Determination of thermal diffusivity in papaya pulp as a function of maturation stage

In order to determine the penetration of the thermal wave in the papaya fruit pulp (Carica papaya L.), cv. Golden, thermal diffusivity of the pulp was obtained measuring temperature at four different depths. Measurements were carried out initially with the fruit on the first stage of maturity. The changes of the thermal diffusivity were expressed as a function of ripening. A temporal decrease of the thermal diffusivity was observed. Chemical (pH, soluble solids and total titratable acidity) and physical (pulp firmness) properties were measured as well and the results were compared to the thermal diffusivity change.

Evolution and cellular function of monothiol glutaredoxins: involvement in iron-sulphur cluster assembly

A number of bacterial species, mostly proteobacteria, possess monothiol glutaredoxins homologous to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial protein Grx5, which is involved in iron–sulphur cluster synthesis. Phylogenetic profiling is used to predict that bacterial monothiol glutaredoxins also participate in the iron–sulphur cluster (ISC) assembly machinery, because their phylogenetic profiles are similar to the profiles of the bacterial homologues of yeast ISC proteins. High evolutionary cooccurrence is observed between the Grx5 homologues and the homologues of the Yah1 ferredoxin, the scaffold proteins Isa1 and Isa2, the frataxin protein Yfh1 and the Nfu1 protein. This suggests that a specific functional interaction exists between these ISC machinery proteins. Physical interaction analyses using low-definition protein docking predict the formation of strong and specific complexes between Grx5 and several components of the yeast ISC machinery. Two-hybrid analysis has confirmed the in vivo interaction between Grx5 and Isa1. Sequence comparison techniques and cladistics indicate that the other two monothiol glutaredoxins of S. cerevisiae, Grx3 and Grx4, have evolved from the fusion of a thioredoxin gene with a monothiol glutaredoxin gene early in the eukaryotic lineage, leading to differential functional specialization. While bacteria do not contain these chimaeric glutaredoxins, in many eukaryotic species Grx5 and Grx3/4-type monothiol glutaredoxins coexist in the cell.

The Dynamics of Force Fluctuations in Shear Granular Flows

Tämän työn tavoitteena oli tutkia rakeisen materiaalin kinematiikkaa ja rakentaa koelaitteisto rakeisen materiaalin leikkausjännitysvirtauksien tutkimiseen. Kokeellisessa osassa on keskitytty sisäisiin voimaheilahteluihin ja niiden ymmärtämiseen. Teoriaosassa on käyty läpi rakeisen materiaalin yleisiä ominaisuuksia ja lisäksi on esitetty kaksi eri tapaa mallintaa fysikaalisien ominaisuuksien heilahteluja rakeisessa materiaalissa. Nämä kaksi esitettyä mallinnusmenetelmää ovat skalaarinen q-malli ja simulointi. Skalaarinen q-malli määrittelee jokaiseen yksittäiseen rakeeseen kohdistuvan jännityksen, rakeen ollessa osa 2- tai 3-dimensionaalista asetelmaa. Tämän mallin perusidea on kuvata jännityksien epähomogeenisuutta, joka johtuu rakeiden satunnaisasettelusta. Simulointimallinnus perustuu event-driven algoritmiin, missä systeemin dynamiikkaa kuvataan yksittäisillä partikkelien törmäyksillä. Törmäyksien vaiheet ratkaistiin käyttämällä liikemääräyhtälöitä ja restituution määritelmää. Teoriaosuudessa käytiin vielä pieniltä osin läpi syitä jännitysheilahteluihin ja rakeisen materiaalin lukkiintumiseen. Tutkimuslaitteistolla tutkittiin rakeisen materiaalin käyttäytymistä rengasmaisessa leikkausjännitysvirtauksessa. Tutkimusosuuden päätavoitteena oli mitata partikkelien kosketuksista ja törmäyksistä johtuvia hetkellisiä voimaheilahteluja rengastilavuuden pohjalta. Rakeisena materiaalina tutkimuksessa käytettiin teräskuulia. Jännityssignaali ajan funktiona osoittaa suurta heilahtelua, joka voi olla jopa kertalukua keskiarvosta suurempaa. Tällainen suuren amplitudin omaava heilahtelu on merkittävä haittapuoli yleisesti rakeisissa materiaaleissa käytettyjen jatkuvuusmallien kanssa. Tällainen heilahtelu tekee käytetyt jatkuvuusmallit epäpäteviksi. Yleisellä tasolla jännityksien todennäköisyysjakauma on yhtäpitävä skalaarisen q-mallin tuloksien kanssa. Molemmissa tapauksissa todennäköisyysjakaumalla on eksponentiaalinen muoto.

