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To evaluate physical fitness and its association with fatigue in patients with low grade glioma (LGG). Cross-sectional study. Muscle strength was measured with a digital dynamometer, cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), maximal workload (MWL)) by cardiopulmonary-exercise-testing, and fatigue by using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. Thirty patients were included, mean age of 44.1 (SD11.2) years, and 67% were men, 31.2 (SD18) months post-diagnosis. Muscle strength (p < 0.01), and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak, MWL) (p < 0.01) were significantly decreased compared to predicted values based on age and gender. Thirty percent of the patients experienced severe physical fatigue, and severe mental fatigue was reported in 57% of the patients. Cardiorespiratory fitness showed weak to moderate (r − 0.46 to r − 0.52) but significant (p < 0.01) correlations with physical fatigue, not with mental and general fatigue. Muscle strength was not associated with fatigue. A lower VO2peak was independently associated with a higher level of physical fatigue, adjusted for Karnofsky Performance Status (R2 0.40). Physical fitness (muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness) is reduced in patients with LLG, and a lower level of cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) is independently associated with a higher level of experienced physical fatigue. Trials to explore the benefit of exercise programs to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and, consequently, fatigue are warranted. Physical fitness (muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness) is reduced in patients with low-grade glioma. Patients with low-grade glioma should be screened for fatigue with the multidimensional fatigue inventory, to differentiate between mental and physical fatigue. Patients with low-grade glioma with severe physical fatigue should be screened for reduced physical fitness, especially cardiorespiratory fitness by objective cardiopulmonary-exercise-testing. Rehabilitation exercise programs to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and, consequently, (physical) fatigue could be warranted in patients with low-grade glioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An environment of turbulence in the market in recent years and increasing inflation, mainly as a result of the post-COVID period and the ongoing military operation in Ukraine, represents a significant financial risk factor for many companies, which has a negative impact on managerial decisions. A lot of enterprises are forced to look for ways to effectively assess the riskiness of the projects that they would like to implement in the future. The aim of the article is to present a new approach for companies with which to assess the riskiness of projects. The basis of this is the use of the new Crystal Ball software tool and the effective application of the Monte Carlo method. The article deals with the current issues of investment and financial planning, which are the basic pillars for effective management decisions with the goal of sustainability. The article has verified a methodology that allows companies to make effective investment decisions based on assessing the level of risk. For practical application, the Monte Carlo method was chosen, as it uses sensitivity analysis and simulations, which were evaluated for two types of projects. Both simulations were primarily carried out based on a deterministic approach through traditional mathematical models. Subsequently, stochastic modeling was performed using the Crystal Ball software tool. As a result of the sensitivity analysis, two tornado graphs were created, which display risk factors according to the degree of their influence on the criterion value. The output of this article is the presentation of these new approaches for financial decision-making within companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all areas of our society. The effects of the pandemic on the economy have not only affected mainly the development of transport and tourism but most especially air transport. Many airports in Europe and around the world have experienced a drop in passengers and cargo due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For many airports, this period, which began in 2019, meant huge losses due to a drop in passengers, leading to the collapse of several airlines. Despite the gradually improving situation, the impact of the pandemic is still being felt, and the number of passengers at airports is growing rather slowly. Thus, airports had to deal with the current situation and adapt their future operation to the current conditions. Even the leading airport in Central Europe - the Schwechat Airport in Vienna - was not spared from the effects of the current pandemic. This article aims to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Schwechat airport. It focuses on the analysis of the development of the airport before and during the pandemic up to the present. Further, this article describes the problems that Schwechat airport dealt with throughout the period, with the loss of passengers, delays and the collapse of carriers. Subsequently, this article is part of a study aimed at identifying the negative effects of the pandemic on air transport and related industries worldwide. Predicting the development of the airport is a very important aspect, especially for the company's management and should be part of the risk management of every company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with current issues of finance and investment planning with a selective focus on financial decision-making processes using sophisticated software tools. The article has a special significance in this period when it is necessary to re-evaluate and consider ways of appropriate and effective investment and financial policy in view of the restrictions in enterprises in Slovakia, which brings with it the global pandemic COVID-19 or another crisis in enterprises. The aim of the article is to propose a methodology as a tool for streamlining the investment activities of companies. The proposed methodology combines the usability of traditional and modern economic methods, making it an important tool for the sustainability and competitiveness of enterprises. Three variants of investment decisions in the enterprise were simulated using simulation in terms of two approaches. The first approach focuses on mathematical–economic calculations of deterministic modeling through traditional software tools. The second stochastic modeling uses the simulation of financial risks using a modern software tool using the Monte Carlo method. The output is the creation of a graphical management model in the form of an algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Although social and physical components of leisure activity have proven beneficial to successful aging, the influence of solitary and nonstrenuous activity on subsequent aging is unclear. This study examined reading activity to investigate the relationship of a solitary, nonstrenuous activity on aging and mortality. Methods. A cohort of visually and cognitively intact community-dwelling participants born in 1920 1921, taken from the Jerusalem Longitudinal Study, underwent comprehensive assessment at ages 70 and 78. We collected mortality data spanning 8 years. We dichotomized reading frequency to daily or less and performed data analyses separately by gender. Results. Reading daily was common at both ages 70 (62% of the sample) and 78 (68%) and was associated at baseline with female gender, Western origin, higher socioeconomic and educational statuses, employment, and reduced medications. The hazard ratio for mortality over the 8-year follow-up among men was significantly reduced (hazard ratio = 0.44, 95% confidence interval = 0.23-0.84) after we adjusted for numerous social, medical, and health parameters. Discussion. The findings suggest that leisure activities devoid of social or physical benefits may nonetheless contribute to improved aging, predicting reduced mortality among men. A broader definition of leisure activities may be useful when considering the impact of these activities among older people. Key Words: Reading--Mortality.

