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The aim of this systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression was to examine the effects of virtual reality-based training on global cognition and executive function compared with conventional training or information-based treatment in older adults, regardless of cognitive level. A systematic literature search was conducted using four databases. A total of 31 randomized controlled trials were identified. Pooled effect sizes were calculated, the risk of bias was assessed, and evidence was graded. The primary analyses showed a small but statistically significant effect of virtual reality-based training compared with control on global cognition (Hedges' g 0.42, 95% confidence interval [0.17, 0.68], I2 = 70.1%, n = 876, 20 randomized controlled trials, low evidence) and executive function (Hedges' g 0.35, 95% confidence interval [0.06, 0.65], I2 = 68.4%, n = 810, 16 randomized controlled trials, very low evidence). Meta-regression yielded inconclusive results. Virtual reality-based training may be more effective than control in improving cognition in older adults; however, more high-quality studies are needed.

We report the trace element status of residents living in areas with naturally sulphide-rich bedrock and soil in two municipalities in Finland, Sotkamo and Kaavi. Altogether, 225 people from these sparsely populated regions participated voluntarily by providing hair and blood samples. The concentrations of calcium, zinc and copper in serum as well as selenium and cadmium in whole blood did not show correlation with those concentrations in hair samples. Calcium concentration in serum was slightly lower in the sulphide-rich areas (median value 91.4 mg/l, n = 103) than in the areas with adjacent sulphur-poor bedrock (median value 93.6 mg/l, n = 82). The concentrations of Ni and Mn in hair correlated with those in drinking water. The highest Mn and Ni concentrations in the water samples from private wells were 1620 µg/l and 51 µg/l and the highest concentrations in human hair samples 36.44 mg/kg and 12.3 mg/kg, respectively. The challenge with elevated trace element concentrations in some well waters is well documented. In northern countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway and Canada), only 10% of the population depend on private well water, and 90% have access to monitored municipal water supplies. Compared with data available from sulphide mine sites globally, the nickel and manganese concentrations in human hair samples were high in our sulphide-rich study area at Sotkamo representing the trace element status of residents under natural conditions., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Consumers having a strong unhealthy = tasty (UT) belief are less likely to choose healthy food even though they recognize its health benefits, because they assume healthy food to be unpalatable. The aim of this study was to profile consumers according to their UT belief and specify the strength of the belief among a demographically representative consumer group. The other aim was to investigate the effect of UT belief on expectations of two food products representing either an unhealthy or a healthy image. A total of 1537 consumers participated in the online survey. The scale-based (1-7) mean for UT belief was 3.27 and related positively to male gender and food pleasure orientation and negatively to general health interest. The results indicate that a strong UT belief correlates with positive expectations of unhealthy food and with negative expectations of healthy food. UT belief seemed to increase expected food-associated guilt, but other strong food-related attitudes (health interest with unhealthy food and pleasure orientation with healthy food) reduced this effect. In practice, understanding the relationship between UT belief and personal factors and attitudes, and the importance of this belief to food expectations can assist in finding the tools to encourage consumers towards healthier food choices.

Background: The mobility of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (I MPTJ) has been related to the proper windlass mechanism and the triceps surae during the heel-off phase of running gait; the orthopedic treatment of the I MPTJ restriction has been made with typical Morton extension orthoses (TMEO). Nowadays it is unclear what effects TMEO or the novel inverted rocker orthoses (NIRO) have on the EMG activity of triceps surae during running., Objective: To compare the TMEO effects versus NIRO on EMG triceps surae on medialis and lateralis gastrocnemius activity during running., Study Design: A cross-sectional pilot study., Methods: 21 healthy, recreational runners were enrolled in the present research (mean age 31.41 ± 4.33) to run on a treadmill at 9 km/h using aleatory NIRO of 6 mm, NIRO of 8 mm, TMEO of 6 mm, TMEO of 8 mm, and sports shoes only (SO), while the muscular EMG of medial and lateral gastrocnemius activity during 30 s was recorded. Statistical intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to test reliability was calculated and the Wilcoxon test of all five different situations were tested., Results: The reliability of values was almost perfect. Data showed that the gastrocnemius lateralis increased its EMG activity between SO vs. NIRO-8 mm (22.27 ± 2.51 vs. 25.96 ± 4.68 mV, p < 0.05) and SO vs. TMEO-6mm (22.27 ± 2.51 vs. 24.72 ± 5.08 mV, p < 0.05). Regarding gastrocnemius medialis, values showed an EMG notable increase in activity between SO vs. NIRO-6mm (22.93 ± 2.1 vs. 26.44 ± 3.63, p < 0.001), vs. NIRO-8mm (28.89 ± 3.6, p < 0.001), and vs. TMEO-6mm (25.12 ± 3.51, p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Both TMEO and NIRO have shown an increased EMG of the lateralis and medialis gastrocnemius muscles activity during a full running cycle gait. Clinicians should take into account the present evidence when they want to treat I MTPJ restriction with orthoses, and consider the inherent triceps surae muscular cost relative to running economy.