Comparison of electrical nerve stimulation, electrical muscle stimulation and magnetic nerve stimulation to assess the neuromuscular function of the plantar flexor muscles.

INTRODUCTION: As it might lead to less discomfort, magnetic nerve stimulation (MNS) is increasingly used as an alternative to electrical stimulation methods. Yet, MNS and electrical nerve stimulation (ENS) and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) have not been formally compared for the evaluation of plantar flexor neuromuscular function. METHODS: We quantified plantar flexor neuromuscular function with ENS, EMS and MNS in 10 volunteers in fresh and fatigued muscles. Central alterations were assessed through changes in voluntary activation level (VAL) and peripheral function through changes in M-wave, twitch and doublet (PS100) amplitudes. Discomfort associated with 100-Hz paired stimuli delivered with each method was evaluated on a 10-cm visual analog scale. RESULTS: VAL, agonist and antagonist M-wave amplitudes and PS100 were similar between the different methods in both fresh and fatigued states. Potentiated peak twitch was lower in EMS compared to ENS, whereas no difference was found between ENS and MNS for any parameter. Discomfort associated with MNS (1.5 ± 1.4 cm) was significantly less compared to ENS (5.5 ± 1.9 cm) and EMS (4.2 ± 2.6 cm) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: When PS100 is used to evaluate neuromuscular properties, MNS, EMS and ENS can be used interchangeably for plantar flexor neuromuscular function assessment as they provide similar evaluation of central and peripheral factors in unfatigued and fatigued states. Importantly, electrical current spread to antagonist muscles was similar between the three methods while discomfort from MNS was much less compared to ENS and EMS. MNS may be potentially employed to assess neuromuscular function of plantar flexor muscles in fragile populations.

Fluid flow processes at basin scale

S u b s u r face fluid flow plays a significant role in many geologic processes and is increasingly being studied in the scale of sedimentary basins and geologic time perspective. Many economic resources such as petroleum and mineral deposits are products of basin scale fluid flow operating over large periods of time. Such ancient flow systems can be studied through analysis of diagenetic alterations and fluid inclusions to constrain physical and chemical conditions of fluids and rocks during their paleohy d r og e o l ogic evolution. Basin simulation models are useful to complement the paleohy d r og e o l ogic record preserved in the rocks and to derive conceptual models on hydraulic basin evolution and generation of economic resources. Different types of fluid flow regimes may evo l ve during basin evolution. The most important with respect to flow rates and capacity for transport of solutes and thermal energy is gr avitational fluid flow driven by the topographic configuration of a basin. Such flow systems require the basin to be elevated above sea level. Consolidational fluid flow is the principal fluid migration process in basins below sea level, caused by loading of compressible rocks. Flow rates of such systems are several orders of magnitude below topogr a p hy driven flow. Howeve r, consolidation may create significant fluid ove rpressure. Episodic dewatering of ove rpressured compart m e n t s m ay cause sudden fluid release with elevated flow velocities and may cause a transient local thermal and chemical disequilibrium betwe e n fluid and rock. This paper gives an ove rv i ew on subsurface fluid flow processes at basin scale and presents examples related to the Pe n e d è s basin in the central Catalan continental margin including the offshore Barcelona half-graben and the compressive South-Pyrenean basin.

Beaming into the rat world: enabling real-time intereaction between rat and human each at their own scale

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) typically generates the illusion in participants that they are in the displayed virtual scene where they can experience and interact in events as if they were really happening. Teleoperator (TO) systems place people at a remote physical destination embodied as a robotic device, and where typically participants have the sensation of being at the destination, with the ability to interact with entities there. In this paper, we show how to combine IVR and TO to allow a new class of application. The participant in the IVR is represented in the destination by a physical robot (TO) and simultaneously the remote place and entities within it are represented to the participant in the IVR. Hence, the IVR participant has a normal virtual reality experience, but where his or her actions and behaviour control the remote robot and can therefore have physical consequences. Here, we show how such a system can be deployed to allow a human and a rat to operate together, but the human interacting with the rat on a human scale, and the rat interacting with the human on the rat scale. The human is represented in a rat arena by a small robot that is slaved to the human"s movements, whereas the tracked rat is represented to the human in the virtual reality by a humanoid avatar. We describe the system and also a study that was designed to test whether humans can successfully play a game with the rat. The results show that the system functioned well and that the humans were able to interact with the rat to fulfil the tasks of the game. This system opens up the possibility of new applications in the life sciences involving participant observation of and interaction with animals but at human scale.

