Behavioral economics, wearable devices, and cooperative games: results from a population-based intervention to increase physical activity

Background: Health care literature supports the development of accessible interventions that integrate behavioral economics, wearable devices, principles of evidence-based behavior change, and community support. However, there are limited real-world examples of large scale, population-based, member-driven reward platforms. Subsequently, a paucity of outcome data exists and health economic effects remain largely theoretical. To complicate matters, an emerging area of research is defining the role of Superusers, the small percentage of unusually engaged digital health participants who may influence other members. Objective: The objective of this preliminary study is to analyze descriptive data from GOODcoins, a self-guided, free-to-consumer engagement and rewards platform incentivizing walking, running and cycling. Registered members accessed the GOODcoins platform through PCs, tablets or mobile devices, and had the opportunity to sync wearables to track activity. Following registration, members were encouraged to join gamified group challenges and compare their progress with that of others. As members met challenge targets, they were rewarded with GOODcoins, which could be redeemed for planet- or people-friendly products. Methods: Outcome data were obtained from the GOODcoins custom SQL database. The reporting period was December 1, 2014 to May 1, 2015. Descriptive self-report data were analyzed using MySQL and MS Excel. Results: The study period includes data from 1298 users who were connected to an exercise tracking device. Females consisted of 52.6% (n=683) of the study population, 33.7% (n=438) were between the ages of 20-29, and 24.8% (n=322) were between the ages of 30-39. 77.5% (n=1006) of connected and active members met daily-recommended physical activity guidelines of 30 minutes, with a total daily average activity of 107 minutes (95% CI 90, 124). Of all connected and active users, 96.1% (n=1248) listed walking as their primary activity. For members who exchanged GOODcoins, the mean balance was 4,000 (95% CI 3850, 4150) at time of redemption, and 50.4% (n=61) of exchanges were for fitness or outdoor products, while 4.1% (n=5) were for food-related items. Participants were most likely to complete challenges when rewards were between 201-300 GOODcoins. Conclusions: The purpose of this study is to form a baseline for future research. Overall, results indicate that challenges and incentives may be effective for connected and active members, and may play a role in achieving daily-recommended activity guidelines. Registrants were typically younger, walking was the primary activity, and rewards were mainly exchanged for fitness or outdoor products. Remaining to be determined is whether members were already physically active at time of registration and are representative of healthy adherers, or were previously inactive and were incentivized to change their behavior. As challenges are gamified, there is an opportunity to investigate the role of superusers and healthy adherers, impacts on behavioral norms, and how cooperative games and incentives can be leveraged across stratified populations. Study limitations and future research agendas are discussed.

Avaliação microbiológica e bromatológica da silagem ácida obtida de resíduos da indústria de filetagem de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

The experiment constituted in evaluating the acid silage prepared from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) filletage industry residues. This silage was prepared in a filetage industry through the residues milling and 5% of ascetic acid addition and stock piling in a period up to until 201 days. Storaged silages in a period of 7, 12, 22, 27, 41, 48, 61, 75, 84, 91, 96, 110, 140, 151, 181, 187 and 201dias were evaluated. Bromatologics analyses of rude protein(PB), etereal extract (EE), humidity (UM), ashes (CZ) and microbiological analyses of Salmonella, total coliforms, faecals and Escherichia coli of the storaged silages in a period of 7, 91 and 201 days were realized. The pH was evaluated in all the storaged periods. Differences (P > 0.05) in the substance of PB, EE, UM and CZ were not observed. A linear increase in PH was observed, being stabilizing in plateau of 4.74. In relation to the microbiological analysis the presence of Salmonella, total coliforms, faecals and E. Coli were not found. Was concluded that the acid silage gotten from tilapia filetage residues produced with the use of 5% ascetic acid can be stored during 201 days without having Salmonella, total coliforms and faecals proliferation.

Detecção de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em animais de uma comunidade rural do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

The rate of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was evaluated in equines, cats, dogs, poultry, pigs, cattle and sheep of farms in Eldorado, southern Mato Grosso do Sul. Blood samples were collected and sera were examined by the modified agglutination test (MAT), considering positives samples reactants with titers >= 25. Rates of reactor animals in the antibody detection test were: 22.89% (46/201) in poultry, 5.15% (20/388) in cattle, 47.61% (20/42) in dogs, 60.87% (14/23) in equines, 57.14% (8/14) in cats, 14.7% (5/34) in pigs. None of the sheep (0/14) were positive. High antibody rates were found in several species, a fact that raise concerns due to the possibility of risk to humans, once these animal species either share the same source of infection with humans or are food sources for them.