Forest harvesting, especially when intensified harvesting method as whole-tree harvesting with stump lifting (WTHs) are used, may increase mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) leaching to recipient water courses. The effect can be enhanced if the underlying bedrock and overburden soil contain Hg. The impact of stem-only harvesting (SOH) and WTHs on the concentrations of Hg and MeHg as well as several other variables in the ditch water was studied using a paired catchment approach in eight drained peatland-dominated catchments in Finland (2008-2012). Four of the catchments were on felsic bedrock and four on black schist bedrock containing heavy metals. Although both Hg and MeHg concentrations increased after harvesting in all treated sites according to the randomized intervention analyses (RIAs), there was only a weak indication of a harvest-induced mobilization of Hg and MeHg into the ditches. Furthermore, no clear differences between WTHs and SOH were found, although MeHg showed a nearly significant difference (p = 0.06) between the harvesting regimes. However, there was a clear bedrock effect, since the MeHg concentrations in the ditch water were higher at catchments on black schist than at those on felsic bedrock. The pH, suspended solid matter (SSM), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and iron (Fe) concentrations increased after harvest while the sulfate (SO4-S) concentration decreased. The highest abundances of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were found on the sites with high MeHg concentrations. The biggest changes in ditch water concentrations occurred first 2 years after harvesting.

Most often, only total mercury concentrations in soil samples are determined in environmental studies. However, the determination of extremely toxic methylmercury (MeHg) in addition to the total mercury is critical to understand the biogeochemistry of mercury in the environment. In this study, N2-assisted distillation and acidic KBr/CuSO4 solvent extraction methods were applied to isolate MeHg from wet peat soil samples collected from boreal forest catchments. Determination of MeHg was performed using a purge and trap GC-ICP-MS technique with a species-specific isotope dilution quantification. Distillation is known to be more prone to artificial MeHg formation compared to solvent extraction which may result in the erroneous MeHg results, especially with samples containing high amounts of inorganic mercury. However, methylation of inorganic mercury during the distillation step had no effect on the reliability of the final MeHg results when natural peat soil samples were distilled. MeHg concentrations determined in peat soil samples after distillation were compared to those determined after the solvent extraction method. MeHg concentrations in peat soil samples varied from 0.8 to 18 μg kg(-1) (dry weight) and the results obtained with the two different methods did not differ significantly (p=0.05). The distillation method with an isotope dilution GC-ICP-MS was shown to be a reliable method for the determination of low MeHg concentrations in unpolluted soil samples. Furthermore, the distillation method is solvent-free and less time-consuming and labor-intensive when compared to the solvent extraction method., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This study aims to increase knowledge of the ability of nutrition labels to guide consumer choices in real-life environments. Design/methodology/approach: Food consumption and plate waste data were collected from two self-service restaurants (SSR) with different customer groups over six observation days: three control and three intervention (with nutrition labelling) periods. Study Group 1 consisted of vocational school students, mostly late adolescents (N = 1,710), and Group 2 consisted of spa hotel customers, mostly elderly (N = 1,807). In the experimental restaurants, the same food was served to the buffets during the control and intervention periods. Findings: The nutrition label in the lunch buffet guides customers to eat fewer main foods and salads and to select healthier choices. Increased consumption of taste enhancers (salt and ketchup) was observed in the study restaurants after nutritional labelling. Nutrition labelling was associated with a reduction in plate waste among the elderly, whereas the opposite was observed among adolescents. Originality/value: The results provide public policymakers and marketers with a better understanding of the effects of nutrition labelling on consumer behaviour. Future studies should further evaluate the effects of nutrition labelling on the overall quality of customer diets and the complex environmental, social, and psychological factors affecting food choices and plate waste accumulation in various study groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals frequently encounter alluring food temptations that can disrupt their efforts to follow a healthy diet. These temptations may trigger pleasurable thoughts and sensations, potentially leading to unhealthy eating habits and obesity, which misalign with the goals of sustainable food systems to promote overall