Short-term Working Research Articles

Chronic corticosterone exposure impairs emotional regulation and cognitive function through disturbing neural oscillations in mice

Corticosterone is a stress hormone, which is often associated with a variety of the central nervous system diseases. The study was to investigate the effects of Chronic corticosterone exposure (CCE) on the alteration of neural oscillatory patterns which supported a wide range of basic and higher cognitive activities, and a potential mechanism. Accordingly, a chronic corticosterone exposure model was established in C57BL mice. Behavioral experiments showed that emotion regulation and short-term working memory were significantly impaired in CCE mice. Neural oscillation analysis showed that the increase of corticosterone reduced the theta-band energy but increased the gamma-band energy in the hippocampus dentate gyrus (DG) region. Moreover, the theta rhythm synchronization between perforant path (PP) and DG, and the strength of theta-gamma cross-frequency coupling were significantly attenuated in CCE mice. Meanwhile, CCE treatment could inhibit the expression of PSD95, SYP and NMDAR2A/B and increased the expression of GAD67 and GABAR. These results suggest that CCE may lead to emotion regulation and short-term working memory dysfunction through disturbing neural activity patterns, which was closely associated with disrupting the excitatory-inhibitory balance.

Therapeutic potential of hair follicle-derived stem cell intranasal transplantation in a rat model of ischemic stroke

BackgroundStem cell-based therapy has received considerable attention as a potential candidate in the treatment of ischemic stroke; however, employing an appropriate type of stem cells and an effective delivery route are still challenging. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of safe, noninvasive, and brain-targeted intranasal administration of hair follicle-derived stem cells (HFSCs) in a rat model of ischemic stroke.MethodsStem cells were obtained from the adult rat hair follicles. In experiment 1, stroke was induced by 30 min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and stem cells were intranasally transplanted immediately after ischemia. In experiment 2, stroke was induced by 120 min MCAO and stem cells were administered 24 h after cerebral ischemia. In all experimental groups, neurological performance, short-term spatial working memory and infarct volume were assessed. Moreover, relative expression of major trophic factors in the striatum and cortex was evaluated by the quantitative PCR technique. The end point of experiment 1 was day 3 and the end point of experiment 2 was day 15.ResultsIn both experiments, intranasal administration of HFSCs improved functional performance and decreased infarct volume compared to the MCAO rats. Furthermore, NeuN and VEGF expression were higher in the transplanted group and stem cell therapy partially prevented BDNF and neurotrophin-3 over-expression induced by cerebral ischemia.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the curative potential of HFSCs following intranasal transplantation in a rat model of ischemic stroke.

Habilidades cognitivas de idosos institucionalizados com sintomas depressivos

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the level of association between depressive symptoms and cognitive abilities of institutionalized older adults. Methods This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 69 older adults, living in a long-term care facility. Investigation of depressive symptoms in all individuals was performed using the geriatric depression scale. Cognitive verbal fluency, digit span forward (DSF) and backward (DSB) tests, and two-minute stationary gait, sit-to-stand test, and six-minute walk test were performed to assess their association with depressive symptoms. Results Depressive symptoms were identified in 35 individuals. Worse cognition and physical performances were associated with the presence of depressive symptoms – Mini-Mental State Examination [t (61) = 2.36; p < 0.05] and Stationary gait test of two minutes [t (53) = 3.12; p < 0.05]. Short-term memory and working memory tests presented worse results in individuals with depressive symptoms (DSF: U = 402.00; p < 0.05 e DSB: U = 341,00; p < 0.05). Older adults with scores below normal in DSF were 5 times more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms. Conclusion The importance of physical, cognitive and social intervention strategies in long-term care facilities for the older adults is highlighted, in order to privilege autonomy. Notably, there is an association between deficits in short-term memory and the presence of depressive symptoms in older adults. Therefore, prospective studies are suggested to investigate the cause-effect relationship of this association with the institutionalization of older adults.

Role of Uganda Police Land Desks on Conflict Management in Wakiso and Mukono Districts

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the role of Uganda police land desks in conflict management in Wakiso and Mukono districts. Methodology: The research adopted a cross sectional and descriptive survey research designs which involving both qualitative and quantitative studies. The study population consisted of community members in Wakiso and Mukono districts who were affected by (victims of) land conflicts; Police land desks officials and the district land boards with purposive and stratified sampling used to select them. A sample of 385 respondents was used and questionnaires, interview guides, focus group discussion and documentary review were used to collect data with both SPSS and content analysis was used to analyze the field data. Findings: According to the findings from the field, respondents agreed that police land desk in Mukono and Wakiso district carried out sensitizing of communities on crimes associated with land wrangles and their penalties as represented with 26.75% of respondents. In addition, police land desk in Mukono and Wakiso districts expressed hearing of crimes associated with land wrangles as represented with 30.65% of respondents. Also to note, police land desk controls eviction of people from their land as represented with 27.27% of respondents. Police land desk department authorizes the protection of sites where land wrangles are taking place in the district of both Mukono and Wakiso, this was represented with 27.79% of respondents. Police land desk in their role in conflict management, majority of 70% of the respondents believe that the police are ineffective. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: findings from the study would shed light on how police land desks are developing and identify the determinants of this development, and the implication of the development processes on land conflict management. Further findings would offer different experiences of the land desks both in Uganda police and elsewhere in the world and validate the need for long-term processes to address some of the critical barriers to achieving justice especially women, children among others trying to enforce their land rights, as opposed to short-term projects or work on individual cases.

