Food insecurity among adults residing in disadvantaged urban areas : potential health and dietary consequences

Objective: Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability or access to nutritionally-adequate, culturally-appropriate and safe foods. Food insecurity may result in inadequate dietary intakes, overweight or obesity and the development of chronic disease. Internationally, few studies have focused on the range of potential health outcomes related to food insecurity among adults residing in disadvantaged locations and no such Australian studies exist. The objective of this study was to investigate associations between food insecurity, socio-demographic and health factors and dietary intakes among adults residing in disadvantaged urban areas. Design: Data were collected by mail survey (n= 505, 53% response rate), which ascertained information about food security status, demographic characteristics (such as age, gender, household income, education) fruit and vegetable intakes, take-away and meat consumption, general health, depression and chronic disease. Setting: Disadvantaged suburbs of Brisbane city, Australia, 2009. Subjects: Individuals aged ≥ 20 years. Results: Approximately one-in-four households (25%) were food insecure. Food insecurity was associated with lower household income, poorer general health, increased healthcare utilisation and depression. These associations remained after adjustment for age, gender and household income. Conclusion: Food insecurity is prevalent in urbanised disadvantaged areas in developed countries such as Australia. Low-income households are at high risk of experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity may result in significant health burdens among the population, and this may be concentrated in socioeconomically-disadvantaged suburbs.

Potential dietary consquences of food insecurity among Australian adults residing in urbanised disadvantaged areas

Introduction: Food insecurity is the limited/uncertain availability, access to or ability to acquire nutritionally-adequate, culturallyrelevant and safe foods. Adults suffering from food insecurity are at risk of inadequate nutrient intakes or, paradoxically, overweight/ obesity and the development of chronic disease. Despite the global financial crisis and rising costs of living, there are few studies investigating the potential dietary consequences of food insecurity among the Australian population. This study examined whether food insecurity was associated with weight status and poorer intakes of fruits, vegetable and takeaway foods among adults residing in socioeconomically-disadvantaged urbanised areas. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a random sample of residents (n=1000) were selected from the most disadvantaged suburbs of Brisbane city (response rate 51%). Data were collected by postal questionnaire which ascertained information on sociodemographic information, household food security status, height, weight, fruit and vegetable intakes and takeaway consumption. Data were analysed using chi-square and logistic regression. Results: The overall prevalence of food insecurity was 31%. Food insecurity was not associated with weight status among men or women. Associations between food security status and potential dietary consequences differed for men and women. Among women, food security was not associated with intakes of fruit, vegetable or takeaway consumption. Contrastingly, among men food security was associated with vegetable intakes and consumption of takeaway food: men reporting food insecurity had lower intakes of vegetables and were more likely to consume takeaway foods compared to those that were food secure. Conclusion: Food security is an important public health issue in Australia and has potential dietary consequences that may adversely affect the health of food-insecure groups, most notably men residing in food-insecure households.

Potential health and dietary consequences of food insecurity among Australian adults residing in urbanised disadvantaged areas

Purpose: Food insecurity is the limited/uncertain availability or ability to acquire nutritionally-adequate, culturally-relevant and safe foods. Adults suffering from food insecurity are at risk of inadequate nutrient intakes or, paradoxically, overweight/obesity and the development of chronic disease. Despite the global financial crisis and rising costs of living, few studies have investigated the potential dietary and health consequences of food insecurity among the Australian population. This study examined whether food insecurity was associated with health behaviours and dietary intakes among adults residing in socioeconomically-disadvantaged urbanised areas. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a random sample of residents (n = 1000) were selected from the most disadvantaged suburbs of Brisbane city (response rate 51%). Data were collected by postal questionnaire which ascertained information on socio-demographic information, household food security, height, weight, frequency of healthcare utilisation, presence of chronic disease and intakes of fruit, vegetables and take-away. Data were analysed using logistic regression. Results/Findings: The prevalence of food insecurity was 25%. Those reporting food insecurity were two-to-three times more likely to have seen a general practitioner or been hospitalised within the previous 6 months. Furthermore, food insecurity was associated with a three-to-six-fold increase in the likelihood of experiencing depression. Food insecurity was associated with higher intakes of some take-away foods, however was not significantly associated with weight status or intakes of fruits or vegetables among this disadvantaged sample. Conclusion: Food insecurity has potential adverse health consequences that may result in significant health burdens among the population, and this may be concentrated in socioeconomically-disadvantaged suburbs.

