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• 2014 and 2016 waves of Netherlands Mobility Panel examined. • Latent transition model estimated and latent transition probabilities used. • Latent classes can be distinguished within car-user groups. • Travellers' attitudes towards car use and ownership are very stable over time. • In most cases, changing car attitudes do not directly affect car use. This paper examines how changes in travellers' attitudes towards car use and ownership change over time and how these changes influence car use, based on the 2014 and 2016 waves of the Netherlands Mobility Panel (N = 1640). A latent transition model was estimated to investigate transitions between different segments based on travellers' attitudes towards car use and ownership, and the latent transition probabilities were used to predict changes in mode use. Four latent classes were found to reflect the participants' attitudes: cost-sensitive, car-minded, environmentally aware and social-conscious travellers. Most of the participants remained in the same class between 2014 and 2016, which suggests that attitudes towards car use and ownership are stable over time. Also, the results indicate that car use and car ownership may be less widespread among younger adults. Only when younger adults face life events, such as moving, starting a job or become parents, transitioning to more car-oriented profiles appears more likely. Changes in attitudes towards car use and car ownership do not significantly affect car use (number of trips per day), except for the social-conscious travellers who switched to the car-minded class. This suggests that, in most cases, a more positive or negative attitude towards car use and ownership does not directly affect the frequency of car use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Recruitment thresholds were lowest for soleus motor units (MUs) followed by medial (MG) and then lateral gastrocnemii (LG). • Initial MU discharge rates at recruitment were greatest for LG, with no difference between MG and soleus. • All muscles of the triceps surae exhibited a wide range of MU recruitment thresholds up to high intensities. • In all three muscles, discharge rates displayed a positive relationship with recruitment thresholds. • The recruitment and rate coding strategies result in efficacious behavior of this synergistic group. The triceps surae is comprised of the soleus, and medial (MG) and lateral (LG) gastrocnemii. Modulation of triceps surae motor units (MUs) is context- and muscle-dependent, yet it is unknown how the disparate components of the triceps surae work together to achieve the common goal of high-intensity voluntary isometric plantar flexion torque gradation. Thus, the purpose was to assess the interrelationships between MU recruitment thresholds (MURTs) and MU discharge rates (MUDRs) among these three muscles during contractions from low to high intensities. We sampled 157 MU action potential trains from the MG (68), LG (38) and soleus (51) using fine-wire intramuscular electromyography (EMG) during voluntary ramp isometric contractions up to 100% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The soleus exhibited 41% and 54% lower MURTs compared to the MG (p < 0.0001) and LG (p < 0.0001), respectively, whereas MG MURTs were 22% lower than the LG (p < 0.0001). Initial MUDRs were 35% and 26% greater for the LG compared with the MG (p < 0.0001) and soleus (p < 0.0001), but no difference was detected between the MG and soleus (p = 0.28). Finally, initial MUDRs displayed a positive relationship with MURTs for each independent triceps surae component (p ≤ 0.002). The relative differences in MU properties of each muscle in this synergistic group illustrate that MU control strategies are likely optimized with respect to the relative contribution of each muscle to plantar flexion torque or functional roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cooling capabilities of liquid nitrogen are exploited in various fields, where the liquid is often in apparent contact with a soft or even liquid partner. Even though the heat transfer between the partners is mostly of actual concern for the given application, it is not yet fully described. In the present work, the shrinkage of a nitrogen Leidenfrost droplet on a water pool and the resulting formation of ice inside the pool are examined experimentally, theoretically and numerically. Experiments are performed using nitrogen droplets of varying size, deposited onto a water pool which is initially always at its melting temperature. Droplet shrinkage and ice formation are captured using a high-speed video camera providing a synchronized top and side-view on the scene. An existing analytical model for the interface shape of the droplet and the pool in the given situation is extended to enable theoretical prediction of the temporal evolution of the droplet size and the volume of ice formed inside the pool. While only heat transfer at the droplet bottom is considered in the original model, in the present work also the major contributions to the heat transfer at the droplet top and at the pool meniscus are accounted for. Additionally, numerical simulations of droplet shrinkage are performed using a commercial finite-element simulation software (COMSOL Multiphysics). For both the theoretical model and the numerical simulations, the droplet and the pool are assumed isothermal and heat transfer is only considered in the gaseous ambient. Finally, both the theoretical predictions and numerical results generally well resemble the experimental findings for droplet shrinkage, where the numerical simulations show a slightly better agreement. Also the theoretical predictions for the ice volume forming inside the pool are in good agreement with the experimental results, confirming the good predictive capabilities of the theoretical model for the present situation. • The Leidenfrost effect for a nitrogen droplet on a