A simple physical activation strategy for commercial carbon towards smaller cation ionic liquid-based supercapacitors

Effect of silica removal and steam activation on extra-porous activated carbons from rice husks for methane storage

ABSTRACTIntroductionOlder adults living in institutional long‐term care benefit from engaging in physical activity adapted to their functioning. Despite evidence of solutions to promote physical activity, recurrent evidence shows that older adults spend their time sedentary. More in‐depth knowledge is needed about the current state of promoting the physical activity of older adults in institutional long‐term care for improved practice in the future. We aimed to increase the understanding of older adults' physical activity promotion in institutional long‐term care by investigating how, how much and by whom older adults' physical activity is promoted.MethodsThis is a concurrent mixed‐method case study using data from a larger research project performed in an institutional, full‐time, long‐term care unit in Finland. Thirteen older adults and 12 staff members participated. Data were collected through focus groups, interviews, patient record transcripts and actigraphy between May and October 2023. A mixed‐method analysis was conducted using the framework ‘Following a thread’. Separate analyses of datasets were conducted, including analyses of qualitative and quantitative data using reflexive thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. Analytical questions were identified and further explored using all datasets to synthesise findings.ResultsFour themes were developed: (1) lack of physical activity, (2) plans for physical activity promotion, (3) nurses' role in activity promotion and (4) accessibility and freedom of movement.ConclusionCurrent activity promotion is not sufficient for older adults to achieve the benefits of physical activity for their health and functioning. Improvements are needed in delivering sufficient physical activities. Nurses' role in activity promotion should be developed to include care‐integrated activities, spontaneous and organised activities and instrumental activities of daily living for older adults. Interprofessional work to promote activity could be used more. Stimulating elements in the physical environment and increasing freedom of movement could produce improvements in physical activity. Improvements in activity promotion can potentially be achieved with simple strategies and low additional costs.

BackgroundMany youth physical activity interventions have minimal effect. To design better interventions we need to understand more about the factors that influence youth activity. Application of self-determination theory to youth physical activity, particularly the relatedness and competence, might suggest that friends and friendship groups influence the initiation and maintenance of youth physical activity. In this study we examined this issue.MethodsSeventeen focus groups were conducted with 113, 10–11 year old children, from 11 primary schools in Bristol, UK. Focus groups examined: 1) the nature of children's friendship groups; 2) associations between physical activity and social group status; and 3) how friendship groups affect the initiation and maintenance of physical activity. All focus groups were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using content analysis.ResultsParticipants reported that there were three different types of friendship groups; School friends; Neighborhood friends; and Other Friends who were friends from organized activities or children of their parents' friends. Participants had multiple groups of friends and engaged in different activities with the different groups. Possessing several groups of friends was desirable as it kept the friendships fresh and interesting. Physical activity was perceived as a positive attribute and linked to social status among boys. Among girls the association between physical activity ability and social status was more complex, appearing to differ by the norms of the group to which participants belonged. Some participants reported that low activity ability could be perceived as desirable in some social groups. Participants reported that friends provide support to initiate physical activity via co-participation (i.e. engaging in activity together); modeling of being active; and providing verbal support to engage in activity. Enjoyment was the most important factor in maintaining activity participation with participating in activity with friends a key factor influencing enjoyment.ConclusionFriendship groups affect both the initiation and maintenance of youth physical activity. Children belong to several groups and engage in different activities with different groups. Simple strategies that aim to promote physical activity via the different friendship groups could be an effective means of promoting increased physical activity in young people.