Assessing positive mental health in people with chronic physical health problems: correlations with socio-demographic variables and physical health status

Background: A holistic perspective on health implies giving careful consideration to the relationship between physical and mental health. In this regard the present study sought to determine the level of Positive Mental Health (PMH) among people with chronic physical health problems, and to examine the relationship between the observed levels of PMH and both physical health status and socio-demographic variables. Methods: The study was based on the Multifactor Model of Positive Mental Health (Lluch, 1999), which comprises six factors: Personal Satisfaction (F1), Prosocial Attitude (F2), Self-control (F3), Autonomy (F4), Problem-solving and Self-actualization (F5), and Interpersonal Relationship Skills (F6). The sample comprised 259 adults with chronic physical health problems who were recruited through a primary care center in the province of Barcelona (Spain). Positive mental health was assessed by means of the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire (Lluch, 1999). Results: Levels of PMH differed, either on the global scale or on specific factors, in relation to the following variables: age: global PMH scores decreased with age (r=-0.129; p=0.038); b) gender: men scored higher on F1 (t=2.203; p=0.028) and F4 (t=3.182; p=0.002), while women scored higher on F2 (t -3.086; p=0.002) and F6 (t=-2.744; p=0.007); c) number of health conditions: the fewer the number of health problems the higher the PMH score on F5 (r=-0.146; p=0.019); d) daily medication: polymedication patients had lower PMH scores, both globally and on various factors; e) use of analgesics: occasional use of painkillers was associated with higher PMH scores on F1 (t=-2.811; p=0.006). There were no significant differences in global PMH scores according to the type of chronic health condition. The only significant difference in the analysis by factors was that patients with hypertension obtained lower PMH scores on the factor Autonomy (t=2.165; p=0.032). Conclusions: Most people with chronic physical health problems have medium or high levels of PMH. The variables that adversely affect PMH are old age, polypharmacy and frequent consumption of analgesics. The type of health problem does not influence the levels of PMH. Much more extensive studies with samples without chronic pathology are now required in order to be able to draw more robust conclusions.

Beaming into the rat world: enabling real-time intereaction between rat and human each at their own scale

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) typically generates the illusion in participants that they are in the displayed virtual scene where they can experience and interact in events as if they were really happening. Teleoperator (TO) systems place people at a remote physical destination embodied as a robotic device, and where typically participants have the sensation of being at the destination, with the ability to interact with entities there. In this paper, we show how to combine IVR and TO to allow a new class of application. The participant in the IVR is represented in the destination by a physical robot (TO) and simultaneously the remote place and entities within it are represented to the participant in the IVR. Hence, the IVR participant has a normal virtual reality experience, but where his or her actions and behaviour control the remote robot and can therefore have physical consequences. Here, we show how such a system can be deployed to allow a human and a rat to operate together, but the human interacting with the rat on a human scale, and the rat interacting with the human on the rat scale. The human is represented in a rat arena by a small robot that is slaved to the human"s movements, whereas the tracked rat is represented to the human in the virtual reality by a humanoid avatar. We describe the system and also a study that was designed to test whether humans can successfully play a game with the rat. The results show that the system functioned well and that the humans were able to interact with the rat to fulfil the tasks of the game. This system opens up the possibility of new applications in the life sciences involving participant observation of and interaction with animals but at human scale.

Childhood sexual and physical abuse: age at exposure modulates impact on functional outcome in early psychosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests a relationship between exposure to trauma during childhood and functional impairments in psychotic patients. However, the impact of age at the time of exposure has been understudied in early psychosis (EP) patients. METHOD: Two hundred and twenty-five patients aged 18-35 years were assessed at baseline and after 2, 6, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months of treatment. Patients exposed to sexual and/or physical abuse (SPA) were classified according to age at the time of first exposure (Early SPA: before age 11 years; Late SPA: between ages 12 and 15 years) and then compared to patients who were not exposed to such trauma (Non-SPA). The functional level in the premorbid phase was measured with the Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS) and with the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale and the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) during follow-up. RESULTS: There were 24.8% of patients with a documented history of SPA. Late SPA patients were more likely to be female (p = 0.010). Comparison with non-SPA patients revealed that: (1) both Early and Late SPA groups showed poorer premorbid social functioning during early adolescence, and (2) while patients with Early SPA had poorer functional level at follow-up with lower GAF (p = 0.025) and lower SOFAS (p = 0.048) scores, Late SPA patients did not. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a link between exposure to SPA and the later impairment of social functioning before the onset of the disease. EP patients exposed to SPA before age 12 may present long-lasting functional impairment, while patients exposed at a later age may improve in this regard and have a better functional outcome.