This article evaluated the functionality and reliability of the personal airborne equipment backpack TL-98 before its launch in military parachute operations. An objective of this project was the verification of the TL-98's characteristics which could be important in terms of the safety of the operation of the parachute, i.e., its functionality and reliability during flight and fall tests. A major effort within this research was focused on the fall tests of the TL-98 in standard parachute operational conditions. The strength of the backpack's anchorage points (by which the backpack is attached to the parachute harness) was verified by flight test, where it was dropped from the aircraft at the maximum operating speed and at the maximum operating weight of the backpack; the backpack's maximum operating weight had been increased by multiplying the standard maximum operating weight by a safety factor of 1.2. During the fall tests of the backpack, after its disconnection from the parachute harness (during ground tests and the test during the test jump), the strength of the backpack's anchoring eye and the strength of the rope with which the backpack is connected to the parachute harness were verified. Another objective of this research was the collection of information to define the TL-98's rope lifetime, which serves for the dropping of the TL-98. To fulfill this goal, the impact forces on the rope during the backpack's fall were measured using a force sensor. The values of the impact forces were then calculated and compared with the values from the experiment. Using experimentally obtained results and their comparison with the calculated results, the lifetime of the TL-98 rope for parachuting operations was determined on the basis of predetermined criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of the research of performance measurement of a selected aircraft type in the take-off phase under extreme temperature conditions. For this purpose, a flight simulator of the Cessna 172 RG aircraft from the ELITE Company was used. For the purpose of verifying the take-off run length, the article provides a measurement methodology that was developed using information obtained during experimental take-offs. The aim was to obtain a procedure that would allow for repeated take-off runs in the same conditions with the possibility of changing individual influencing factors. Considering the whole measurement chain, the article analyses the influencing factors and quantifies their impact on the uncertainty of the measurement result. The data obtained experimentally we compared with the data in the Flight Manual and at the end carried out the assessment of the impact of global warming on the take-off run of the Cessna 172 RG and generally on the safety of the take-off and on air transport.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although spiro-ergometry is the established "gold standard" for determination of the second ventilatory threshold (VT2), it is a costly and rather time-consuming method. Previous studies suggest that assessing the second anaerobic threshold (AT2) on the basis of heart rate variability (HRV) during exercise may be a more cost-effective and noninvasive manner. However, appropriate validation studies, are still lacking. Eleven healthy, moderately trained subjects underwent 3 incremental exercise tests. Ventilation, oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2), CO2 production (...CO2), and HRV were measured continuously. Exercise testing was performed in 3 oxygen (FiO2) conditions of inspired air (14, 21, and 35% of oxygen). Participants and assessors were blinded to the FiO2 conditions. Two research teams assessed VT2s and HRVT2s independently from each other. Mean workloads corresponding to VT2 and HRVT2 in hypoxia were, respectively, 19 ± 17% (p = 0.01) and 15 ± 15% (p = 0.1) lower in comparison with hyperoxic conditions. Bland-Altman analysis showed low estimation bias (2.2%) and acceptably precise 95% limits of agreement for workload -15.7% to 20.1% for all FiO2 conditions. Bias was the lowest under normoxic conditions (1.1%) in comparison with hypoxia (3.7%) and hyperoxia (4.7%). Heart rate variability--based AT2 assessment had a most acceptable agreement with VT2 under normoxic conditions. This simple HRVT2 assessment may have potential applications for exercise monitoring in commercial fitness settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study investigated the feasibility and potential outcome measures during acute hyperoxia in type 2 diabetes patients (DM2). Methods: Eleven DM2 patients (7 men and 4 women) were included in the study. The patients cycled (30 min at 20 % Wmax) whilst breathing three different supplemental oxygen flows (SOF, 5, 10, 15 L min-1). During hyperoxic exercise, arterial blood gases and intra-arterial blood pressure measurements were obtained. Results: Arterial pO2 levels increased significantly (ANOVA, p < 0.05) with SOF: 13.9 ± 1.2 (0 L min-1); 18.5 ± 1.5 (5 L min-1); 21.7 ± 1.7 (10 L min-1); 24.0 ± 2.3 (15 L min-1). Heart rate (HR) and pH increased significantly after terminating administration of hyperoxic air. Conclusions: An SOF of 15 L min-1 appears to be more effective than 5 or 10 L min-1. Moreover, HR, blood pressure, blood lactate and pH are not recommended as primary outcome measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To assess physical fitness and physical activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and whether fatigue is associated with impaired physical fitness and impaired physical activity. Materials and methods. Ten patients with quiescent IBD and fatigue (fatigue group [FG]) based on the Checklist Individual Strength-Fatigue score of ≥35 were matched for age (±5 years) and sex with a non-fatigue group (NFG) with IBD. Physical