Non-institutionalized nonagenarians health-related quality of life and nutritional status: is there a link between them?

Introduction: Nonagenarian population, clearly increasing, shows different characteristics from the rest of elderly people. Health-related quality of life is a way to study population health in physical, psychological and social dimensions. Objectives: To examine the relationship between nutritional status and health-related quality of life in a group of free-living nonagenarians. Differences with octogenarians were also studied. Methods: Within Villanueva Older Health Study, 20 non-institutionalised people (92.5±3.5 years; 80% women) make the nonagenarian subsample. Nutritional risk was assessed by Mininutritional Assessment questionnaire, dietary intake by a 24-hour dietary recall and health-related quality of life by EuroQoL-5D questionnaire. SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Results: 40% nonagenarians were at risk of malnutrition. Dietary assessment showed magnesium, zinc, potassium, folic acid, vitamin D and vitamin E deficiencies. Problems in mobility were more frequently reported (80%). EQ-5Dindex was associated with MNA (p<0.05). Self-care dimension was associated with calcium and niacin (p<0.05), retinol and cholesterol (p<0.01) intake. Usual activities dimension was associated with niacin (p<0.01) and cholesterol(p<0.05) intake. Pain/discomfort dimension was associated with protein (p<0.01), energy, selenium and niacin (p<0.05) intake. Anxiety/depression was associated with protein(p<0.01) and selenium (p<0.05) intake. Conclusions: Risk of malnutrition is a factor associated to health-related quality of life. Results suggest that energy and some nutrient intakes could be possibly associated to health-related quality of life but further research on this influence is required.

External linkages, innovation and the small and medium sized enterprise: the role and effectiveness of public technology policy in Portugal.

Doutoramento em Economia.

Health-related quality of life and willingness to pay per quality-adjusted life-Year threshold—A study in patients with epilepsy in China

Objectives
To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and willingness to pay (WTP) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) amount of patients with epilepsy in China.
Methods
Adults with epilepsy and a healthy control were recruited in two tertiary hospitals in China. Participants completed two indirect utility elicitation instruments (Quality of Well-being Scale-self administered version and EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire) and a WTP questionnaire. Correlations between sociodemographic or epilepsy-specific variables (age of epilepsy onset, duration of epilepsy, seizure types, types of antiepileptic drug treatment, etc.) and HRQOL or WTP/QALY were assessed to identify the candidate predictor. Multiple linear regression models were adopted to investigate the predictive performances of identified candidate predictors. Data analyses were performed on SPSS 20.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL).
Results
For utilities of both the Quality of Well-being Scale-self administered version and the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire, patients with epilepsy had statistically lower values than did the control group (P < 0.0001). In terms of the WTP/month, the percentage of WTP accounting for the monthly income and the WTP/QALY values from the epilepsy group were substantially higher than those from the control group (P < 0.0001).
View the MathML sourceWTP/QALY=12×WTPMonth1−Utility(CurrentHealth)
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The multiple linear regression model identified working status (P = 0.05), seizure types (P = 0.022), income (P = 0.006), and self-rating health state (P < 0.05) as predictors of HRQOL while income (P = 0.000) and self-rating health state (P < 0.05) statistically contributed to the variations in WTP/QALY value for the epilepsy group.
Conclusions
Patients with epilepsy had substantially lower HRQOL than did the healthy population.

Investor attention, analyst recommendation revisions, and stock prices

We provide evidence that investors underreact after analysts' recommendation upgrades; however, price reactions are faster after downgrades. We measure individual investors' attention using Google's search volume index. Our findings indicate that, after upgrades, stocks that enjoy greater individual investors' attention underreact significantly more compared to stocks that receive high level of attention from institutional investors. On the other hand, after recommendation downgrades, stocks with higher levels of prior attention from individual investors overreact and show a significantly greater price reversal compared to stocks that received high level of attention from institutional investors. Our results suggest that attentive individual investors may not be rational; hence investor attention and investor sophistication are important for price discovery in the market.

The challenge of being heard : understanding Wadawurrung climate change vulnerability and adaptive capacity

For the original residents and 'landscape planners' of the Australian continent, the some 60,000 years of accumulated ecological knowledge of the patterns and transformations of this continent held the memories and ecological knowledge of its Australian Aboriginal custodians and Elders. Much of this extensive oral knowledge is little listened to, heard, respected, nor incorporated into the Western land use planning literature that seek to guide development and management pressures borne out of some 200 years of local knowledge appreciation and a plethora of northern hemisphere knowledge uniformed by ecological responsibility and self. While extensive planning schemes, development plans, and management plans have been prepared, gazetted and embodied in law, they lack the testament of time and the lore of knowledge longevity.