BackgroundThe promotion of physical activity among an overweight/obese population is an important challenge for clinical practitioners and researchers. In this regard, completing a questionnaire on cognitions could be a simple and easy strategy to increase levels of physical activity. Thus, the aim of the present study was to test the effect of completing a questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on the level of physical activity.MethodsOverall, 452 overweight/obese adults were recruited and randomized to the experimental or control group. At baseline, participants completed a questionnaire on cognitions regarding their participation in leisure-time physical activity (experimental condition) versus a questionnaire on fruit and vegetable consumption (control condition). The questionnaires assessed the TPB variables that are beliefs, attitude, norm, perception of control, intention and a few additional variables from other theories. At three-month follow-up, leisure-time physical activity was self-reported by means of a short questionnaire. An analysis of covariance with baseline physical activity level as covariate was used to verify the effect of the intervention.ResultsAt follow-up, 373 participants completed the leisure-time physical activity questionnaire. The statistical analysis showed that physical activity participation was greater among participants in the experimental condition than those in the control condition (F(1,370) = 6.85, p = .009, d = 0.20).ConclusionsFindings indicate that completing a TPB questionnaire has a significant positive impact on subsequent participation in physical activity. Consequently, asking individuals to complete such a questionnaire is a simple, inexpensive and easy strategy to increase the level of physical activity among overweight/obese adults.

A novel melt infiltration method promoting porosity development of low-rank coal derived activated carbon as supercapacitor electrode materials

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic the United Kingdom government released regular guidance on limiting the spread of COVID-19. People, including those with long term conditions, were told to use physical distancing, self-isolation and/or shielding during COVID-19 to protect themselves and others. A consequence of these interventions was to exacerbate poor lifestyle behaviours, namely less physical activity. Objectives To propose recommendations to support and sustain their physical activity of people with long term conditions during and after COVID-19 or other pandemics. Methods A mixed methods project was conducted. An online quantitative survey with 368 people in the United Kingdom was conducted, followed by 26 online semi-structured interviews. Results The study demonstrated that online resources are not accessible for all populations. During COVID-19 pandemic, provision of PA information was most commonly available online. Also, COVID-19 lockdowns meant the sudden loss of opportunities to be active along with the social interaction and motivation usually in place to support activity. Finally, physical activity guidelines should be more specific. Local and national government guidelines were identified as unclear for those living with long term conditions and should be more specific regarding what people who were shielding could and could not do. Conclusions Based on the findings, more suitable and accessible physical activity guidelines for people with long term conditions is recommended. Also, prioritizing vulnerable groups is recommended to support physical activity to avoid the worsening of emotional wellbeing, and quality of life. Finally, government and public health authorities should consider charities and long term conditions voluntary organizations to design bespoke physical activity recommendations and guidelines for those shielding at home and living with long term conditions. Key messages • Government and public health authorities design bespoke PA recommendations for those living with LTCs. • Simple strategies such as ‘move more and sit less’ or ‘breaking up sitting time’ could be promoted as safe and accessible options for those living with LTCs.

Background: Understanding the mechanisms (mediators) of behavior change is crucial to designing more effective interventions. However, this is rarely reported. This paper investigates the mechanisms that explain the lack of intervention effect on physical activity and the significant effect on television viewing time from an early childhood trial. Methods: Secondary analyses were undertaken of data from a cluster randomized controlled trial. The Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (INFANT) was a 15-month group program promoting obesity-protective behaviors from the age of 4 months. Outcomes relevant to the current study were child physical activity (accelerometer), television viewing time (maternal report) and 12 potential mediator scales (maternal report). Linear regression models used the product of coefficients method with a joint significance test. Results: Complete data were from 398 mother-child dyads. Despite weak evidence of an intervention effect on the mother’s physical activity knowledge and optimism, there was no effect on children’s physical activity, and no clear mechanisms were identified. An intervention effect was observed for the mothers’ television knowledge (unstandardized regression coefficient for a path (a) = 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI95) = 0.22, 0.45), with weak evidence for maternal efficacy (a = 0.11, CI95 = −0.02, 0.24) and the use of television (a = −0.10, CI95 = −0.22, 0.01). The intervention impact on television knowledge explained 75% of the difference between the intervention and control groups in children’s television viewing. Conclusions: In the very early childhood period, as mothers are commencing their parenting journey, improving their behavioral knowledge appears to be the biggest contributor to reducing child television viewing, constituting a relatively simple strategy that could be implemented across clinical and public health settings. In contrast, it remains unclear what mechanisms may increase physical activity levels in this age group.