Thyroid function in the elderly and sex hormones in elderly men: reference intervals and associations with health

Aims: The aims were to create clinically feasible reference intervals for thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) and to analyze associations between thyroid function and self-rated health, neuropsychiatric symptoms, depression and dementia in the elderly. The second aim was also to establish reference intervals for sex hormones and to analyze associations between sex hormone levels and self-rated health, symptoms, depression and dementia in elderly men. Subjects and methods: The study population comprised 1252 subjects aged 65 years or over, living in the municipality of Lieto, south-western Finland. Self-rated health, life satisfaction, symptoms, depression, and dementia were assessed with specific questions, clinical examination and tools such as the Zung Self-report Depression Scale and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Independent variables were dichotomized, and associations of these variables with TSH, FT4 or sex hormone levels were assessed. Levels of TSH and FT4 in thyroid disease–free women and women treated with thyroxine were also compared. Results: Elevated concentrations of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) or thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) were found to have a marked effect on the upper reference limit for TSH among women, who were thyroid antibody positive more higher than suggested in several recent guidelines. After age adjustment, there were no associations between TSH levels and self-rated health, life satisfaction, or most neuropsychiatric symptoms in the thyroid disease-free population. Although women with thyroxine treatment for primary hypothyroidism had far higher TSH levels than thyroid disease-free women, there were no differences between thyroid-disease free women and women with stable thyroxine treatment regarding self-rated health, life satisfaction or symptoms. Age had a significant positive association with luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle 2 practice, one range in men aged 65 years or over can be used for T, E2 and FSH measured with the AutoDelfia method, but two separate reference intervals should be used for fT, LH and SHBG. After adjustment for age, higher levels of T and fT were associated with better self-rated health (SRH) in the reference population. After adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI), there were no associations between sex hormone concentrations and self-rated health, life satisfaction or most symptoms in concentration. Conclusion: Age-specific reference intervals were derived for thyroid function and sex hormones based on comprehensive data from a community-dwelling population with a high participation rate. The results do not support the need to decrease the upper reference limit for TSH or to lower the optimal TSH target in levothyroxine treatment in older adults, as recommended in recent guidelines. Older age or being overweight symptoms among elderly men. The associations of single symptoms with T levels were inconsistent among elderly men, although the association of low T level with diagnosed depression might be clinically significant.

Effect of aerobic exercise on skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and function in older adults