water pool is studied experimentally, theoretically and numerically. • Droplet shrinkage on and ice formation in the pool are experimentally measured using a high-speed video system. • The situation is theoretically modeled to enable prediction of droplet shrinkage and ice formation. • Droplet shrinkage is numerically simulated using a commercial software package. • Theoretical predictions and numerical results well agree with the experimental data for both droplet shrinkage and ice formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This individual patient data meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise on quality of life (QoL) and physical function (PF) in patients with cancer, and to identify moderator effects of demographic (age, sex, marital status, education), clinical (body mass index, cancer type, presence of metastasis), intervention-related (intervention timing, delivery mode and duration, and type of control group), and exercise-related (exercise frequency, intensity, type, time) characteristics. Relevant published and unpublished studies were identified in September 2012 via PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL, reference checking and personal communications. Principle investigators of all 69 eligible trials were requested to share IPD from their study. IPD from 34 randomised controlled trials (n=4519 patients) that evaluated the effects of exercise compared to a usual care, wait-list or attention control group on QoL and PF in adult patients with cancer were retrieved and pooled. Linear mixed-effect models were used to evaluate the effects of the exercise on post-intervention outcome values (z-score) adjusting for baseline values. Moderator effects were studies by testing interactions. Exercise significantly improved QoL (β=0.15, 95%CI=0.10;0.20) and PF (β=0.18, 95%CI=0.13;0.23). The effects were not moderated by demographic, clinical or exercise characteristics. Effects on QoL (βdifference_in_effect=0.13, 95%CI=0.03;0.22) and PF (βdifference_in_effect=0.10, 95%CI=0.01;0.20) were significantly larger for supervised than unsupervised interventions. In conclusion, exercise, and particularly supervised exercise, effectively improves QoL and PF in patients with cancer with different demographic and clinical characteristics during and following treatment. Although effect sizes are small, there is consistent empirical evidence to support implementation of exercise as part of cancer care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While meta-analyses are common in the health and some biological sciences, there is a lack of such analyses for petroleum-related marine research. Oil is a highly complex substance consisting of thousands of different compounds. Measurement limitations, different protocols and a lack of standards in recording and reporting various elements of laboratory experiments impede attempts to homogenize and compare data and identify trends. Nevertheless, oil toxicology research would benefit from meta-analyses, through which we could develop meaningful research questions and design robust experiments. Here we report findings from an effort to quantitatively summarize results from oil toxicology studies on arctic and subarctic marine invertebrates. We discovered that the vast majority of studies was conducted on crustaceans, followed by molluscs. Analyzing the sensitivity of response measures across taxa we found that the most sensitive responses tend to rank low in ecological relevance, while less sensitive response measures tend to be more ecologically relevant. We further uncovered that crustaceans appear to be more sensitive to mechanically dispersed than chemically dispersed oil while the opposite seems true for molluscs, albeit not statistically significant. Both crustaceans and molluscs show a higher sensitivity to fresh than to weathered oil. No differences in the sensitivities of crustacean life stages were found. However, due to a lack of data, many questions remain unanswered. Our study revealed that while trends in responses can be elucidated, heterogeneous experimental protocols and reporting regimes prevent a proper meta-analysis. [Display omitted] • Knowledge about oil spill effects stems mostly from data on crustaceans and molluscs. • Studies are unusable for meta-analyses if exposure concentrations are not measured. • Response measures vary widely in sensitivity and ecological relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Self-sustained oscillations in a thin cavity with submerged nozzle were observed. [•] The self-sustained oscillations were influenced by applying a Lorentz force. [•] A POD was applied to study the distribution of kinetic energy. [•] The large scale fluctuations can be enhanced or suppressed by the Lorentz force. [•] The turbulence fluctuations are not affected by the Lorentz force. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Self-sustained oscillations in a thin cavity with submerged nozzle were observed. [•] Three flow regimes are detected depending on nozzle depth and inlet velocity. [•] The three flow regimes have been summarized in a flow regime map. [•] PIV measurements are performed to link free surface behavior to the bulk-flow. [•] We report a close correlation between jet-behavior and free surface dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jewish majority and Arab minority populations in Israel exhibit disparities in nutrition-related chronic diseases, but comparative, population-based dietary studies are lacking. We evaluated ethnic differences in dietary patterns in a population-based, cross-sectional study of Arab and Jewish urban adults (n = 1104; age 25-74 y). Dietary intake was assessed with an interviewer-administered, quantified FFQ. We used principal-component analysis to identify 4 major dietary patterns: Ethnic, Healthy, Fish and Meat Dishes, and Middle Eastern Snacks and Fast Food. The Ethnic and Healthy patterns exhibited major ethnic