Utilizing a Simple Stimulus Control Strategy to Increase Physician Referrals for Physical Activity Promotion

Lifestyle habits of primary care patients with recent, intentional weight loss are unclear and need to be better understood to aid in translational health promotion efforts. We aimed to characterize diet and exercise habits in primary care patients with recent, intentional weight loss, comparing those with greater (≥10%) versus lesser (5% to <10%) weight loss. This was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomized trial comparing weight loss maintenance interventions. The study included primary care patients, 18–75 yr old, with ≥5% intentional weight loss via lifestyle change in the past 2 yr. Participants (74% female, 87% white) were 53 ± 12 yr of age, had a body mass index of 30.4 ± 5.9 kg·m−2, and had a recent weight loss of 11% ± 8% (mean ± SD). Dietary habits were measured by the Diet Habits Survey. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured by self-report and objectively by pedometer. On average, participants reported high fruits and vegetables intake (five servings per day) and low intake of fried foods (one serving per week), desserts (one serving per week), and sugar-sweetened beverages (zero servings per week). Those with greater versus lesser weight loss had higher intake of fruits and vegetables (P = 0.037) and low-fat foods or recipes (P = 0.019). Average self-reported moderate-vigorous physical activity was 319 ± 281 min·wk−1, with significant differences between greater (374 ± 328 min·wk−1) versus lesser (276 ± 230 min·wk−1) weight loss groups (P = 0.017). By pedometer, 30% had ≥7500 steps per day; the proportion was higher in greater (43%) versus lesser (19%) weight loss groups (P = 0.005). For weight loss, clinical patients typically use simple strategies such as five or more fruits and vegetables per day, fried foods and desserts ≤1·wk−1, elimination of sugary drinks, choosing low-fat foods/recipes, and physical activity 45–60 min·d−1.

Insulin therapy is an effective strategy for achieving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Although often neglected, it is important to use an appropriate diet strategy to complement the insulin. Furthermore, a basic tenet of such therapy is that insulin dosage and administration should be appropriate to balance diet and physical activity in order to maintain normoglycemia. In this issue of Diabetes Car e, Bergenstal et al. (1) evaluated two strategies for determining the appropriate dosage of mealtime bolus insulin. A simple algorithm that adjusted bolus insulin dose based on weekly average of premeal glucose was compared with an algorithm based on mealtime carbohydrate counting. The authors demonstrated the equivalence of both the simple strategy and the more elaborate carbohydrate-counting strategy in achieving glycemic control; almost one-half the participants in both groups achieved an A1C <6.5%. Can patients with type 2 diabetes treated with basal:bolus insulin succeed without adding the complexity of carbohydrate counting? Carbohydrate counting has been around since the 1920s and became integral in managing patients with type 1 diabetes after the landmark findings of the Diabetes Control and Complications …

Sedentary behavior is associated with poor physical and mental health. Targeting sedentary behavior is a simple strategy that may help counter physical and mental health concerns associated with COVID-19-related social restrictions. Of course, traditional strategies such as achieving optimal exercise and physical activity levels are also important and should be recommended. However, even under normal circumstances, the difficulty in promoting lasting exercise habits at multiple levels (e.g. individual, environment, policy) are well documented, and chances of maintaining or improving these factors is now even lower. Thus, relative to other lifestyle behaviors – sedentary behavior may be more amenable to change. Moreover, reducing sedentary behavior may be less susceptible to influence from factors associated with health disparities such as age, race, and socio-economic status compared to exercise or physical activity. Sedentary behavior is a feasible health strategy that should be targeted during COVID-19.

