 m test having a mean absolute percentage error of 8.61%, and the 1000 m test of 55.32%. In most tests, significant deviations (p < 0.001) were calculated for distance measurement. However, a maximum mean absolute percentage error of 4.74% and small mean absolute error based on the total route lengths were calculated. This study showed that the accuracy of heart rate measurements could be rated as good, except for rapid changing heart rate during interval training and swimming. Distance measurement differences were rated as non-relevant in practice for use in sports.

An Encounter With the Other: A Thematic and Content Analysis of DMT Experiences From a Naturalistic Field Study

Introduction: N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an endogenous serotonergic psychedelic capable of producing radical shifts in conscious experience. Increasing trends in its use, as well as new trials administering DMT to patients, indicate the growing importance of a thorough elucidation of the qualitative content, over and above structure, which the drug occasions. This is particularly in light of the hyper-real, otherworldly, and often ontologically challenging yet potentially transformative, nature of the experience, not least encounters with apparently non-self social agents. Laboratory studies have been limited by clinical setting and lacking qualitative analyses of experiential content, while online surveys' limitations lie in retrospective design, uncontrolled use, and both of which not guaranteeing 'breakthrough' experiences, i.e., producing very strong psychoactive effects. Methods: We report on the first naturalistic field study of DMT use including its qualitative analysis. Screened, healthy, anonymised and experienced DMT users were observed during their non-clinical use of the drug at home (40-75 mg inhaled). In-depth semi-structured interviews (inspired by the micro-phenomenological technique) were employed immediately after their experience. This paper reports on the thematic analysis of one major domain of the breakthrough experiences elicited, the 'other'. Thirty-six post-DMT experience interviews with mostly Caucasian (83%) males (eight female) of average 37 years were predominantly inductively coded. Results: Invariably, profound and highly intense experiences occurred. The first overarching category comprised the encounter with other 'beings' (94% of reports), encompassing super-ordinate themes including the entities' role, appearance, demeanour, communication and interaction; while the second overarching category comprised experiences of emerging into other 'worlds' (100% of reports), encompassing super-ordinate themes of the scene, the contents and quality of the immersive spaces. Many further mid-level themes and subthemes also illuminate the rich content of the DMT experience. Discussion: The present study provides a systematic and in-depth analysis of the nuanced content of the otherworldly encounter within the breakthrough DMT experience, as well as elaborating on the resonances both with previous DMT studies focusing on entity encounters and other types of extraordinary experiences entailing such encounters. These include the alien abduction, folkloric, shamanic and near-death experience. Putative neural mechanisms of these features of the DMT experience and its promise as a psychotherapeutic agent are discussed in light of such findings.

Local vs. Avatar Robot: Performance and Perceived Workload of Service Encounters in Public Space

In recent years, the demand for remote services has increased with concerns regarding the spread of infectious diseases and employees' quality of life. Many attempts have been made to enable store staff to provide various services remotely via avatars displayed to on-site customers. However, the workload required on the part of service staff by the emerging new work style of operating avatar robots remains a concern. No study has compared the performance and perceived workload of the same staff working locally versus remotely via an avatar. In this study, we conducted an experiment to identify differences between the performance of in-person services and remote work through an avatar robot in an actual public space. The results showed that there were significant differences in the partial performance between working via an avatar and working locally, and we could not find significant difference in the overall performance. On the other hand, the perceived workload was significantly lower when the avatar robot was used. We also found that customers reacted differently to the robots and to the in-person participants. In addition, the workload perceived by operators in the robotic task was correlated with their personality and experience. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first investigation of both performance and workload in remote customer service through robotic avatars, and it has important implications for the implementation of avatar robots in service settings.

Driving Factors of Geosmin Appearance in a Mediterranean River Basin: The Ter River Case

In recent decades, human activity coupled with climate change has led to a deterioration in the quality of surface freshwater. This has been related to an increase in the appearance of algal blooms, which can produce organic compounds that can be toxic or can affect the organoleptic characteristics of the water, such as its taste and odor. Among these latter compounds is geosmin, a metabolite produced by certain cyanobacteria that confers an earthy taste to water and which can be detected by humans at very low concentrations (nanogram per liter). The difficulty and cost of both monitoring the presence of this compound and its treatment is a problem for drinking water treatment companies, as the appearance of geosmin affects consumer confidence in the quality of the drinking water they supply. In this field study, the evaluation of four sampling sites with different physicochemical conditions located in the upper part of the Ter River basin, a Mediterranean river located in Catalonia (NE Spain), has been carried out, with the aim of identifying the main triggers of geosmin episodes. The results, obtained from 1 year of sampling, have made it possible to find out that: (i) land uses with a higher percentage of agricultural and industrial activity are related to high nutrient conditions in river water, (ii) these higher nutrient concentrations favor the development of benthic cyanobacteria, (iii) in late winter-early spring, when these cyanobacteria are subjected to both an imbalance of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen and soluble reactive phosphorus ratio, guided by a phosphorus concentration increase, and to cold-mild temperatures close to 10°C, they produce and release geosmin, and (iv) 1-2 weeks after cyanobacteria reach a high relative presence in the whole biofilm, an increase in geosmin concentration in water is observed, probably associated with the cyanobacteria detachment from cobbles and consequent cell lysis. These results could serve as a guide for drinking water treatment companies, indicating under what conditions they can expect the appearance of geosmin episodes and implement the appropriate treatment before it reaches consumers' tap.

