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The PRAETORIAN score was developed as an alternative for defibrillation testing after subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation to assess 3 aspects of implant position on a bidirectional chest radiograph. The score is validated on a standard standing chest radiograph with arms elevated in the lateral view. We aimed to evaluate the effect of different anatomic positions on the PRAETORIAN score. Thirty patients with a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator underwent standard posterior-anterior and lateral chest radiography, including additional lateral views in 2 positions: standing with arms down and supine with arms alongside the body. PRAETORIAN score and weighted κ coefficient were calculated for each position. In 8 of 30 patients, the PRAETORIAN score was ≥90 in standard position. The agreement in PRAETORIAN score was substantial (κ = 0.677) for the position with the arms down and fair (κ = 0.399) for the supine position. With the arms down, the PRAETORIAN score decreased in 10 patients (33%), 4 of whom changed to a lower risk category. In supine position, the PRAETORIAN score decreased in 16 patients (53%), 7 of whom changed to a lower risk category, 1 from high to low risk. A supine or arms-down position during chest radiography can result in lower PRAETORIAN scores and underestimation of associated risk on defibrillation testing failure. This emphasizes the importance of correct anatomic positioning (arms up) during chest radiography when the PRAETORIAN score is used. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alors que les connaissances scientifiques accumulées depuis plus de quarante ans permettent de savoir comment prévenir les principaux problèmes de santé publique, l'écart entre les pratiques professionnelles et les données scientifiques demeure important. Les acteurs de la prévention et de la promotion de la santé (PPS), dont les psychologues, aspirent à enrichir leurs pratiques par les connaissances scientifiques, mais les freins à l'utilisation de ces données sont nombreux. La Démarche EValuation Action (DEVA) a été conçue pour répondre à ce besoin opérationnel et permettre aux professionnels d'utiliser les meilleures connaissances disponibles (scientifiques et expérientielles) pour fonder leurs interventions. Cet article vise à présenter cette nouvelle méthodologie de projet. La DEVA s'inscrit dans le paradigme de l'Evidence Based. Elle a été élaborée à partir d'un bilan des outils méthodologiques francophones et des évaluations utilisées dans différentes disciplines. Elle a été développée et testée dans un cadre universitaire, puis éprouvée en milieu professionnel (au niveau national et local). La DEVA est composée de trois phases et douze étapes, dont quatre correspondent à des évaluations. Ces étapes évaluatives permettent de s'assurer qu'à chacune des phases, les meilleures données disponibles sont mobilisées et que les objectifs (opérationnels et de santé) seront bien atteints. La DEVA peut répondre au besoin d'innovation méthodologique et de développement des compétences professionnelles et pratiques. Elle propose un mode opératoire pour faciliter le transfert de connaissances et le développement des interventions PPS fondées sur les données probantes. While scientific knowledge informing how to prevent main public health problems builds up since decades, the gap between professional practice and scientific evidence remains important. Regarding disease prevention and health promotion, professionals – including psychologists – aim at enriching their practice by relying on scientific knowledge. However, barriers to knowledge transfer remain. Here we present the Evaluation-Action Approach (DEVA), which has been created to overcome such barriers and provide an operational tool to practitioners willing to use the best available data. This article describes this new project methodology, which is anchored in the evidence-based paradigm, and has been developed based on methodological tools in French, along with assessment practices from different academic disciplines. It has been pre-tested and improved in an academic context and then tested with practitioners (locally and nationally). The DEVA comprises three stages and twelve steps, four of which are evaluations. These evaluative steps aim at checking whether, at each stage, the best available data are used and that the (working and health) objectives are reached. The DEVA can contribute to the need of methodological innovation and the development of professional and practical skills. This project methodology provides an operating procedure to facilitate knowledge transfer and the development of evidence-based prevention and health promotion interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (TV-ICD) implants, routine defibrillation testing (DFT) does not improve shock efficacy or reduce arrhythmic death but patients are exposed to the risk of complications related to DFT. The conversion rate of DFT in subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) is high and first shock efficacy is similar to TV-ICD efficacy rates. STUDY DESIGN: The PRAETORIAN-DFT trial is an investigator-initiated, randomized, controlled, multicenter, prospective two-arm trial designed to demonstrate non-inferiority of omitting DFT in patients undergoing S-ICD implantation in which the S-ICD system components are optimally positioned. Positioning of the S-ICD will be assessed with the