Associations of objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior with quality of life and psychological well-being in prostate cancer survivors

PURPOSE: Although evidence is building on the positive effects of physical activity for prostate cancer survivors, less is known about the possible independent effects of sedentary behavior on quality of life and psychological well-being in this population. We determined the extent to which objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior were independently associated with quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in prostate cancer survivors.

METHODS: An exploratory cross-sectional analysis was undertaken on baseline data from a multicenter, cluster randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of a clinician referral and 12-week exercise program for men who had completed active treatment for prostate cancer. Multiple regression analyses were performed using data from 98 prostate cancer survivors who wore hip-mounted accelerometers (time spent sedentary defined as <100 counts per minute [CPM]; MVPA defined as >1,951 CPM) and completed self-report instruments on their quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Results were compared with minimal clinically important differences for the quality of life scales.

RESULTS: Independent of sedentary behavior, increases in MVPA of between 15 and 33 min/day were associated with clinically important (but not statistically significant) improvements in three quality of life scales (insomnia, diarrhea, and financial difficulties). Independent of MVPA, decreases in sedentary behavior of 119 and 107 min/day were associated with clinically important (but not statistically significant) improvements in physical functioning and role functioning, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Within our exploratory study, modest increases in MVPA and more substantive decreases in sedentary behavior were independently associated with clinically important improvements in several quality of life scales. Further research, including prospective studies, is required to understand sedentary behavior across larger and more representative samples (in terms of their physical, psychological, and social functioning and their engagement in physical activity) of prostate cancer survivors.

Neighbourhood environment, physical activity, quality of life and depressive symptoms in Hong Kong older adults: a protocol for an observational study

INTRODUCTION: The neighbourhood environment can assist the adoption and maintenance of an active lifestyle and affect the physical and mental well-being of older adults. The psychosocial and behavioural mechanisms through which the environment may affect physical and mental well-being are currently poorly understood. AIM: This observational study aims to examine associations between the physical and social neighbourhood environments, physical activity, quality of life and depressive symptoms in Chinese Hong Kong older adults.

METHODS AND ANALYSES: An observational study of the associations of measures of the physical and social neighbourhood environment, and psychosocial factors, with physical activity, quality of life and depressive symptoms in 900 Hong Kong older adults aged 65+ years is being conducted in 2012-2016. The study involves two assessments taken 6 months apart. Neighbourhood walkability and access to destinations are objectively measured using Geographic Information Systems and environmental audits. Demographics, socioeconomic status, walking for different purposes, perceived neighbourhood and home environments, psychosocial factors, health status, social networks, depressive symptoms and quality of life are being assessed using validated interviewer-administered self-report measures and medical records. Physical functionality is being assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery. Physical activity and sedentary behaviours are also being objectively measured in approximately 45% of participants using accelerometers over a week. Physical activity, sedentary behaviours, quality of life and depressive symptoms are being assessed twice (6 months apart) to examine seasonality effects on behaviours and their associations with quality of life and depressive symptoms.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study received ethical approval from the University of Hong Kong Human Research Ethics Committee for Non-Clinical Faculties (EA270211) and the Department of Health (Hong Kong SAR). Data are stored in a password-protected secure database for 10 years, accessible only to the named researchers. Findings will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Measuring the Impact of Melaleuca quinquenervia Biochar Application on Soil Quality, Plant Growth, and Microbial Gas Flux

Biochar has been heralded a mechanism for carbon sequestration and an ideal amendment for improving soil quality. Melaleuca quinquenervia is an aggressive and wide-spread invasive species in Florida. The purpose of this research was to convert M. quinquenervia biomass into biochar and measure how application at two rates (2% or 5% wt/wt) impacts soil quality, plant growth, and microbial gas flux in a greenhouse experiment using Phaseolus vulgaris L. and local soil. Plant growth was measured using height, biomass weight, specific leaf area, and root-shoot ratio. Soil quality was evaluated according to nutrient content and water holding capacity. Microbial respiration, as carbon dioxide (CO2), was measured using gas chromatography. Biochar addition at 5% significantly reduced available soil nutrients, while 2% biochar application increased almost all nutrients. Plant biomass was highest in the control group, p2 flux decreased significantly in both biochar groups, but reductions were not long term.