Changes and Continuities of Land Conflicts in Wakiso and Mukono Districts

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the changes and continuities of land conflicts in Wakiso and Mukono districts. Methodology: The research adopted a cross sectional and descriptive survey research designs which involving both qualitative and quantitative studies where both purposive and stratified random sampling methods were used in selecting respondents (Police land desk officers, district land board for purposive) and stratified sampling for community/victims of land conflict. Sample of 385 respondents was used whereas SPSS was used for data analysis. Findings: From the field findings, it was found out that 23.90% of respondents from Mukono and Wakiso district a number of land conflicts have successfully been resolved by Police land desks as one of the changes and continuities of land conflicts in Wakiso and Mukono districts. After analysis from the field, it was found out that 30.65% that police land desks when resolving land disputes they hear cases to give advice and opinion which was an indicator of changes and continuities of land conflicts taking place in both districts. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The findings would offer different experiences of the land desks both in Uganda police and elsewhere in the world and validate the need for long-term processes to address some of the critical barriers to achieving justice especially women, children among others trying to enforce their land rights, as opposed to short-term projects or work on individual cases. To governments of Uganda and others, these findings would offer ideal situations to share experiences and advocate collectively for equity in access to land, use and distribution among beneficiaries.

Effect of acute aerobic exercise on short-term memory, long-term memory, and working memory in medical students of a tertiary care center in India: Possible role of endocannabinoids

Background: Recent studies have suggested that memory might benefit from physical exercise. Some studies also show that exercise has adverse effects on short-term memory. The number of studies on the effects of a single bout of exercise on memory is rather limited, and their results are inconsistent. In this study, we want to see the effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise on memory (short term and long term) when the learning session is before the exercise. We also want to see the effect of aerobic exercise on working memory when the learning session is after the exercise. Aims and Objectives: The aim is to find the effect of aerobic exercise on working, short-term and long-term memory. Materials and Methods: Sixty healthy medical students were divided into two groups of 30 each. Both groups were asked to listento 20 Arabic words (proper nouns) before the experiment. Students having any knowledge of Arabic were excluded from the study. Then, one group performed high-intensity exercise on a Bicycle Ergometer for 30 min and the other group silently relaxed on a chair. The subjects were asked to repeat the words heard after 20 min of exercise and 24 h of exercise. Data were recorded manually and analyzed statistically. In another experiment, the words were listened after the exercise was over, and the subjects were asked to recall after 20 min of exercise. Unpaired t-test was applied to compare the data between the two groups, and P-value and t-value were calculated. Results: When the words were recalled 20 min after exercise, the mean number of recalled words was more in the relaxing group (RG) than in the exercise group, but the result was reverse when recall was made 24 h after the exercise, i.e., more recall by exercise group. When the learning session was after the exercise and subjects were asked to recall words 20 min after the exercise, we found more recall by RG than the exercise group. Conclusion: We conclude that aerobic exercise has an adverse effect on short-term memory and working memory but has a beneficial effect on long-term memory.

Associations of Human Cognitive Abilities with Elevated Carbon Dioxide Concentrations in an Enclosed Chamber

Fifteen participants were exposed in an enclosed environmental chamber to investigate the effects of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration on their cognitive abilities. Three CO2 conditions (1500, 3500, and 5000 ppm) were achieved by constant air supply and additional ultrapure CO2. All participants received the same exposure under each condition, during which they performed six cognitive tests evaluating human perception, attention, short-term working memory, risky decision-making, and executive ability. Generalized additive mixed effects model (GAMM) results showed no statistically significant differences in performance on the reaction time (RT) tests, the speed perception test, and the 2-back test. This suggests that elevated CO2 concentrations below 5000 ppm did not affect participants’ perception and short-term working memory. However, a significant increase in response time was observed in the visual search (VS) test, the balloon simulation risk test (BART), and the Stroop test at 5000 ppm compared to lower exposure concentrations. The slower responses reflected the detrimental effects of elevated CO2 concentrations on visual attention, risky decision-making, and executive ability. The findings suggest that the control level of CO2 concentrations should be tighter in enclosed workplaces where rapid response and operational safety are required.

