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• Promoting health benefits is necessary but insufficient to foster sustained engagement in physical activity (PA). • Our formal decision-making model explains why health benefits hold a weak subjective value. • In this model, expected health benefits are jointly discounted by effort-discounting, delay-discounting, and beliefs distortion. • In contrast, positive affective experiences toward PA can reduce the perception of effort, provide more immediate consequences, and strengthen beliefs about health benefits. • Because affective experiences have the potential to tip the balance in favor of PA over sedentary alternatives, they should be at the core of PA promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dental bleaching with hydrogen peroxide 35% on the surface below the attachments. Twenty-four blocks of bovine incisors were equally divided into 2 groups. The control group comprises the enamel surface free of attachments, whereas the attachment group comprises the enamel surface with attachment. Initial staining of samples was performed with black tea for 7 days; then, an attachment was made in the attachment group with Z250 resin and new staining for another 7 days in all samples. After staining, in-office bleaching was performed in both groups, and the attachments from the attachment group were removed. Color reading was performed with a spectrophotometer at all stages: initial (baseline), after 7 days of staining, after 14 days of staining, after immediate bleaching, and after 24 hours of bleaching. The color difference was calculated, and data analysis was performed using the t test for intergroup analysis. The results showed effective bleaching in both groups; however, there was a statistically significant difference in color change between them 24 hours after bleaching. It was concluded that the presence of attachment did not impair the action of the bleaching agent on the tooth surface. • Hydrogen peroxide (35%) was effective for in vitro enamel bleaching under composite attachments. • The attachment did not interfere with tooth whitening. • In-office whitening was effective for in vitro enamel bleaching. • The professional can safely perform in-office bleaching on patients with orthodontic aligners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The correction of maxillary transverse discrepancy is achieved by means of rapid maxillary expansion, which may be performed by conventional or surgically-assisted rapid maxillary expansion, and more recently, by miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE). This study assessed the bone thickness of the palate on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images for placement of mini-implants and anchorage of MARPE.Methods: The sample consisted of 223 CBCT scans from patients of both genders (137 females and 86 males) aged ≥18 years. By using the Image Studio software (Anne Solutions, São Paulo, Brazil), measurements of the bone thickness of the palate were performed bilaterally, as follows: in the axial plane, the bone thicknesses were determined in the anterior region (distal face of the first premolars) and the posterior region (distal face of the first molars), at 3 mm and 6 mm laterally to the midpalatal suture. So in the sagittal plane, the bone thicknesses of the palate were measured in these placements from the palatal cortical to the nasal floor cortical in the anterior region at 30°, 45°, and 90°. In the posterior region, the bone thickness was determined only at 90°. The statistical tests used were the Kruskal-Wallis H test (analysis of variance on ranks) with Dunn's post-hoc test and Mann-Whitney U test (P <0.05).Results: The bone thickness of the palate in the anterior region varied from 8.57 mm in women to 11.28 mm in men at 3 mm from the midpalatal suture and from 7.99 mm in women to 10.47 mm in men at 6 mm for 30°; from 6.35 mm in women to 9.28 mm in men at 3 mm from the midpalatal suture and from 6.20 mm in women to 8.88 mm in men at 6 mm for 45°; from 4.51 mm in women to 6.85 mm in men at 3 mm from the midpalatal suture and from 4.29 mm in women to 6.64 mm in men at 6 mm for 90°. In the posterior region, the bone thickness varied from 2.93 mm (3 mm from the suture) to 1.78 mm (6 mm from the suture) for women and from 3.24 mm (3 mm from the suture) to 1.99 mm (6 mm from the suture) for men. In general, the bone thickness of the palate is greater in the anterior region at 3 mm from the midpalatal suture at 30°.Conclusions: There was high variability in the bone thickness of the palate among patients and in different areas. Therefore, it is necessary to make an individualized diagnosis of the patient and manufacture the MARPE appliance carefully by performing a prior evaluation of the palatal bone thickness by means of CBCT to determine the ideal sites and inclinations for placement of mini-implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous literature has primarily viewed physical effort as an aversive experience. However, recent research suggests that effort can also be valued positively. These differences in approach and avoidance tendencies toward physical effort may play a key role in the self-regulation of physical activity behaviors. The aim of this study was to develop a scale that measures these tendencies and contributes to a better understanding of physical effort and how it affects behavior. The Physical Effort Scale (PES) was developed in Study 1 based on expert evaluations (n = 9) and