PRAETORIAN score. The PRAETORIAN score is developed to systematically evaluate implant position of the S-ICD system components which determine the defibrillation threshold on post-operative chest X-ray. A total of 965 patients, scheduled to undergo a de novo S-ICD implantation without contra-indications for either DFT strategy, will be randomized to either standard of care S-ICD implantation with DFT, or S-ICD implantation without DFT but with evaluation of the implant position using the PRAETORIAN score. The study is powered to claim non-inferiority of S-ICD implantation without DFT in de novo S-ICD patients in respect to the primary endpoint of first shock efficacy in spontaneous arrhythmia episodes. Patients with a high PRAETORIAN score (≥90) in the interventional arm of this study will undergo DFT according to the same DFT protocol as in the control arm. CONCLUSION: The PRAETORIAN-DFT trial is a randomized trial that aims to gain scientific evidence to safely omit a routine DFT after S-ICD implantation in patients with correct device positioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Suboptimal positioning of the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) increases the defibrillation threshold and risk of conversion failure.Objective: Our objective is to develop a tool to evaluate the implant position and predict defibrillation success of the S-ICD: the PRAETORIAN score.Methods: The PRAETORIAN score is based on clinical and computer modeling knowledge of determinants affecting the defibrillation threshold: subcoil fat, subgenerator fat, and anterior positioning of the S-ICD generator. The score evaluates these determinants on the postoperative anterior-posterior and lateral chest radiographs and has 3 categories: 30-<90 points representing a low risk, 90-<150 points representing an intermediate risk, and ≥150 points representing a high risk of conversion failure. The score was developed using 2 separate S-ICD data sets for derivation and validation. The performance metrics are the positive and negative predictive values.Results: The development data set consisted of 181 patients with S-ICD, and the validation cohort consisted of 321 patients from the S-ICD Investigational Device Exemption trial. The distribution of scores was 93%-98% low risk (<90 points), 2%-5% intermediate risk (90-<150 points), and 1% high risk (≥150 points). The positive predictive value for an intermediate or high PRAETORIAN score for a failed conversion test was 51%, while a low PRAETORIAN score predicted a successful conversion in 99.8% of patients.Conclusion: The PRAETORIAN score allows the identification of patients with high defibrillation thresholds by using the routine chest radiograph and provides feedback to implanters on S-ICD positioning. The PRAETORIAN-DFT trial will prospectively validate the score by randomizing to standard conversion testing vs using the score without conversion testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Metabolic responses of heat-stressed dairy cows have not been fully elucidated. • The milk metabolome revealed altered amino acid metabolism during heat stress. • Vitamin E/Se supplementation attenuated muscle catabolism in heat stress. • No significant effects of high vitamin D 3 /Ca were observed on the metabolome. • Diets with levels of vitamin E/Se above recommendations should be further evaluated. Our understanding of metabolic alterations triggered by heat stress is incomplete, which limits the designing of nutritional strategies to mitigate negative productive and health effects. Thus, this study aimed to explore the metabolic responses of heat-stressed dairy cows to dietary supplementation with vitamin D 3 /Ca and vitamin E/Se. Twelve multiparous Holstein cows were enrolled in a split-plot Latin square design with two distinct vitamin E/Se supplementation levels, either at a low (ESe− , n = 6, 11.1 IU/kg vitamin E and 0.55 mg/kg Se) or a high dose (ESe+ , n = 6 223 IU/kg vitamin E and 1.8 mg/kg Se) as the main plot. Treatment subplots, arranged in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design, comprised heat challenge (Temperature Humidity Index, THI : 72.0–82.0) supplemented with different levels of vitamin D 3 /Ca: either low (HS/DCa −, 1 012 IU/kg and 0.73%, respectively) or high (HS/DCa+, 3 764 IU/kg and 0.97%, respectively), and a pair-fed control group in thermoneutrality (THI = 61.0–64.0) receiving the low dose of vitamin D 3 /Ca (TN). The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolome profile was determined in blood plasma and milk sampled at the beginning (day 0) and end (day 14) of each experimental period. The results were analyzed for the effect of (1) TN vs. HS/ESe−/DCa−, and (2) the vitamin E/Se and vitamin D 3 /Ca supplementation. No group or group × day effects were detected in the plasma metabolome (false discovery rate, FDR > 0.05), except for triglyceride 52:2 being higher (FDR = 0.03) on day 0 than 14. Taurine, creatinine and butyryl-carnitine showed group × day interactions in the milk metabolome (FDR ≤ 0.05) as creatinine (+22%) and butyryl-carnitine (+190%) were increased (P < 0.01) on day 14, and taurine was decreased (−65%, P < 0.01) on day 14 in the heat stress (HS) cows, compared with day 0. Most compounds were unaffected by vitamin E/Se or vitamin D 3 /Ca supplementation level or their interaction (FDR > 0.05) in plasma and milk, except for milk alanine which was lower (−69%, FDR = 0.03) in the E/Se+ groups, compared with E/Se−. Our results