well-being. However, there is limited knowledge regarding how individual differences such as gender and motivation for healthy eating might impact individuals' responses to unhealthy food temptations. In an experimental investigation, 245 participants were exposed to a tasty but low-nutrient food product (potato crisps). The results provide several new insights: (a) when individuals' motivation for healthy eating is low, pleasurable experiences have a positive impact on perceived dietary quality; (b) pleasurable feelings also directly reduce willingness to consume potato crisps; (c) gender influences the relationship between pleasure-feeling and willingness to eat, with a negative relationship for women and a non-significant relationship for men; and (d) among women, there is a positive relationship between arousal and willingness to eat, while this relationship is non-significant for men. This study adds to the body of knowledge already available on food temptations, nutrition, and sustainable eating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of lead, magnesium, selenium and zinc in seminal fluid from men with variable semen quality (sperm morphology, density and motility) and fertility were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer without or with Zeeman background correction. The mean (±SD) concentration of selenium in the samples ( = 142) was 28.8 ± 9.5 μg/l, which was about a third of the corresponding serum value (77.8 ± 13.3 μg/l, = 140). The serum selenium level was significantly ( < 0.001) higher in infertile than in fertile men, but the seminal fluid did not show such a difference. No correlation was obtained between selenium values in seminal plasma and sperm density or motility. The levels of lead in seminal fluid were very low with no correlation to the levels of magnesium, selenium and zinc or the semen qualities. The seminal fluid lead concentration was significantly ( < 0.001) higher in infertile (3.6 ± 3.2 μg/l, = 79) than in fertile men (1.7 ± 1.0 μg/l, = 39). Magnesium (103.5 ± 49.2 mg/l, = 90) and zinc (141.1 + 71.7 mg/l, = 157) concentrations in seminal fluid were comparable with previous reports. Both minerals showed a positive correlation to the seminal fluid selenium, while only zinc displayed a borderline correlation with sperm density. The present findings indicate that the determination of seminal fluid selenium may not offer any advantages over zinc and magnesium measurement in the fertility assessment and its role in human semen remains obscure. The low lead concentrations in the present material is a clear indication of low industrial exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The concentrations of selenium in the reproductive organs, seminal fluid and serum of human males and bulls were analysed using an atomic absorption spectrometer with Zeeman background correction. The mean (±SD) concentration of selenium in human seminal fluid (33.4±14.1 μg/1, = 70) was less than half the level detected in serum (78.2±9.9 μg/l, =32). In bulls, the mean selenium concentration in seminal fluid (457.4±108.7μg/1, =113) was about nine times higher than in human males, while the level in serum (49.1±5.1 μg/1, =94) was significantly (<0.001) lower than in human serum. The selenium concentration (500±244 μg/I) in the bovine seminal vesicle secretions were comparable to those in the seminal fluid and this gland appears to be mainly responsible for the high selenium levels in the seminal fluid. The mean selenium concentration in reproductive tissues of both species was highest in the testes. The distribution of selenium in the bovine epididymis was biphask. The testkular and epididymal selenium are associated mainly with macromolecules of the spermatogenk cells and spermatozoa. It was concluded that studies in farm and laboratory animals do not necessarily form a reliable basis for conclusions with regard to human male reproduction, since selenium may have a different role and importance in the reproduction of various species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

One of the significant challenges in the industry of food packaging is a high demand for fresh, healthy, and safe foods with maximum shelf life. Selecting suitable packaging materials can be helpful to retain the quality of the food product. Petroleum-based plastics, because of their various structure and strength, are widely applied in many industries, for example, the packaging industry. Nowadays, the replacement of petroleum-based polymers with biodegradable polymers has been expanded in food packaging due to limited oil storage, the increased prices of petroleum, environmental pollution, and rapid global warming. In this review, the different types of biopolyester, their production process, and usage in the food packaging and pharmaceutical are discussed. The products of agriculture and even their wastes are applied as the raw material for biopolyester production. Therefore, the use of biodegradable polymers is very valuable due to the increase of saving energy for other products producing, reducing the chemical costs, and increasing the value of agriculture waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Many parameters influence the success of sustainable projects (SPs) in the architecture–engineering–construction. One of these important parameters is the project delivery attributes (PDA), which are influenced by the project delivery system (PDS) while affecting the selection of it. This study aims to evaluate the significance of PDAs in influencing both the performance and success of SPs in Turkey, where the interest in SPs is high. Design/methodology/approach: The impact of PDAs was determined by applying the two-round Delphi method with a semistructured interview involving the main stakeholders of a construction project, like owners, designers, contractors and consultants who played active roles in SPs, as well as academics to theoretically evaluate the issue. The significance of PDAs was assessed using the relative importance index, and the results were validated using the interrater agreement analysis. Findings: The study identified key PDAs impacting SPs as owner character, commitment and motivation; simulation and energy modelling; and timing of stakeholders/early involvement. Originality/value: The investigation of the significance of the PDAs is a lesser-studied context. Therefore, a research framework that enables an effective set of methods for solving the sectoral problems of PDAs that have impacts on SPs has been proposed. The framework is expected to open new opportunities for the generation and regulation of the PDSs for SPs. The findings will provide valuable insights to project stakeholders, particularly owners, local authorities and policymakers to assess which PDAs have a greater impact on sustainability performance when setting PDSs in SPs in other developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, many restaurateurs in the food and beverage industry started using vague and abstract names to label their dishes. However, the influence of the concreteness of food names on consumers' evaluations of food remains unclear. Therefore, the present study investigated people's perceptions of food names with different levels of concreteness and their evaluations of food deliciousness and healthiness through two experiments. Experiment 1 investigated the likelihood of names with different levels of concreteness being perceived as foods or dishes through subjective guessing tasks. In line with the hypothesis of mental imagery consistency, the results revealed that individuals were more inclined to perceive high-concreteness names as actual food or dishes than low-concrete names. Experiment 2 further explored the impact of food names with different levels of concreteness on consumers' perceptions and evaluations of food in terms of the direct sensory (deliciousness) and indirect inference (healthiness) dimension. The results showed that in terms of deliciousness, consistent with the feelings-as-information theory, high-concreteness food names were rated significantly higher than low-concreteness ones. In terms of healthiness, consistent with the incongruence theory, low-concreteness food names were rated significantly higher than high-concreteness ones. These results indicated that high-concreteness names were more likely to be perceived as foods or dishes. Moreover, they also had advantages in the direct sensory dimension (deliciousness) but were perceived as less healthy in the indirect inference dimension (healthiness). The present findings provide new evidence for studies related to food naming and the evaluation of deliciousness and healthiness and offer suggestions and strategies for the food and beverage industry in naming foods and dishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to explore how historical context influences the content and selection of rhetorical legitimation strategies. Using case study method, this paper will focus on how insurance companies and labor tried to defend their legitimacy in the context of enactment of Medicare in the USA. What factors influenced the strategic (rhetorical) decisions made by insurance companies and labor unions in their institutional work? Design/methodology/approach: The study is empirically grounded in archival research, involving an analysis of over 9,000 pages of congressional hearings on Medicare covering the period 1958–1965. Findings: The authors show that rhetorical legitimation strategies depend significantly on the specific historical circumstances in which those strategies are used. The historical context lent credibility to certain arguments and organizations are forced to decide either to challenge widely held assumptions or take advantage of them. The authors show that organizations face strong incentives to pursue the latter option. Here, both the insurance companies and labor unions tried to show that their positions were consistent with classical liberal ideology, because of high respect of classical liberal principles among different stakeholders (policymakers, voters, etc.). Research limitations/implications: It is uncertain how much the results of the study could be generalized. More information about the organizations whose use of rhetorics the authors studied could have strengthened