cognitive interviews (n = 10). In Study 2 (n = 680, 69% female), content validity and dimensional structure were examined using principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Item reduction was conducted using item response theory. Preliminary construct validity was explored using regression. Study 3 (n = 297, 71% female) was used to validate dimensional structure, internal consistency, and construct validity, and to assess test-retest reliability. In Study 1, 44 items were rated for content validity, of which 18 were selected and refined based on cognitive interviews. Analyses from Study 2 allowed reducing the scale to 8 items with a two-dimension structure: tendency to approach (n = 4) and to avoid physical effort (n = 4). The two subscales showed high internal consistency (α = 0.897 for the approach dimension and 0.913 for the avoidance dimension) and explained usual levels of physical activity, providing preliminary evidence of construct validity. Study 3 confirmed the two-dimension structure with high internal consistency (α = 0.907 and 0.916 for the approach and avoidance dimension, respectively) and revealed acceptable test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation >0.66). Patterns of associations with other constructs showed expected relationships, confirming the concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity of the scale. The PES is a valid and reliable measure of individual differences in the valuation of physical effort. This scale can assess the propensity to engage in physically demanding tasks in non-clinical populations. The PES and its manual are available in the Supplementary Material. • Effort valuation plays a key role in the regulation of physical activity. • There are individual differences in the valuation of physical effort. • Developing a scale to capture individual differences in physical effort valuation is warranted. • The Physical Activity Scale (PES) is designed to capture individual differences in tendencies to approach and avoid physical effort. • Psychometric properties of the PES are sound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), pre-procedural imaging is pivotal to describe the highly variable LAA anatomy and to guide the operator in device sizing and interventional planning. Multiplanar reconstruction and 3D rendering are used for the interpretation of 3D CT datasets. However, this method of review of such imaging, which is mediated by 2D screens, may be limited due to the lack of true 3D visualization of the structures of interest; Mixed Reality (MxR) may further improve the CT-based pre-procedural planning by allowing for real-3D visualizations with holographic replicas of anatomical models. In this manuscript we present a novel software based on MxR and we evaluated its feasibility on different LAA morphologies. The morphological analysis of the holographic anatomical models was successfully applied for all the patients (n ​= ​4) independently from the morphology and it was performed in less than 10 minutes. Our findings suggest that with further developments MxR could have the potential to become a pivotal tool in LAA occlusion planning thanks to the real-3D perception, possibly leading to a more accurate and faster planning phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to evaluate the additional value of left atrial appendage (LAA) 3D printing derived from computed tomography (CCT) in determining the size for LAA occlusion (LAAO) devices as compared to standard measurement by using occurrence of LAA leak as endpoint. We evaluated 6 patients with LAA leak (cases) and 14 matched patients without LAA leak (controls) after LAAO. For each group, a patient-specific 3D printed model of LAA was manufactured using CT pre-operative images. The size recommended by the 3D printed model was compared with the size of the implanted device. Compared to the 3D printed model, 55% of the devices were underestimated, the two sizing approaches agreed in 35% of the patients, while the 3D printed model overestimated the size in 10% of patients. The prevalence of LAA leak was significantly higher in the subset of patients with underestimation of prosthesis implanted with the standard approach as compared to the other patients (p = 0.019). 3D printing of the LAA may provide additional value to standard practice for LAAO device prosthesis sizing with the potential impact to reduce LAA leak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The combined left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and cryoenergy pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure has been proven safe and effective in managing stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF), although most data refer to procedures performed using radiofrequency as the main energy source.Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term follow-up of patients with AF undergoing concomitant LAAC and cryoenergy PVI.Methods: Patients undergoing LAAC and cryoballoon PVI at our institution were enrolled. At 3, 6, and 24 months from the index procedure, we determined the atrial arrhythmia recurrence rate, the extent of LAAC, and the rate of cerebrovascular/bleeding events.Results: Forty-nine patients (mean age 69 ± 8 years; 32/49 (67%) men; CHA2DS2-VASc score 2.8 ± 1.2; HAS-BLED score 3 ± 1) with a guideline-recommended LAAC indication were included. Acute PVI and complete LAAC were achieved in 100% of patients. All patients completed at least 24 months of follow-up. At 8 weeks and 6 months, complete or satisfactory (<5 mm leak) LAAC rates were achieved in 40 (82%) and 9 (18%) and in 42 (86%) and 7 (14%) of patients, respectively. The overall freedom from atrial arrhythmia rate at 24 months was 29 (60%), and 45 (92%) of patients were off antithrombotic drugs. The observed annualized stroke and bleeding rates were 1% and 2%, respectively, a 71% and 60% risk reduction in comparison to event rates predicted from CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores.Conclusion: Concomitant cryoballoon ablation and LAAC procedures appear safe and effective at long-term follow-up, with high antithrombotic drug withdrawal rates at 24 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their potential in improving health behaviors, such as physical activity (PA), the effectiveness of interventions targeting automatic precursors remains contrasted. We examined the effects of a single session of ABC training – a personalized consequence-based approach-avoidance training – on PA, relative to an active control condition and a control condition. Middle-aged US participants (N = 360, 53 % of women) either completed an ABC training (being instructed to approach PA to obtain self-relevant consequences), an approach-avoidance training (approaching PA in 90 % of trials), or a control training (approaching PA in 50 % of trials). Participants selected antecedents (e.g., "When I have little time") in which personalized choices between PA and sedentary alternatives were likely to occur. In the ABC training only, after approaching PA, self-relevant consequences were displayed (e.g., increase in the health status of participant's avatar). Primary outcome was self-reported PA seven days after the intervention. Secondary outcomes included choices for PA (vs sedentary) alternatives in a hypothetical free-choice task, intention, automatic and explicit attitudes toward PA. No significant effect of the ABC intervention on PA was observed, so as on intention and explicit attitudes. However, the ABC intervention was associated with higher odds of choosing PA alternatives in the free-choice task and with more positive automatic attitudes toward PA. While the ABC training was not effective at improving PA, its effects on choices and automatic attitudes suggest that this intervention may still have potential. Future studies with intensive trainings and device-based measures of PA remains needed. • The Antecedents–Behavior–Consequence training was applied to physical activity. • Automatic approach-avoidance tendencies were paired with self-relevant consequences. • This single training did not increase self-reported physical activity after 7 days. • Free choices and implicit attitudes toward physical activity were improved. • Multiple sessions of personalized consequence-based trainings should be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the exposure of beachgoers to viruses, a study on seawater, sand, and beach-stranded material was carried out, searching for human viruses, fecal indicator organisms, and total fungi. Moreover, for the first time, the genome persistence and infectivity of two model viruses was studied in laboratory-spiked sand and seawater samples during a one-week experiment. Viral genome was detected in 13.6 % of the environmental samples, but it was not infectious (Human Adenovirus – HAdV, and enterovirus). Norovirus and SARS-CoV-2 were not detected. The most contaminated samples were from sand and close to riverine discharges. In lab-scale experiments, the infectivity of HAdV5 decreased by ~1.5-Log 10 in a week, the one of Human Coronavirus-229E disappeared in <3 h in sand. The genome of both viruses persisted throughout the experiment. Our results confirm viral contamination of the beach and suggest HAdV as an index pathogen for beach monitoring and quantitative risk assessment. [Display omitted] • The viral contamination in sand is higher than in stranded material and seawater. • Human Adenovirus (HAdV) contamination can be estimated from the total coliform count. • The HAdV infectivity in sand persists longer than the one of coronavirus. • The viral genome in sand persists for a long time for both HAdV and coronavirus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of affective responses to effort in the regulation of physical activity behavior is widely accepted. Yet, to investigate these affective responses during physical activity, most studies used direct self-reported measures that are prone to biases (e.g., social desirability, ability to introspect). To reduce these biases, we used an indirect measure (i.e., an affect misattribution procedure) that assessed the implicit affective valence elicited by physical effort in 42 healthy young adults. Specifically, participants rated the pleasantness of neutral human faces presented in a virtual environment while cycling at different intensities. We used this rating as an indicator of implicit affective valence. Results showed that higher perceived effort was associated with lower pleasantness ratings of neutral faces, with this effect only emerging at moderate-to-high levels of perceived effort. Further analyses showed that higher actual effort was also associated with lower pleasantness ratings of neutral faces. Overall, these findings suggest that higher levels of perceived effort are associated with decreased affective valence during physical activity. Finally, this study presents a new indirect measure of affective valence during physical activity. • Affective mechanisms