indicated that HS triggered more prominent changes in the milk than in the plasma metabolome, with consistent results in milk suggesting increased muscle catabolism, as reflected by increased creatinine, alanine and citrulline levels. Supplementing with high levels of vitamin E/Se or vitamin D 3 /Ca or their combination did not appear to affect the metabolic remodeling triggered by HS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effects of muscle strength, as determined by grip strength, on changes in health status in adolescents.Study Design: Risk variables included excess body fat, elevated fasting glucose, high blood pressure, elevated serum triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Multinomial logistic regression was used to quantify the odds of experiencing health maintenance (no risk factors identified at either time point) or health improvement (presence of ≥1 baseline risk factor and fewer or no risk factors at follow-up) over a 2-year period. The primary exposure variable was grip strength normalized by body mass (normalized grip strength [NGS]), and previous cut-offs were used to determine whether adolescents were weak or strong.Results: Adolescents who had low NGSs had a significantly greater prevalence of health decline or poor health persistence as compared with those who were strong (boys: 60.2% vs 15.3%; girls: 51% vs 21.9%; all P < .001). Moreover, adolescents who were strong had an increased adjusted odds for health maintenance (OR 3.54; 95% CI 1.80-6.97) and health improvement (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.05-1.60), even after we adjusted for baseline fat-free mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness, and objectively measured physical activity.Conclusions: Greater NGS is associated with longitudinal health maintenance and health improvements in adolescents. Low NGS could be used as a prognostic indicator of cardiometabolic risk and to identify adolescents who would benefit most from lifestyle interventions to improve muscular fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 140 liter lab scale shell-and-tube PCM heat storage was built and tested, and the experimental results were compared to a numerical model. Natural convection in the PCM was found to significantly influence the temperature distribution in the storage vessel. A horizontal orientation was found to be beneficial due to increased heat exchange during charging (melting). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent to which response distortion – such as social desirability responding (SDR) – is present in self–report measures is an issue of concern and debate in personality research, as it may seriously impact such measures' psychometric indices. The present research aimed at using the social value framework to shed new light on SDR in self–report personality tests. Two studies tested the moderating role of individual differences in perceived social desirability of the Openness to Experience dimension for test–retest reliability and predictive validity of a typical Openness measure. Results support the hypothesized moderating role of perceived social desirability for improving test–retest reliability, providing the testing condition guarantees full anonymity (Study 1), and for predictive validity (Study 2). Findings are discussed with regards to SDR in personality research and the social value framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although it has been assumed that the motivation to learn – or mastery goal endorsement – positively predicts learning achievement, most empirical findings fail to demonstrate this relationship. In the present research, conducted in a Swiss high school, we adopted a social value approach to test the hypothesis that adolescent students' mastery goals do in fact predict learning, but only if these goals are perceived as highly useful for scholarly success (high social utility), and are not endorsed as a means to be appreciated by the teachers (low social desirability), a finding that has previously been observed among college students and on teacher-graded achievement measures only. Results demonstrate that in spite of potential peculiarities of an adolescent population, individual differences in mastery goals' perceived social utility and desirability moderate the mastery goal endorsement-learning achievement relation. Findings are discussed with regard to both theory development and educational practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choking under pressure (CUP) research shows that individuals working on higher-order cognitive tasks do not benefit from higher working memory (WM) capacity under pressure. This CUP effect, or reduced WM/performance link, entails that high working memory individuals (high WMs) perform at about the same level as low WMs. However, it still is an open question which specific components create a high pressure situation. We hypothesized that CUP effects should occur in situations where high WMs are faced with a self-improvement goal, particularly when they do not have much room to improve their performance any further. Study 1 demonstrated that the positive WM/math performance link was reduced in the mere presence of a self-improvement goal. Study 2 further showed that the WM/math performance link was only reduced when self-improvement instructions emphasized that there was not much room left for improvement. Discussion focuses on implications for both CUP and achievement goal