differences. Participants in the top Ethnic intake tertile (97% Arab) had modified Mediterranean-style Arabic dietary habits, whereas those in the bottom Ethnic tertile (98% Jewish) had central/northern European-style dietary habits. The Arab participants with less strongly ethnicity-associated dietary habits were younger [OR for 10-y decrease = 1.42 (95% CI: 1.21-1.68)] and male IOR = 2.23 (95% CI: 1.53-3.25)]. Jews with less strongly ethnicity-associated dietary habits were less recent immigrants [OR = 8.97 (95% CI: 5.05-15.92)1, older [OR for 10-y decrease = 0.80 (95% CI: 0.69-0.92)], had post-secondary education [OR = 2.04 (95% CI: 1.06-3.94)], and reported other healthy lifestyle behaviors. In relation to the Healthy pattern, Arabs were less likely than Jews to be in the top intake tertile, but the magnitude of the difference was less in diabetic participants. Participants reporting other healthy lifestyle behaviors were more likely to have a high intake of the Healthy pattern. Substantial differences were found between Arabs and Jews in dietary patterns and suggest a need for culturally congruent dietary interventions to address nutrition-related chronic disease disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central neurogenic hyperventilation (CNH) is a neurogenic disorder rarely described within Emergency Medicine literature. CNH is a primary cause of hyperventilation, most commonly due to primary central nervous system neoplasms. Patient presentation varies based on the underlying cause, and may present with a sole chief complaint of dyspnea. We present a case of an adult male with a history of deep vein thrombosis, anticoagulated on apixaban, and extensively metastatic renal cell carcinoma who presented with a two-week history of dyspnea. Evaluation in the emergency department showed a primary respiratory alkalosis with a compensatory metabolic acidosis. Diagnostic work-up failed to reveal a cardiac, pulmonary, metabolic, or toxic cause. During the emergency department course, the patient became dysarthric and altered, at which point, computed tomography scan of the head revealed a pontine hemorrhage. The hemorrhage was stabilized with prothrombin complex concentrate, but the patient's dyspnea and mental status deteriorated throughout the course of his hospitalization. While the cause of the patient's hemorrhage was not elucidated, given the patient's widely metastatic disease, it was presumed to be secondary to metastasis. Our case highlights both a unique cause of a rare disorder of hyperventilation, and a diagnostic challenge to the emergency medicine provider. It is important to consider central causes of hyperventilation in patients with dyspnea and neurologic symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Subsidizing cessation services enhanced quit-related behavior in Israel. • This improvement was not equally distributed across sociodemographic subgroups. • Environmental tobacco exposure was associated with lower odds of successful quitting. • Improved affordability of nationwide smoking cessation services may not suffice. Lower rates of smoking cessation among disadvantaged groups contribute to widening health-disparities. With this recognition, in 2010 free-of-charge/subsidized smoking cessation services became available to all Israeli residents through the not-for-profit health plans. Based on two cross-sectional National Social Surveys, data on adult ever-smokers were used (n = 2,998 in 2010 and 2,859 in 2017). The outcome variable comprised three categories: no quit attempt, unsuccessful quit attempt and successful quit attempt. Changes over-time and demographic, socioeconomic, health- and smoking-related factors associated with quitting attempts and success were tested in the pooled sample, using multivariable multinomial logistic regression models. The pooled sample of the two surveys included 2,611 participants (44.2%) who were successful quitters, 1,941 (32.7%) who reported an unsuccessful quit attempt, and 1,305 (23.1%) smokers who did not attempt to quit. Compared to 2010, ever-smokers in 2017 were less likely to report an unsuccessful quit attempt (adjusted OR = 0.81, 95%CI: 0.70–0.94). The likelihood of successfully quitting was similar in both surveys. Older age and self-reported health problem were associated with higher likelihood of quitting attempt. Meeting living expenses, being overweight/obese, engaging in physical activity and heavy smoking were associated with higher likelihood of successful smoking cessation; while environmental tobacco exposure was associated with 43% lower likelihood of successful cessation. Finally, there was an interaction between education and ethnicity. Higher education level was associated with a greater likelihood both to attempt to quit smoking and to succeed among Jewish participants, while the opposite phenomenon was observed among Arab smokers. Despite the availability of subsidized smoking cessation services, social disparities in smoking cessation rates persist. Efforts should focus on proactively reaching subpopulations with low cessation rates, using tailored strategies for successful smoking cessation. Promoting smoke free homes and workplaces should be prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To describe trends in the incidence and causes of legal childhood blindness in Israel, one of the few countries worldwide that maintain a national registry of the blind. Methods We performed a historical cohort study of annual reports of the National Registry of the Blind (NRB) between 1999 and 2013. All data regarding demographic information, year of registration and cause of blindness of children 0-18 years of age registered for blind certification were obtained from the annual reports of the NRB. Causes of legal blindness analyzed were optic atrophy, retinitis pigmentosa, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), albinism, other retinal disorders, cataract, and glaucoma. The