our conclusions. Practical implications: The practical relevancy of the revised paper is that the authors should not expect hegemony challenging rhetorics from organizations, which try to influence legislators (and perhaps the larger public). Perhaps (based on the findings), this kind of rhetorics is not even very effective. Social implications: The paper helps to understand better how organizations try to advance their interests and gain acceptance among the stakeholders. Originality/value: In this paper, the authors show how historical context in practice influence rhetorical arguments organizations select in public debates when their goal is to influence the decision-making of their audience. In particular, the authors show how dominant ideology (or ideologies) limit the options organizations face when they are choosing their strategies and arguments. In terms of the selection of rhetorical justification strategies, the most pressing question is not the "real" broad based support of certain ideologies. Insurance company and labor union representatives clearly believed that they must emphasize liberal values (or liberal ideology) if they wanted to gain legitimacy for their positions. In existing literature, it is often assumed that historical context influence the selection of rhetorical strategies but how this in fact happens is not usually specified. The paper shows how interpretations of historical contexts (including the ideological context) in practice influence the rhetorical strategies organizations choose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal nutritional needs during pregnancy increase due to physiological, metabolic and anatomical changes. If the intake is insufficient, there will be deficiencies in both macro and micro nutrients. Multimicronutrient deficiency will affect the growth and anemia status of pregnant women. Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of giving iodized salt and Multi Micronutrient Supplements to pregnant women on hemoglobin levels, body weight, iodine levels in urine and pregnancy outcomes. Method: This research is an analytical research using an experimental design that controls several nonexperimental variables and there is a control group as a comparison group to understand the effect of treatment. Determining the sample in this study used a random experimental method where 200 pregnant women were used as the research sample. The results showed that there was a significant change or increase in Hb levels (p=0.006; <0.000; <0.000), body weight (p=0.001; <0.000; <0.000), lila (<0.0015; <0.000; <0.000), Iodine levels (<0.000; <0.000; <0.000), between the group given iodized salt and MMS and the group given MMS. In this study, in the group of pregnant women who received iodized salt and MMS intervention, on average there was an increase or change in HB levels, iodine levels, mother's weight, baby's weight and abdominal length and circumference compared to those who received MMS. for pregnant women is to regularly maintain nutritional intake during pregnancy, especially consuming iodized salt and MMS which is beneficial for the health of pregnant women and the baby they are carrying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The mercury-binding capacity of seleno-DL-methionine and selenium dioxide was assessed in male Wistar rats. Mercury was supplied as fish loaves made of northern pike or rainbow trout. We used a selenium concentration of 3.4 mg/kg fish, about sixfold compared to the equivalent quantity of mercury. Seleno-DL-methionine had a tendency to increase both methyl mercury and total mercury in blood, although it also seemed to reduce the proportion of methyl mercury of total mercury. Selenium dioxide lowered mercury levels by 24-29% both in the blood and in the liver of rats that were fed with northern pike.

The carcinogenic potential of cadmium might be affected by several factors such as smoking, hormones and presence of other metals, such as selenium and zinc. Cadmium was analyzed in breast-fat tissue of 43 breast cancer patients and 32 healthy control subjects. Patients were thoroughly characterized according to such variables as stage of cancer, smoking habits, and number of children. Correlation of cadmium levels with these variables, with hormone receptors, and with previously reported selenium and zinc were all analyzed. The mean cadmium concentration found in breast cancer patients (20.4 +/- 17.5 micrograms/g) did not differ significantly from that of the healthy controls (31.7 +/- 39.4 micrograms/g). However, unexpectedly high concentrations of cadmium (3.2-86.9 vs. 0.1-160.4 micrograms/g) were found in breast samples, which may indicate that cadmium binding proteins exist in human breast tissue. Correlation of cadmium with smoking rate of cancer patients was positive (Rs = 0.0505, p < 0.05). Correlation of cadmium with estrogen receptors in breast cancer was suggestive (Rs = 0.309, 28 cases, P = 0.06). No correlation was found with other trace elements such as selenium, zinc and copper. These results seem neither to prove nor to disprove the role of cadmium in breast cancer initiation, promotion or progression.