research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Reducing comparative optimism regarding risk perceptions in traffic accidents has been proven to be particularly difficult (). This is unfortunate because comparative optimism is assumed to impede preventive action. The present study tested whether a road safety training course could reduce drivers’ comparative optimism in high control situations. Results show that the training course efficiently reduced comparative optimism in high control, but not in low control situations. Mechanisms underlying this finding and implications for the design of road safety training courses are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In neuropsychological evaluations and single case research generally a number of tests are administered, since the interest is not in a single, but in multiple characteristics of a patient. The typical problem is to decide whether or not a patient is different from normal controls with respect to one or more of these characteristics. Consideration of each characteristic separately entails an increased risk of a false positive decision (a wrongful decision that the patient is abnormal, or a type 1 error). From a statistical point of view this calls for a multivariate analysis. In this paper, we propose two approaches to perform normative comparisons for such multivariate data: Bonferroni corrected univariate comparisons and a multivariate comparison. Both approaches allow for the testing of unidirectional (two-sided) as well as directional (one-sided) hypothesis, i.e. the hypothesis that a patient deviates in a negative sense from the norm. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to check if the type I error of both approaches is adequately controlled, and to investigate the power of both approaches to detect deviation from the norm. The results indicate that the type I error rate of both approaches is correct, even in small samples. The results also indicate that the power is higher for the univariate approach if the normative sample size is very small (i.e. just exceeds the number of tests administered). In larger samples, the multivariate comparison has in general increased power. We illustrate both approaches with a clinical example of patients with Parkinson disease, who received deep brain stimulation to alleviate motor symptoms, and who were neuropsychologically evaluated to detect possible cognitive side effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As two alternative options in a forced choice task are separated by design, two classes of computational models of decision-making have thrived independently in the literature for nearly five decades. While sequential sampling models (SSM) focus on response times and keypresses in binary decisions in experimental paradigms, dynamic neural fields (DNF) focus on continuous sensorimotor dimensions and tasks found in perception and robotics. Recent attempts have been made to address limitations in their application to other domains, but strong similarities and compatibility between prominent models from both classes were hardly considered. This article is an attempt at bridging the gap between these classes of models, and simultaneously between disciplines and paradigms relying on binary or continuous responses. A unifying formulation of representative SSM and DNF equations is proposed, varying the number of units which interact and compete to reach a decision. The embodiment of decisions is also considered by coupling cognitive and sensorimotor processes, enabling the model to generate decision trajectories at trial level. The resulting mechanistic model is therefore able to target different paradigms (forced choices or continuous response scales) and measures (final responses or dynamics). The validity of the model is assessed statistically by fitting empirical distributions obtained from human participants in moral decision-making mouse-tracking tasks, for which both dichotomous and nuanced responses are meaningful. Comparing equations at the theoretical level, and model parametrizations at the empirical level, the implications for psychological decision-making processes, as well as the fundamental assumptions and limitations of models and paradigms are discussed. • Sequential sampling & dynamic neural field model decisions without cross-fertilizing. • Unifying terminologies and equations are proposed to bridge this long lasting gap. • The model fits empirical mouse-tracking data relying on various response paradigms. • Cognitive & sensorimotor components combined generate plausible mouse trajectories. • Inferences on the interplay between paradigms & human decision-making are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 16 different types of PET trays from LWP and SP's samples were characterised. • Composition of PET tray as packaging objects, polymers, contaminants was determined. • Mechanical and chemical recyclability assessment of PET trays was implemented. • A few less common PET trays are suitable to obtain rPET through mechanical process. • For the most common PET trays the more appropriate recycling is depolymerisation. The compositions of Dutch lightweight packaging waste (LWP) and sorted products named "PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) trays" have been determined on object level. Additionally, the PET trays from both waste types were sorted in 16 categories representing their packaging use and material build-up. The material composition of at least 10 representative