fitness was measured with a cyclo-ergometric-based maximal exercise test, a submaximal 6-min walk test, and a dynamometer test to quantify the isokinetic muscle strength of the knee extensors and flexors. Level of physical activity was measured with an accelerometer-based activity monitor. Results. The patients in both groups did not differ in regard to medication use, clinical characteristics, and body composition. However, medium-to-large effect sizes for impaired physical fitness (both cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength) and physical activity were seen between the patients in the FG and the NFG. Especially, intensity of physical activity was significantly lower in the FG patients compared with the NFG patients (effect size: 1.02; p = 0.037). Similar results were seen when outcomes of the FG and NFG were compared with reference values of the normal population. Conclusion. Fatigued IBD patients show an impaired physical fitness and physical activity compared with non-fatigued IBD patients. This gives directions for a physical component in fatigue in IBD patients. Therefore, these new insights into fatigue indicate that these patients might benefit from an exercise program to improve physical fitness and physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This article examines the association between frequency of going out of the house and health and functional status among older people. Method: A randomly chosen cohort of ambulatory participants born in 1920 or 1921 from the Jerusalem Longitudinal Study underwent assessments for health, functional, and psychosocial variables at ages 70 and 77. Twelve-year mortality data were collected. Results: Women went out daily less than did men. Participants going out daily at age 70 reported significantly fewer new complaints at age 77 of musculoskeletal pain, sleep problems, urinary incontinence, and decline in activities of daily living (ADLs). Logistic regression analysis indicated that not going out daily at age 70 was predictive of subsequent dependence in ADL, poor self-rated health, and urinary incontinence at age 77. Discussion: Going out daily is beneficial among independent older people, correlating with reduced functional decline and improved health measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Effects of exercise training in 23 adults with Pompe disease receiving enzyme therapy" by Linda van den Berg, Marein Favejee, Stephan Wens, Michelle Kruijshaar, Francois Karstens, Robert Rozenberg, Stephan Praet, Arnold Reuser and Harm Kuipers is presented.

Objectives: To examine the hypothesis that Holocaust exposure during young adulthood negatively affects physical aging, causing greater morbidity, faster deterioration in health parameters, and shorter survival., Design: A longitudinal cohort study of the natural history of an age-homogenous representative sample born in 1920/21 and living in Jerusalem., Setting: Community-based home assessments., Participants: Four hundred fifty-eight subjects of European origin aged 70 at baseline and 77 at follow-up., Measurements: Comprehensive assessment of physical, functional, and psychosocial domains; biographical history of concentration camp internment (Camp), exposure to Nazi occupation during World War II (Exposure), or lack thereof (Controls); and 7-year mortality data from the National Death Registry., Results: Holocaust survivors of the Camp (n=93) and Exposure (n=129) groups were more likely than Controls (n=236) to be male and less educated and have less social support (P=.01), less physical activity (P=.03), greater difficulty in basic activities of daily living (P=.009), poorer self-rated health (P=.04), and greater usage of psychiatric medication (P=.008). No other differences in health parameters or physical illnesses were found. Holocaust survivors had similar rates of deterioration in health and illness parameters over the follow-up period, and 7-year mortality rates were identical. Proportional hazard models showed that being an elderly Holocaust survivor was not predictive of greater 7-year mortality., Conclusion: Fifty years after their Holocaust trauma, survivors still displayed significant psychosocial and functional impairment, although no evidence was found to support the hypothesis that the delayed effects of the trauma of the Holocaust negatively influence physical health, health trajectories, or mortality.

Study Design: A longitudinal age homogeneous cohort study., Objective: To describe the prevalence, nature, and predictors of chronic back pain (CBP) in older people., Summary of Background Data: CBP is a growing source of morbidity among the elderly. Few longitudinal studies exist, and its time course and predictors are largely undefined., Methods: The Jerusalem Longitudinal Study assessed 277 subjects aged 70 years at baseline and 77 years at follow-up. Data collection included back pain symptoms, psychosocial, functional, and physical domains., Results: The prevalence of CBP increased from 44% to 58% at ages 70 and 77 years, respectively, while frequency and severity decreased. CBP was associated with female gender, economic difficulties, loneliness, fatigue, poor self-rated health, dependence in activities of daily living, joint pain, and obesity. Depression was associated at age 70 years, and unemployment, not leaving the house for leisure, poor sleep satisfaction, hypertension, and osteoporosis were at age 77 years. Predictors of CBP at age 77 years were female gender, loneliness, joint pain, hypertension, and preexisting CBP. Unemployment and not leaving the house for leisure showed a trend toward significance., Conclusion: CBP is increasingly common in the elderly. Psychosocial factors, female gender, hypertension, and existing joint pain identify individuals most at risk.