Bioreactor for blood product production

The feasibility of ex vivo blood production is limited by both biological and engineering challenges. From an engineering perspective, these challenges include the significant volumes required to generate even a single unit of a blood product, as well as the correspondingly high protein consumption required for such large volume cultures. Membrane bioreactors, such as hollow fiber bioreactors (HFBRs), enable cell densities approximately 100-fold greater than traditional culture systems and therefore may enable a significant reduction in culture working volumes. As cultured cells, and larger molecules, are retained within a fraction of the system volume, via a semipermeable membrane it may be possible to reduce protein consumption by limiting supplementation to only this fraction. Typically, HFBRs are complex perfusion systems having total volumes incompatible with bench scale screening and optimization of stem cell-based cultures. In this article we describe the use of a simplified HFBR system to assess the feasibility of this technology to produce blood products from umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs). Unlike conventional HFBR systems used for protein manufacture, where cells are cultured in the extracapillary space, we have cultured cells in the intracapillary space, which is likely more compatible with the large-scale production of blood cell suspension cultures. Using this platform we direct HSPCs down the myeloid lineage, while targeting a 100-fold increase in cell density and the use of protein-free bulk medium. Our results demonstrate the potential of this system to deliver high cell densities, even in the absence of protein supplementation of the bulk medium.

Is there a place for pixels in our practice? Dietitians' attitudes towards the use of photographic dietary records within the nutrition care process

Photographic records of dietary intake (PhDRs) are an innovative method for the dietary assessment and may alleviate the burden of recording intake compared to traditional methods of recording intake. While the performance of PhDRs has been evaluated, no investigation into the application of this method had occurre within dietetic practice. This study examined the attitudes of dietitians towards the use of PhDRs in the provision of nutrition care. A web-based survey on the practices and beliefs with regards to technology use among Dietitians Association of Australia members was conducted in August 2011. Of the 87 dietitians who responded, 86% assessed the intakes of clients as part of individualised medical nutrition therapy, with the diet history the most common method used. The majority (91%) of dietitians surveyed believed that a PhDR would be of use in their current practice to estimate intake. Information contained in the PhDR would primarily be used to obtain a qualitative evaluation of diet (84%) or to supplement an existing assessment method (69%), as opposed to deriving an absolute measure of nutrient intake (31%). Most (87%) indicated that a PhDR would also be beneficial in both the delivery of the intervention and to evaluate and monitor goals and outcomes, while only 46% felt that a PhDR would assist in determining the nutrition diagnosis. This survey highlights the potential for the use of PhDRs within practice. Future endeavours lie in establishing resources which support the inclusion of PhDRs within the nutrition care process.

Complications related to therapeutic anticoagulation in total hip arthroplasty

Bleeding related wound complications cause significant morbidity in lower limb arthroplasty surgery. Patients who require therapeutic anticoagulation in the peri operative period are potentially at higher risk of these complications. This is a retrospective case control study reviewing all primary total hip replacements performed in a single center over a five year period and comparing outcomes of the patients on warfarin with a double-matched control group of patients not on warfarin. The warfarin group had significantly higher risk of deep joint infection (9% vs 2.2%), haematoma/ wound ooze (28% vs 4%) and superficial infection (13.5% vs 2.2%). Managing the total hip arthroplasty patient with therapeutic anticoagulation is a balance between the risk of thromboembolic disease and bleeding related complications. Improved understanding of this risk will better allow the patient to make an informed decision regarding their elective arthroplasty surgery.

Fiber Bragg grating strain modulation based on nonlinear string transverse force amplifier

The only effective method of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) strain modulation has been by changing the distance between its two fixed ends. We demonstrate an alternative being more sensitive to force based on the nonlinear amplification relationship between a transverse force applied to a stretched string and its induced axial force. It may improve the sensitivity and size of an FBG force sensor, reduce the number of FBGs needed for multi-axial force monitoring, and control the resonant frequency of an FBG accelerometer.