are instrumental to the regulation of physical activity. • We developed an indirect self-reported measure of affective valence during physical activity. • In this task, participants rated the pleasantness of neutral faces at different levels of effort. • Higher perceived effort was associated with lower pleasantness ratings of neutral faces. • Affective responses during physical activity can be assessed using an indirect self-report measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The air quality impact of an airport due to both ground sources and air traffic emissions within the troposphere boundary layer is a relevant topic at a local scale, especially where the airport is surrounded by urbanized areas. The work analyses the emissions from the Amerigo Vespucci airport in Florence, Italy. The comparison between the present and the future layout of the airport, which is under project, is addressed, providing a possible tool to guide local air pollution prevention strategies within the framework of the strategic transport infrastructures development. The emission scenarios of the present and future airport layouts were estimated with EDMS 5.1.3, the software package issued by FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) which is an US-EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) preferred model for airport emissions evaluation. The total yearly emissions of NO X , CO, SO X , VOCs and PM 10 have been assessed, divided into the main phases of the LTO (landing and takeoff) cycle, provided for each aircraft. The results show that the takeoff phase is mainly responsible for NO X , SO X and PM 10 contributions. The AERMOD dispersion model was run over one year to evaluate the concentrations of those pollutants, modelled as chemically inert. The maximum concentrations occur close to the gate and the ground movement areas. However, the air quality standards ruled by Directive 50/2008/EU are never reached except for NO X , which shows an overall maximum of the annual average of about 40 μ g / m 3 , close to the standard for the vegetation health ( 50 μ g / m 3 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Since no extensive conceptual framework has been developed on the issues of ecosystem service (ES) and service provider (SP) in the marine environment, we have made an attempt to apply these to the conservation and management of marine biodiversity. Within this context, an accurate individuation of SPs, namely the biological component of a given ecosystem that supports human activities is fundamental. SPs are the agents responsible for making the ES-based approach operational. The application of these concepts to the marine environment should be based on an model different to the terrestrial one. In the latter, the basic model envisages a matrix of a human-altered landscape with fragments of original biodiversity; conversely, in the marine environment the model provides fragments where human activities are carried out and the matrix is represented by the original biodiversity. We have identified three main classes of ES provision: in natural, disturbed and human-controlled environments. Economic valuation of marine ESs is an essential condition for making conservation strategies financially sustainable, as it may stimulate the perceived need for investing in protection and exploitation of marine resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of taxonomic resolution on the variance estimates of macrobenthic assemblages were studied at four spatial scales in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon. The assemblages exhibited significant differences at all the investigated scales; however, spatial variability was mainly associated with the smallest and the largest scales. The decrease of taxonomic resolution (from species to family) was not related to a decrease of the overall variability and similar estimates of variance components were obtained using species and family resolution levels. The ordination models derived from species and family abundances were very similar both in terms of location and dispersion effect, while further aggregation to the class level began to alter the observed spatial patterns. In future studies aimed at assessing changes in the lagoon, resources derived from the cost reductions achieved using family level could be employed to plan more frequent surveys and/or to adopt complex spatial sampling designs with a high number of replicates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated the applicability of the Pearson–Rosenberg (P–R) conceptual model describing a generalized pattern of response of benthic communities in relation to organic enrichment to Mediterranean Sea coastal lagoons. Consistent with P–R model predictions, benthic diversity and abundance showed two different peaks at low (>2.5–5mgg−1) and high (>25–30mgg−1) total organic carbon (TOC) ranges, respectively. We identified TOC thresholds indicating that risks of reduced benthic diversity should be relatively low at TOC values−1, high at TOC values>about 28mgg−1, and intermediate at values in-between. Predictive ability within these ranges was high based on results of re-sampling simulation. While not a direct measure of causality, it is anticipated that these TOC thresholds should serve as a general screening-level indicator for evaluating the likelihood of reduced sediment quality and associated bioeffects in such eutrophic systems of the Mediterranean Sea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]