Straight and Offset Implant Placement under Axial and Nonaxial Loads in Implant-Supported Prostheses: Strain Gauge Analysis

Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to quantify strain development during axial and nonaxial loading using strain gauge analysis for three-element implant-supported FPDs, varying the arrangement of implants: straight line (L) and offset (O). Materials and Methods: Three Morse taper implants arranged in a straight line and three implants arranged in an offset configuration were inserted into two polyurethane blocks. Microunit abutments were screwed onto the implants, applying a 20 Ncm torque. Plastic copings were screwed onto the abutments, which received standard wax patterns cast in Co-Cr alloy (n = 10). Four strain gauges were bonded onto the surface of each block tangential to the implants. The occlusal screws of the superstructure were tightened onto microunit abutments using 10 Ncm and then axial and nonaxial loading of 30 Kg was applied for 10 seconds on the center of each implant and at 1 and 2 mm from the implants, totaling nine load application points. The microdeformations determined at the nine points were recorded by four strain gauges, and the same procedure was performed for all of the frameworks. Three loadings were made per load application point. The magnitude of microstrain on each strain gauge was recorded in units of microstrain (mu). The data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). Results: The configuration factor was statistically significant (p= 0.0004), but the load factor (p= 0.2420) and the interaction between the two factors were not significant (p= 0.5494). Tukey's test revealed differences between axial offset (mu) (183.2 +/- 93.64) and axial straight line (285.3 +/- 61.04) and differences between nonaxial 1 mm offset (201.0 +/- 50.24) and nonaxial 1 mm straight line (315.8 +/- 59.28). Conclusion: There was evidence that offset placement is capable of reducing the strain around an implant. In addition, the type of loading, axial force or nonaxial, did not have an influence until 2 mm.

DOCPAL resúmenes sobre población en América Latina: 61-001

Contiene resumenes bibliograficos de documentos sobre poblacion y temas relacionados que se producen en America Latina y el Caribe, publicados entre 1978-1981.

PLANINDEX: 61-001

Contiene resumenes bibliograficos de documentos sobre planificacion y desarrollo en America Latina, recogidos y procesados en el marco del Sistema de Informacion para la Planificacion en America Latina y el Caribe (INFOPLAN).

La mortalidad en la República Argentina según tablas de vida de 1914, 1946-48 y 1959-61

Incluye Bibliografía

La mortalidad de la República Argentina según tablas de vida de 1914, 1946-48 y 1959-61

Incluye Bibliografía

Detection of enterotoxin A in coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from nutrition students

Background: Staphylococcus is a clinically important genus because of its capacity to produce enterotoxins and to cause food poisoning. Staphylococci are the most frequent microorganisms of the skin and mucosal microbiota, with an estimated 20 to 40% of individuals carrying these bacteria on their hands or nose. Since nutrition professionals are involved in the handling and preparation of foods and are possible carriers of these bacteria, the objective of this study was to investigate the presence of Staphylococcus on the hands and in the nasal fossae of undergraduate nutrition students and to determine the enterotoxigenic capacity of these microorganisms. Methods and Findings: A total of 201 strains were isolated from the hands and nose of 61 nutrition students. Of these, 180 (89.5%) were identified as coagulasenegative staphylococci and 21 (10.5%) as S. aureus. Thirty-seven (18.4%) Staphylococcus isolates were producers of enterotoxin A. Toxin production was detected in 5 (19%) of the S. aureus isolates and in 31 (17.2%) of the coagulase-negative staphylococci. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a large number of enterotoxin-producing staphylococci on the hands and nose of nutrition students and professionals involved in the handling and preparations of foods. These findings indicate the need for adequate hygiene measures to prevent food poisoning. © iMedPub.

Delineation of specific management areas for coffee cultivation based on the soil-relief relationship and numerical classification

Predicting and mapping productivity areas allows crop producers to improve their planning of agricultural activities. The primary aims of this work were the identification and mapping of specific management areas allowing coffee bean quality to be predicted from soil attributes and their relationships to relief. The study area was located in the Southeast of the Minas Gerais state, Brazil. A grid containing a total of 145 uniformly spaced nodes 50 m apart was established over an area of 31. 7 ha from which samples were collected at depths of 0. 00-0. 20 m in order to determine physical and chemical attributes of the soil. These data were analysed in conjunction with plant attributes including production, proportion of beans retained by different sieves and drink quality. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) in combination with geostatistical data showed the attributes clay content and available iron to be the best choices for identifying four crop production environments. Environment A, which exhibited high clay and available iron contents, and low pH and base saturation, was that providing the highest yield (30. 4l ha-1) and best coffee beverage quality (61 sacks ha-1). Based on the results, we believe that multivariate analysis, geostatistics and the soil-relief relationships contained in the digital elevation model (DEM) can be effectively used in combination for the hybrid mapping of areas of varying suitability for coffee production. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York.