Static vertical displacement measurement of bridges using Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors

Vertical displacements are one of the most relevant parameters for structural health monitoring of bridges in both the short and long terms. Bridge managers around the globe are always looking for a simple way to measure vertical displacements of bridges. However, it is difficult to carry out such measurements. On the other hand, in recent years, with the advancement of fiber-optic technologies, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors are more commonly used in structural health monitoring due to their outstanding advantages including multiplexing capability, immunity of electromagnetic interference as well as high resolution and accuracy. For these reasons, using FBG sensors is proposed to develop a simple, inexpensive and practical method to measure vertical displacements of bridges. A curvature approach for vertical displacement measurements using curvature measurements is proposed. In addition, with the successful development of FBG tilt sensors, an inclination approach is also proposed using inclination measurements. A series of simulation tests of a full- scale bridge was conducted. It shows that both of the approaches can be implemented to determine vertical displacements for bridges with various support conditions, varying stiffness (EI) along the spans and without any prior known loading. These approaches can thus measure vertical displacements for most of slab-on-girder and box-girder bridges. Besides, the approaches are feasible to implement for bridges under various loading. Moreover, with the advantages of FBG sensors, they can be implemented to monitor bridge behavior remotely and in real time. A beam loading test was conducted to determine vertical displacements using FBG strain sensors and tilt sensors. The discrepancies as compared with dial gauges reading using the curvature and inclination approaches are 0.14mm (1.1%) and 0.41mm (3.2%), respectively. Further recommendations of these approaches for developments will also be discussed at the end of the paper.

Nutritional status and dietary intake of acute care patients : results from the Nutrition Care Day Survey 2010

Background & aims: One aim of the Australasian Nutrition Care Day Survey was to determine the nutritional status and dietary intake of acute care hospital patients. Methods: Dietitians from 56 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand completed a 24-h survey of nutritional status and dietary intake of adult hospitalised patients. Nutritional risk was evaluated using the Malnutrition Screening Tool. Participants ‘at risk’ underwent nutritional assessment using Subjective Global Assessment. Based on the International Classification of Diseases (Australian modification), participants were also deemed malnourished if their body mass index was <18.5 kg/m2. Dietitians recorded participants’ dietary intake at each main meal and snacks as 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of that offered. Results: 3122 patients (mean age: 64.6 ± 18 years) participated in the study. Forty-one percent of the participants were “at risk” of malnutrition. Overall malnutrition prevalence was 32%. Fifty-five percent of malnourished participants and 35% of well-nourished participants consumed ≤50% of the food during the 24-h audit. “Not hungry” was the most common reason for not consuming everything offered during the audit. Conclusion: Malnutrition and sub-optimal food intake is prevalent in acute care patients across hospitals in Australia and New Zealand and warrants appropriate interventions.

Preliminary study on the stability of highly sensitive fiber Bragg grating temperature sensors [对高灵敏光纤光栅温度传感器的稳定性的初探]

As a novel sensitive element and due to its advantages of immunity to electrical interference, distributed measurement, etc., fiber Bragg grating (FBG) has been researched widely. To realize the substitution of high accurate electronic temperature sensors, high sensitive FBG temperature sensors can be made by taking advantage of its characters of being sensitive to both temperature and strain. Although there are reports about high sensitive FBG temperature sensors, however, few about their stability have been done. We manufactured a high sensitive FBG temperature sensor, and put it together with an average FBG temperature sensor and an electronic crystal temperature sensor into a stainless steel container filled by water to observe the room temperature change. By comparing their results in two weeks, we have found out that: although the high sensitive FBG temperature sensor is in much better agreement with the electronic crystal sensor than the average FBG sensor is, it has occurred some small drifts. Because the drifts appeared in the process of further pulling the FBG, it might be a result of the slip of the FBG fixing points. This contributes some good experiences to the application of FBG in high accuracy temperature measurement.

High-sensitivity fiber Bragg grating temperature sensor at high temperature [一种高温下高灵敏光纤光栅温度传感器的制作方法]

A method of making full use of the durable strain which fiber Bragg grating (FBG) can undertake is presented, which hugely improves the sensitivities of FBG temperature sensors at high temperature. When a sensor is manufactured at room temperature, its FBG should be given a pre-relaxing length according to the temperature it is asked to measure; once the temperature rise to the asked one, its FBG starts to be stretched and it starts to work with high sensitivity. The relationship between the pre-relaxing length and the working temperature is analyzed. In experiments, when the pre-relaxing lengths are 0.2mm、0.5mm、0.6mm, the working temperatures rise 25℃、50℃、61℃, respectively, and the sensitivities are almost the same (675pm/℃). The facts that the experimental results agree well with the theoretical analyses verify this method’s validity.