Regular aerobic exercise training, which is touted as a way to ameliorate metabolic diseases, increases aerobic capacity. Aerobic capacity usually declines with advanced age. The decline in aerobic capacity is typically associated by a decrease in the quality of skeletal muscle. At the molecular level, this decreased quality comes in part from perturbations in skeletal muscle mitochondria. Of particular is a decrease in the total amount of mitochondria that occupy the skeletal muscle volume. What is not well established is if this decrease in mitochondrial content is due to inactive lifestyle or the process of aging. Herein, the work of the thesis shows a clear connection between mitochondrial content and aerobic capacity. This indicates that active individuals with higher VChmax levels also contain higher volumes of mitochondria inside their muscle as opposed to sedentary counterparts who have lower levels of mitochondrial content. Upon taking these previously sedentary individuals and entering them into an aerobic exercise intervention, they are able to recover their mitochondrial content as well as function to similar levels of lifelong athletes of the same age. Furthermore, the results of this thesis show that mitochondrial content and function also correlate with exercise efficiency. If one is more efficient, he/she is able to expend less energy for a similar power output. Furthermore, individuals who increase in efficiency also increase in the ability to oxidize and utilize fat during pro-longed exercise. This increased reliance on fat after the intervention is associated with an increased amount of mitochondria, particularly in the intermyofibrillar region of skeletal muscle. Therefore, elderly adults who were once sedentary were able to recover mitochondrial content and function and are able to reap other health benefits from regular aerobic exercise training. Aging per se does not seem to be the culprit that will lead to metabolic diseases but rather it seems to be a lack of physical activity. -- Un entraînement sportif d'endurance, connu pour réduire le risque de développer des maladies métaboliques, augmente notre capacité aérobie. La capacité aérobie diminue généralement avec l'âge. Ce déclin est typiquement associé d'une diminution de la qualité du muscle squelettique. Au niveau moléculaire, cette diminution est due à des perturbations dans les mitochondries du muscle squelettique,, ce qui conduit à une diminution de la quantité totale des mitochondries présentes dans le muscle squelettique. Il n'a pas encore été établi si cette diminution de la teneur mitochondriale est due à un mode de vie sédentaire ou au processus du vieillissement. Ce travail de thèse montre un lien clair entre le contenu mitochondrial et la capacité aérobie. Il indique que des personnes âgées actives, avec des niveaux de V02max plus élevés, possèdent également un volume plus élevé de mitochondries dans leurs muscles en comparaison à leurs homologues sédentaires. En prenant des individus sédentaires et leur faisant pratiquer une activité physique aérobie, il est possible d'accroître leur contenu de même que leur fonction mitochondriale à des niveaux similaires à ceux d'athlètes du même âge ayant pratiqué une activité physique tout au long de leur vie. De plus, les résultats de ce travail démontrent que le contenu et la fonction mitochondriale sont en corrélation avec l'efficiscience lors d'exercice physique. En agumentant l'effiscience, les personnes sont alors capables de dépenser moins d'énergie pour une puissance d'exercice similaire. Donc, un volume mitochondrial accru dans le muscle squelettique, associé à une fonction mitochondriale améliorée, est associté à une augmentation de l'effiscience. En outre, les personnes qui augmentent leur effiscience, augmentent aussi leur capacité à oxyder les graisses durant l'exercice prolongé. Une augmentation du recours au graisses après l'intervention est associée à une quantité accrue de mitochondries, en particulier dans la région inter-myofibrillaire du muscle squelettique. Par conséquent, les personnes âgées autrefois sédentaires sont en mesure de récupérer leur contenu et leur fonction mitochondriale ainsi que d'autres avantages pour la santé grâce à un entraînement aérobie régulier. Le vieillissement en soi ne semble donc pas être le coupable conduisant aux maladies métaboliques qui semblent plutôt être lié à un manque d'activité physique.

Response of the Thermal Conductivity as a Function of Water Content of a Burnt Mediterranean Loam Soil

The purpose of this research is to explore the variability on the soil thermal conductivity -λ- after a prescribe fire, and to assess the effects of the ashes on the heat transfer once it"s were incorporated into the soil matrix. Sampling plot was located in the Montgrí Massif (NE of Spain). A set of 42 soil samples between surface and 5 cm depth was collected before and after the fire. To characterize the soil chemical and physical variables were analyzed. To determine the vari-ability on the soil λ a dry-out curve per scenario (before and after fire) was determined. SoilRho® method based on ASTM D-5334-08 which was validated by LabFerrer was used. Soil thermal conductivity has shown changes in their values. Indeed, in all moisture scenarios the values of soil λ decreased after soil was burnt. The critical point in the rela-tionship ϴ (λ) for the soil after fire which always was stronger than soil before to be burnt. Soil with"white" ashes showed a high thermal conductivity. An X-Ray diffractometry analysis allowed to clarify and to verify these results. To sum up, we could say that thermal conductivity presents changes when the scenario changes, i.e. before and after to be burnt. On the other hand, the volume of ashes incorporated on the soil increased the differences between no burnt and burnt soil, showing even some improvements on the heat transfer when water content started to govern the process.

Childhood sexual and physical abuse : age at exposure modulates impact on functional outcome in early psychosis patients