main outcome measure was the incidence of new cases of certified legal blindness. Results The incidence of newly registered legally blind children in Israel almost halved from 7.7 per 100,000 in 1999 to 3.1 per 100,000 in 2013. The decline was mainly attributable to a decreased incidence of blindness resulting from retinitis pigmentosa and ROP. The incidence of registered cases due to cerebral visual impairment increased. Conclusions During the past decade the incidence of severe childhood visual impairment and blindness declined in Israel. A continuous decline in consanguineous marriages among the Jewish and Arab populations in Israel may have contributed to the decrease in the rate of vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response from the author of the article "Time trends in the incidence and causes of blindness in Israel" published in the February 2012 issue, which discusses age-standardized rates related to macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and cataract in Israel, is presented.

This paper examines the influence of panel attrition on the intrapersonal dynamics in self-reported trip rates, using the data from the 2013, 2014 and 2015 waves of the Netherlands Mobility Panel, a large scale household panel. A hybrid choice model (HCM) was developed to simultaneously model the effect of socioeconomic, infrastructure and land use variables, life events and non-random attrition on trip rates, whereby the latent variable (LV) model is composed of panel attrition and survey completeness. The discrete choice model (DCM) includes four trip rate categories, including zero trips. The probability of each trip rate category was estimated for both the HCM and the DCM models; with and without the LV model. The first main conclusion from this paper is that the largest bias due to panel attrition occurs in the probability of reporting no trips per day, and 1–2 trips per day. Also, the HCM models show a correlation between the probability of reporting no trips per day and the tendency to drop out altogether. The second main conclusion is that the results show that the latent variables (attrition and completeness) are statistically significant in estimating mobility. Also, socioeconomic variables (gender, driving license, household type and size), mode preferences, spatial infrastructure and life events determine mobility rates and remain significant after adding attrition/completeness variables. Thirdly, the results proved that attrition effects significantly vary across waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Control of self-sustained jet oscillations in confined cavities is of importance for many industrial applications. It has been shown that the mechanism underlying these oscillations consists of three stages: (i) growth of the oscillation, (ii) amplitude limitation and (iii) delayed destruction of the recirculation zone bounding the jet. It has also been shown that oscillations may be enhanced or suppressed by applying (e.g. electromagnetic) body forces. In the current paper we study the influence of electromagnetic forces oriented aligned with or opposite to the direction of the jet on the oscillation mechanism. The influence of the forcing is found to depend on the Stuart number N in relation to a critical Stuart number N crit . We demonstrate that for | N | < N crit , the oscillation mechanism is essentially unaltered, with moderate modifications in the jet oscillation amplitude and frequency compared to N = 0 . For N > N crit , electromagnetic forcing leads to total suppression of the self-sustained oscillations. For N < N crit , electromagnetic forces dominate over inertia and lead to strongly enhanced oscillations, which for N ≪ − N c r i t become irregular. As was earlier demonstrated for N = 0 , the present paper shows that for − 6 N c r i t < N < N c r i t the oscillatory behaviour, i.e. frequencies, oscillation amplitudes and wave shapes, can be described quantitatively with a zero-dimensional model of the delay differential equation (DDE) type, with model constants that can be a priori determined from the Reynolds and Stuart number and geometric ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the flow in a layer of conductive liquid under the influence of surface tension, gravity, and Lorentz forces due to imposed potential differences and transverse magnetic fields, as a function of the Hartmann number, the Bond number, the Reynolds number, the capillary number and the height-to-width ratio A . For aspect ratios A ≪ 1 and Reynolds numbers Re ≤ A , lubrication theory is applied to determine the steady state shape of the liquid surface to lowest order. Assuming low Hartmann ( Ha ≤ O (1)), capillary ( Ca ≤ O ( A 4 )), Bond ( Bo ≤ O ( A 2 )) numbers and contact angles close to 90°, the flow details below the surface and the free surface elevation for the complete domain are determined analytically using the method of matched asymptotic expansions. The amplitude of the free surface deformation scales linearly with the capillary number and decreases with increasing Bond number, while the shape of the free surface depends on the Bond number and the contact angle condition. The strength of the flow scales linearly with the magnetic field gradient and applied potential difference and vanishes for high aspect ratio layers ( A → 0). The analytical model results are confirmed by numerical simulations using a finite volume moving mesh interface tracking method, where the Lorentz force is calculated from the equation for the electric potential. It is shown that the analytical result for the free surface elevation is accurate within 0.4% from the numerical results for Ha 2 ≤ 1, Ca ≤ A 4 , Bo ≤ A 2 , Re ≤ A and A ≤ 0.1 and within 2% for A = 0.5 . For A = 0.1 , the solution remains accurate within 1% of the numerical solution when either Ha 2 is increased to 400, Ca to 200 A 4 or Bo to 100 A 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]