BackgroundAgricultural or gardening activity (also known as hobby farming) is a simple strategy that may be effective for maintaining health and preventing lifestyle-related diseases. However, its preventive effect on the development of conditions associated with neurovascular aging (e.g., stroke and dementia) remains unclear.ObjectiveTo comprehensively investigate the preventive role of regular agricultural or gardening physical activity (AGPA) in neurovascular aging and its underlying mechanisms using two approaches.MethodsWe conducted an experimental study in which we assessed arterial stiffness, cognitive performance (Flanker and Stroop tests), and circulating biomarkers (e.g., plasmin-α2-plasmin inhibitor complexes, nitric oxide, brain-derived neurotrophic factor) in 12 male students (average age: 22 ± 1 years) before and after three 40-min interventions (resting, cycling, and simulated AGPA) under controlled conditions. We also conducted a cross-sectional study, in which we recruited 161 (79 in the AGPA group and 82 in the control group) hospital-based older individuals (average age: 78 ± 5 years) and assessed their history of stroke, cognitive function, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.ResultsIn the experimental study, simulated AGPA reduced arterial stiffness, improved executive cognitive function, and elevated circulating plasmin-α2-plasmin inhibitor complexes, nitric oxide, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Brain MRI-assessed cerebral white matter hyperintensities caused by reduced blood flow to brain tissue and stroke prevalence were lower, and cognitive scores (as assessed by the Hasegawa Dementia Scale-Revised) were higher in the AGPA group than in the control group.ConclusionOur findings suggest that regular AGPA is associated with markers of slower neurovascular aging in older individuals. AGPA induces a combination of general physical activity-related and specific AGPA-related effects; moreover, it may offer similar or even greater benefits than physical activity alone. Therefore, habitual AGPA may serve as an effective preventive strategy for neurovascular aging.

Background/Objectives: Heart transplantation substantially improves survival and quality of life in patients with advanced heart failure; however, many heart transplantation patients fail to recover normal physical activity levels. Persistent inactivity compromises secondary prevention and long-term outcomes. Kinesiophobia—an excessive and irrational fear of movement—may act as a central barrier limiting physical activity after heart transplantation. This study aimed to explore how kinesiophobia develops and interacts with physical and psychological factors that influence adherence to an active lifestyle after heart transplantation. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in 24 adult heart transplantation patients (mean age 62.1 years; 83% male) at a tertiary hospital in Spain. Semi-structured interviews lasting 35–60 min were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Methodological rigour was ensured through triangulation, reflexivity, and transparent documentation of analytic decisions. Results: Three interrelated themes were identified: (1) Kinesiophobia, characterised by fear of overexertion and avoidance of performing physical activity; (2) physical limitations, including fatigue, muscle weakness, treatment side effects, and intensified perceptions of vulnerability; and (3) psychological distress, encompassing anxiety, demotivation, and frustration, which intensified inactivity. These domains formed a self-perpetuating cycle that restricted participation in physical activity. Some participants reported simple adaptive strategies, such as pacing, walking and social support that enhanced their sense of safety and confidence. Conclusions: Kinesiophobia, physical limitations, and psychological distress interact to restrict physical activity in heart transplantation patients. Our findings suggest that rehabilitation should integrate psychological support, cognitive-behavioural strategies, and tailored education to reduce fear, enhance self-efficacy, and promote sustainable physical activity engagement.

Evidence suggests that children and adolescents fail to meet international physical activity recommendations and are at heightened risk of non-communicable conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. Active Transport is one of a set of school-based strategies proposed to help meet daily physical activity targets. Physically active ways of travelling to and from school have received growing support as a simple, accessible, and inexpensive population-level strategy that can be integrated into students’ routines. This study’s objective was to review evidence from across Europe of Active Transport ’s contribution to promoting health-enhancing physical activity. The approach involves examining two bodies of literature: the relationship between Active Transport and physical activity levels; and the effects of interventions to promote physical activity through Active Transport. A rapid review protocol gathered and analysed published academic evidence related to these topics. This is the first review to take a European focus, indicating that Active Transport interventions have produced mixed results. Nevertheless, well-designed interventions can significantly contribute to increasing children’s physical activity levels.

Associating geospatially assessed walkability with population health physical activity indicators from urban and regional settings: A case study from Tasmania, Australia.