A fiber Bragg grating temperature sensor with adjustable sensitivity [一种灵敏度系数可调的光纤光栅温度传感器]

As a novel sensing element, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is sensitive to both temperature and strain. Basing on this character, high sensitivity FBG temperature sensor can be made. However, as a result of the strain limit of the fiber, the temperature range it can endure is quite narrow. This drawback limits its application and complicates its storage and transport. We design and manufacture a FBG temperature sensor with tunable sensitivity. By tuning its sensitivity, its temperature range is changed, which enlarges its application field, solves the problem of storage and transport, and brighten the future of FBG in temperature measurement. In experiment, by changing the fixing position of the bimetal we tuned the sensitivity of the high sensitivity FBG sensor to different values (-47 pm/℃，-97.7 pm/℃，-153.3 pm/℃).

The application of fiber Bragg grating sensor to high precision temperature measurement [基于光纤光栅的高精度测温传感器研究]

Basing on the character that Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) is sensitive to both temperature and strain, by using Al and Fe-Ni alloy’s bimetal structure, we successfully design and manufacture a high accuracy FBG temperature sensor for earthquake premonition. Furthermore, we analyze the accuracy of the FBG sensors with enhanced sensitivity for the first time, and get its accuracy is up to ±0.05℃ with highest resolution ever in all FBG temperature sensors (0.0014℃/pm). This work experimentally proves the feasibility of using FBG in the earthquake premonition monitoring, and builds the foundation for the application of optic technology in earthquake premonition monitoring.

Shahejie−Shahejie/Guantao/Wumishan and Carboniferous/Permian Coal−Paleozoic Total Petroleum Systems in the Bohaiwan Basin, China (based on geologic studies for the 2000 World Energy Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey)

This report discusses the geologic framework and petroleum geology used to assess undiscovered petroleum resources in the Bohaiwan basin province for the 2000 World Energy Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey. The Bohaiwan basin in northeastern China is the largest petroleum-producing region in China. Two total petroleum systems have been identified in the basin. The first, the Shahejie–Shahejie/Guantao/Wumishan Total Petroleum System, involves oil and gas generated from mature pods of lacustrine source rock that are associated with six major rift-controlled subbasins. Two assessment units are defined in this total petroleum system: (1) a Tertiary lacustrine assessment unit consisting of sandstone reservoirs interbedded with lacustrine shale source rocks, and (2) a pre-Tertiary buried hills assessment unit consisting of carbonate reservoirs that are overlain unconformably by Tertiary lacustrine shale source rocks. The second total petroleum system identified in the Bohaiwan basin is the Carboniferous/Permian Coal–Paleozoic Total Petroleum System, a hypothetical total petroleum system involving natural gas generated from multiple pods of thermally mature coal beds. Low-permeability Permian sandstones and possibly Carboniferous coal beds are the reservoir rocks. Most of the natural gas is inferred to be trapped in continuous accumulations near the center of the subbasins. This total petroleum system is largely unexplored and has good potential for undiscovered gas accumulations. One assessment unit, coal-sourced gas, is defined in this total petroleum system.

Total Dik - Transmedia Concept development

Total Dik! is a collaborative project between the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Queensland Theatre Company (QTC). Total Dik! explores transmedia storytelling in live performance from concept development to delivery and builds on works, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, (Forrester2012), Hotel Modern’s Kamp (2005) and God’s Beard (2012) that use visual art, puppetry, music and film. The project’s first iteration enabled an interrogation of the integration of media-rich elements with live performers in a theatrical environment. Performative transmedia storytelling draws on the tenets of convergent media theory developed by Jenkins (2007, 2012), Dena (2010) and Philips (2012). This exploratory work, juxtaposing transmedia storytelling techniques with live performance, draws on Samuel Becket’s challenges to theatre orthodoxy, and touches on Brechtian notions of alienation through ‘sleight-of-hand’ or processual unpacking and deconstruction during performance. Total Dik! blends a convergence of technologies, models, green screen capture, and live dimensions of performance in one narrative allowing the work’s creators to test new combinations of transmedia storytelling techniques on a traditional performance platform.