trays from each category was determined with chemical and thermal analysis, based on which the average material composition per category was established. Based on this data the average material composition of sorted PET tray products was approximated. The recyclability of the various categories of PET trays was assessed based on their material build-up. The most ubiquitous PET trays in Dutch LWP and sorted products were only found to be suitable to produce opaque recycled PET with mechanical recycling processes. Whereas only some more uncommon PET trays can be used to produce transparent recycled PET with mechanical recycling processes. Depolymerisation is deemed to be a more appropriate recycling process that will allow the production of transparent food-grade recycled PET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A procedure is presented for restyling the lay-out and management offarms in order to increase the biodiversity in the agricultural landscape as well as the sustainability of farming. The protocol for the development of an on-farm Nature Management Plan explicitly uses landscape ecology characteristics, local biotic and abiotic data and potential, as well as the farming system data and farmer's personal interests. It may also enhance the farmer's interest and understanding of agro-ecological pattern and process and induce a more conscious approach to elements of nature on the farm, which may be the starting point in ecologising agricultural practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Thermochemical (TC) heat storage is an interesting technology for future seasonal storage of solar heat in the built environment. This technology enables high thermal energy storage densities and low energy storage losses. A small-scale laboratory prototype TC storage system has been realized at ECN, applying an open sorption system concept. The packed bed contains 17dm3 of sorption material and is capable of generating 150W of thermal power. An effective energy storage density of approximately 0.5GJ/m3 was obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To progress towards closed-loop recycling of plastic packages it is vital to understand the origin of contaminants and to develop effective mitigation strategies. High density polyethylene (HDPE) milk bottles were sampled at nine different locations along the recycling value chain and analysed with two gas chromatography – mass spectroscopy methods to study the presence of volatile organic compounds. The total approximated concentration of volatiles reduced over time from the production of the bottles up to the cross-docking facility for the separately collected lightweight packaging waste (from about 250 to 100 ppm), as alkanes and alkenes evaporate from the bottle. A clear maximum was observed in the number of identified of volatiles and in the total approximated concentration in milk bottles at the sorted HDPE product. Here contaminants peaked that originate from the milk, from other packaging components (labels, caps, inlays), from other packages and from the surrounding atmosphere. When only the milk bottles were manually separated out from this sorted product and these were mechanically recycled, flakes were obtained that contain the least amount of volatile compounds, much less than the freshly produced bottles (about 25–50 ppm). The type of volatiles present was, however, markedly different. In the freshly produced bottles alkanes, alkenes and intentionally added anti-oxidant were found, whereas in the recycled flakes mostly contaminants were found that originated from: the milk, the other packaging components, other packages and the surrounding atmosphere. Seven different contamination pathways were discerned. The gathered knowledge facilitates the future development of food-grade recycled HDPE. [Display omitted] • Freshly produced HDPE milk bottles contain more volatiles than its recycled flakes. • Plastic packages are contaminated via seven different contamination pathways. • Bale pressing with other packages causes most cross-contamination. • Sorting milk bottles into a separate product minimises contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk perceptions concerning genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are often considered to reflect media coverage. However, it might be said that people seek out information consistent with their attitudes and avoid information which could challenge them. This process refers to the selective exposure principle derived from cognitive dissonance theory. Although this principle is now well established, the only two studies carried out to date in the field of GMOs have produced contradictory results. Additionally, no study has considered the link between risk perceptions, threat perceptions and attitudes as possible antecedents of selective exposure in the field of GMOs. The aim of the present research was to fill this gap. Results of a multiple-mediation model showed that people did in fact expose themselves selectively in the field of GMOs: The higher the level of general risk perception they reported, the higher the perceived threat, the more negative their attitude towards GMOs and the greater their inclination to expose themselves to information on the harmful effects of GM food. We discuss the consequences of selective exposure and the potential levers which could favor exposure to pros and cons, thereby also favoring informed food choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]