Change, stability and prediction of gross motor co-ordination in portuguese children

The knowledge about intra- and inter-individual variation can stimulate attempts at description, interpretation and prediction of motor co-ordination (MC). Aim: To analyse change, stability and prediction of motor co-ordination (MC) in children. Subjects and methods: A total of 158 children, 83 boys and 75 girls, aged 6, 7 and 8 years, were evaluated in 2006 and re-evaluated in 2012 at 12, 13 and 14 years of age. MC was assessed through the Kiphard-Schilling’s body co-ordination test and growth, skeletal maturity, physical fitness, fundamental motor skills (FMS), physical activity and socioeconomic status (SES) were measured and/or estimated. Results: Repeated-measures MANOVA indicated that there was a significant effect of group, sex and time on a linear combination of the MC tests. Univariate tests revealed that group 3 (8–14 years) scored significantly better than group 1 (6–12 years) in all MC tests and boys performed better than girls in hopping for height and moving sideways. Scores in MC were also higher at follow-up than at baseline. Inter-age correlations for MC were between 0.15–0.74. Childhood predictors of MC were growth, physical fitness, FMS, physical activity and SES. Biological maturation did not contribute to prediction of MC. Conclusion: MC seemed moderately stable from childhood through adolescence and, additionally, inter-individual predictors at adolescence were growth, FMS, physical fitness, physical activity and SES.

Quality of life and chronic disease in patients receiving primary health care

Problem Statement: Chronic disease entails physical, psychological and social issues with a decrease in the quality of life. The assessment of QoL has been applied as indicator in patients with chronic diseases. Research Questions: What is the quality of life in patients with chronic disease? What are the socio-demographic variables that influence the quality of life in patients? Purpose: To assess the quality of life in patients suffering from chronic disease and identify socio-demographic variables which influence the quality of life of patients suffering from chronic disease. Research Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study using a sample composed of 228 users (134 females) from a Family Health Unit in the municipality of Viseu. Data collection was made by means of a questionnaire, consisting of sociodemographic variables, the SF-12 scale and the existence of chronic disease was assessed through the questions – “Do you currently suffer from any chronic disease?”; “If so, which one(s)?”. Findings: The most common chronic diseases were hypertension (59.9%). Female patients with a chronic disease reported worse physical functioning, role-physical and role-emotional; increased bodily pain and better quality of life regarding general health. Male patients showed worse role-physical, increased bodily pain and vitality. Sociodemographic variables which were associated with quality of life were area of residence, academic qualifications and work situation. Conclusion: Chronic disease affects quality of life negatively. Quality of life in both patients groups was associated with socio-demographic variables. Health-related quality of life is an essential issue and should be considered as a priority in health policies.

Online presence of the international automobile industry: evaluation of the digital business representation in the business to consumer section of the international automobile industry

Tesis inédita presentada en la Universidad Europea de Madrid. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Programa de Doctorado en Economía y Empresa

The influence of HIV, HCV and inhibitors on the quality of life and behavior of the disease in patients with haemophilia: An observational study

Inhibitors are the main complication in the treatment of haemophilia. A high percentage of adult patients were infected in past decades by HIV and HCV through factor concentrates. This study compared the quality of life of patients with hemophilia (QoL) and illness behavior in adult patients with haemophilia according to the development of inhibitors and HIV or HCV co-infection. This is an observational clinical study. 69 adult patients with haemophilia participated. We used A36 Hemophilia-QoL and IBQ questionnaires to measure the QoL and illness behavior, respectively. The dependent variables were type and severity of haemophilia, type of treatment, development of inhibitors, HIV and HCV infection, or both. We observed significant differences in the perception of QoL and illness behavior in patients according to the development of inhibitor and coinfection with HIV-HCV. We obtained four groups: the first and second group, which comprise 67% of the sample, exhibit behavior patterns indicating good adaptation to the disease and good QoL. The other two groups, which comprise 33% of the sample show behavior that is not well adapted to the disease, and poor quality of life. The development of inhibitors itself does not influence the quality of life and illness behavior in patients with haemophilia. Patients infected with HIV or HCV do not have a worse illness behavior compared to those uninfected. The development of inhibitors and HIV-HCV co-infection has a negative impact on quality of life and illness behavior in patients with haemophilia.

Innovation and Territorial Development: An Analysis of the Region of São José dos Campos - Brazil

This study aimed to identify and analyze the interrelations between companies, research centers, universities, government and other relevant players in the micro region of São José dos Campos, focusing on the creation and diffusion of innovations as a strategy for regional development. To this end, we made an interview with 12 regional players Involved in this process. It is hoped the results expand the knowledge of regional development in technologyoriented areas, as well as the dynamics of territorial development in the micro region studied. It is an academic contribution in developing strategies for expanding competitive regions through incentives for innovation and technology transfer.