Introduction : La littérature suggère un lien entre l'exposition à des expériences traumatiques durant l'enfance et des déficits dans le niveau de fonctionnement chez des patients souffrant de psychose. Par contre, l'impact de l'âge au moment de l'exposition à ces expériences n'a pas été investigué chez des patients dans leur phase précoce de la psychose. Méthodes : Deux cents vingt-cinq patients âgés entre 18 et 35 ans ont été évalués au moment de leur entrée dans un programme thérapeutique spécialisé pour la psychose débutante (TIPP), et après 2, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 et 36 mois de traitement. Les patients exposés à des abus sexuel et/ou physiques (SPA) ont été classifiés selon l'âge au moment de la première exposition (Early-SPA : avant 11 ans d'âge; Late-SPA : entre 12 et 15 ans d'âge) et ils ont été comparés à des patients qui n'ont jamais été exposés à une telle expérience (Non-SPA). Le niveau de fonctionnement dans la phase premorbide a été mesuré avec la Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS) et avec les échelles Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) et Social and Occupational Functionning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) durant le suivi thérapeutique. Résultats : 24.8 % des patients ont été exposés à SPA. Les patients dans le groupe Late-SPA étaient plus souvent des femmes (p=0.010). Les comparaisons avec les patients dans le groupe Non-SPA ont révélé que : (1) Les patients dans le groupe Early et Late-SPA ont montré un moins bon niveau de fonctionnement social premorbide durant l'adolescence précoce, et (2) alors que les patients dans le groupe Early-SPA ont présenté un moins bon niveau de fonctionnement durant tout le suivi selon les scores de GAF (p=0.025) et SOFAS (p=0.048), les patients dans le groupe Late-SPA n'ont pas montré telles différences avec le groupe non exposé. Conclusion : Nos résultats suggèrent un lien entre l'exposition à SPA et une altération ultérieure de niveau de fonctionnement social, avant l'apparition de la maladie. Les patients dans leur phase précoce de la psychose exposés à SPA avant l'âge de 12 ans ont des altérations fonctionnelles durables, alors que les patients exposés à SPA plus tardivement semblent s'améliorer à ce niveau et montrent une meilleure capacité de récupération.

Translation and psychometric evaluation of a French version of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reliability and the factor structure of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale - French version. BACKGROUND: The patient's perspective is essential when assessing risk for adverse events at hospital discharge. Developed in the USA, the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale is the only instrument that measures an individual's self-perception of readiness before leaving the hospital. A French version of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale was developed and validated. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A convenience sample of 265 older inpatients from four medical units was selected. The translation and cultural adaptation of the scale involved experts in gerontology and the French language and included back translation. The items were semantically evaluated and pretested in 10 older inpatients. The scale's psychometric properties were internally validated by using confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses. Reliability was assessed by examining the internal consistency of its items. RESULTS: Goodness-of-fit indices of the confirmatory factor analyses were not adequate, but reliability was acceptable (Cronbach's α = 0·80). Exploratory factor analysis of the French version provided results close to those described for the English version, with three similar subscales (physical and emotional readiness, coping with medical treatment and personal care), whereas the initially described Expected Support subscale was not identified in the French version. CONCLUSION: The Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale - French version appears to be partially consistent with its original English version, but requires additional adaptation to fully take into account the Swiss context and culture to achieve its original aim. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Assessing patient readiness for hospital discharge before leaving hospital could help nurses to improve the discharge planning process and achieve better patient preparedness and care coordination.

Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Function and Fatigability in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Fatigability increases while the capacity for mitochondrial energy production tends to decrease significantly with age. Thus, diminished mitochondrial function may contribute to higher levels of fatigability in older adults. METHODS: The relationship between fatigability and skeletal muscle mitochondrial function was examined in 30 participants aged 78.5 ± 5.0 years (47% female, 93% white), with a body mass index of 25.9 ± 2.7 kg/m(2) and usual gait-speed of 1.2 ± 0.2 m/s. Fatigability was defined using rating of perceived exertion (6-20 point Borg scale) after a 5-minute treadmill walk at 0.72 m/s. Phosphocreatine recovery in the quadriceps was measured using (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy and images of the quadriceps were captured to calculate quadriceps volume. ATPmax (mM ATP/s) and oxidative capacity of the quadriceps (ATPmax·Quadriceps volume) were calculated. Peak aerobic capacity (VO2peak) was measured using a modified Balke protocol. RESULTS: ATPmax·Quadriceps volume was associated with VO2peak and was 162.61mM ATP·mL/s lower (p = .03) in those with high (rating of perceived exertion ≥10) versus low (rating of perceived exertion ≤9) fatigability. Participants with high fatigability required a significantly higher proportion of VO2peak to walk at 0.72 m/s compared with those with low fatigability (58.7 ± 19.4% vs 44.9 ± 13.2%, p < .05). After adjustment for age and sex, higher ATPmax was associated with lower odds of having high fatigability (odds ratio: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.11-1.01, p = .05). CONCLUSIONS: Lower capacity for oxidative phosphorylation in the quadriceps, perhaps by contributing to lower VO2peak, is associated with higher fatigability in older adults.