Smokers' responses to being addressed when smoking in an outdoor voluntary smoke-free zone: An observational study

INTRODUCTION

Addressing smokers who smoke in a voluntary smoke-free area is vital to its successful implementation. Many people perceive barriers in addressing smokers due to fear of negative responses. Insights in actual responses are currently lacking.

METHODS

This is an observational field study at the voluntary smoke-free zone surrounding the Erasmus MC and two schools in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. In the first month after implementing the zone, Erasmus MC representatives performed rounds to address smokers who were smoking inside the zone. Four people observed addressors for two weeks then they also addressed the smokers. Smokers were classified as employees, patients, students, or other. We noted whether smokers were addressed directly or indirectly, and their verbal and behavioral responses to being addressed. Differences between the responses of the groups were assessed using chi-squared tests.

RESULTS

In all, 331 smokers were observed of whom 73% were addressed directly. Most verbal reactions were positive (46%) or neutral (18%). Employees were more likely to respond guiltily, whereas patients more often responded angrily than the others. After being addressed, the majority of smokers either extinguished their cigarette (41%) or left to continue smoking outside the smoke-free zone (34%).

CONCLUSIONS

Most smokers showed a positive or neutral response when being addressed about smoking inside the smoke-free zone and the majority adapted their behavior to comply with the policy. These findings may help decrease barriers for those in doubt about addressing smokers that fail to comply with a smoke-free policy.

Which signal modalities do cyclists prefer based on experiences in road traffic?

Objective: On-bike systems warning cyclists about critical situations are a promising approach to improve safety. The chosen warning modality might strongly influence whether the cyclist accepts the system. So far, cyclists' warning preferences have not been analyzed based on field data. They were only analyzed through web-based surveys or a simulator study without including the three most promising signal types (i.e., visual, auditory and vibro-tactile). This study aims to evaluate the signal preferences for transmitting information to cyclists based on experience of the signals in the field.Method: We conducted a field study where participants received signals of different signal types, i. e. visual, auditory and vibro-tactile signals, while cycling. After completing the course, all participants answered a questionnaire on their subjective experiences of the signals. The participants separately cycled a 10 km long route in road traffic. All participants received 12 signals per modality on predefined GPS coordinates. The course covered different environmental conditions like loud ambient noise, gravel roads or high visual load.Results: The data of 55 participants was analyzed. The participants chose the auditory and vibro-tactile signal over the visual signal. When asked, they significantly preferred an auditory warning to the other two signal types. The participants rated the auditory signal as most urgent and frequently associated it with warnings. Participants reported the visual signal as distracting from the cycling task and the vibro-tactile signals as difficult to distinguish from surface related vibrations.Conclusion: The advantages of different signal modalities can be applied to develop information transmission systems in the cycling context. Our results show that the signal types have inherent qualities which may fit into different areas of application. This study highlights that the choice of a warning modality needs to be balanced on a combination of noticeability, criticality and personal preference.

Weather Sensing in an Urban Environment with the Use of a UAV and WebRTC-Based Platform: A Pilot Study

Thanks to IoT, Internet access, and low-cost sensors, it has become possible to increase the number of weather measuring points; hence, the density of the deployment of sources that provide weather data for the needs of large recipients, for example, weather web services or smart city management systems, has also increased. This paper presents a flying weather station that carries out measurements of two weather factors that are typically included in weather stations (ambient temperature and relative humidity), an often included weather factor (atmospheric pressure), and a rarely included one (ultraviolet index). In our solution, the measurements are supplemented with a visual observation of present weather phenomena. The flying weather station is built on a UAV and WebRTC-based universal platform proposed in our previous paper. The complete, fully operational flying weather station was evaluated in field studies. Experiments were conducted during a 6-month period on days having noticeably different weather conditions. Results show that weather data coming from the flying weather station were equal (with a good approximation) to weather data obtained from the reference weather station. When compared to the weather stations described in the literature (both stationary weather stations and mobile ones), the proposed solution achieved better accuracy than the other weather stations based on low-cost sensors.