Risk Factor Profile in Youth, Genetic Risk, and Adulthood Cognitive Function: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Introduction: The role of risk factor profile in childhood and adolescence on adulthood cognitive function and whether it differs by genetic risk is still obscure. To bring this evidence, we determined cognitive domain-specific youth risk factor profiles leveraging the childhood/adolescence data from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study and examined whether genetic propensity for poor cognitive function modifies the association between the risk profiles and adulthood cognitive function. Methods: From 1980, a population-based cohort of 3,596 children (age 3–18 years) has been repeatedly followed up for 31 years. Computerized cognitive test measuring (1) memory and learning, (2) short-term working memory, (3) reaction time, and (4) information processing was performed for 2,026 participants (age 34–49 years). Cognitive domain-specific youth risk profile scores, including physical and environmental factors, were assessed from the data collected at baseline and categorized into favourable, intermediate, and unfavourable. A polygenic risk score for a poor cognitive function was categorized into low, intermediate, and high risk. Results: At all genetic risk levels, a favourable youth risk factor profile is associated with better learning and memory, short-term working memory, and information processing compared to unfavourable risk profile (e.g., β = 0.501 SD, 95% CI: 0.043–0.959 for memory and learning among participants with high genetic risk). However, no significant interactions were observed between the youth risk factor profile score and genetic propensity for any cognitive domain (p > 0.299 for all). Conclusion: A favourable youth risk factor profile may be beneficial for cognitive function in adulthood, irrespective of genetic propensity for poor cognitive function.

Short-Term Effects of Short-Term Work: Dynamics in Fatigue Across Two National Lockdowns.

Anecdotal evidence suggests work fatigue has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and work interventions to offset stresses have been effective. Our study sought to test these propositions, documenting and describing the complexity of worker well-being around two lockdown periods. Using 17 waves of data from a longitudinal study in Germany (December 2019 to June 2021, n = 1053 employees), we model discontinuous changes in work fatigue and how participation in a government-sponsored short-term work program (Kurzarbeit) affected change trajectories. The COVID-19 pandemic has not invariably resulted in work fatigue, and individuals with Kurzarbeit at the first lockdown (but not the second) showed significantly larger decreases in each form of fatigue at this transition. Future policy interventions will require more contextual nuance and to effectively support worker well-being during public health crises.

Return to work factors and vocational rehabilitation interventions for long-term, partially disabled workers: a modified Delphi study among vocational rehabilitation professionals

BackgroundLong-term disability has a great impact on both society and workers with disabilities. Little is known about the barriers which prohibit workers with long-term disabilities from returning to work and which interventions are best suited to counteract these barriers. The main purpose of this study was to obtain consensus among professionals on important return to work (RTW) factors and effective vocational rehabilitation (VR) interventions for long-term (> 2 years), partially disabled workers. Our three research questions were: (1) which factors are associated with RTW for long-term disabled workers?; (2) which factors associated with RTW can be targeted by VR interventions?; and (3) which VR interventions are the most effective to target these factors?MethodsA modified Delphi Study was conducted using a panel of 22 labour experts, caseworkers, and insurance physicians. The study consisted of several rounds of questionnaires and one online meeting.ResultsThe multidisciplinary panel reached consensus that 58 out of 67 factors were important for RTW and that 35 of these factors could be targeted using VR interventions. In five rounds, the expert panel reached consensus that 11 out of 22 VR interventions were effective for at least one of the eight most important RTW factors.ConclusionsConsensus was reached among the expert panel that many factors that are important for the RTW of short-term disabled workers are also important for the RTW of long-term partially disabled workers and that a substantial number of these factors could effectively be targeted using VR interventions. The results of this study will be used to develop a decision aid that supports vocational rehabilitation professionals in profiling clients and in choosing suitable VR interventions.

Differentiating Individuals with and without Alcohol Use Disorder Using Resting-State fMRI Functional Connectivity of Reward Network, Neuropsychological Performance, and Impulsivity Measures.

Individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) may manifest an array of neural and behavioral abnormalities, including altered brain networks, impaired neurocognitive functioning, and heightened impulsivity. Using multidomain measures, the current study aimed to identify specific features that can differentiate individuals with AUD from healthy controls (CTL), utilizing a random forests (RF) classification model. Features included fMRI-based resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) across the reward network, neuropsychological task performance, and behavioral impulsivity scores, collected from thirty abstinent adult males with prior history of AUD and thirty CTL individuals without a history of AUD. It was found that the RF model achieved a classification accuracy of 86.67% (AUC = 93%) and identified key features of FC and impulsivity that significantly contributed to classifying AUD from CTL individuals. Impulsivity scores were the topmost predictors, followed by twelve rsFC features involving seventeen key reward regions in the brain, such as the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, anterior insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and other cortical and subcortical structures. Individuals with AUD manifested significant differences in impulsivity and alterations in functional connectivity relative to controls. Specifically, AUD showed heightened impulsivity and hypoconnectivity in nine connections across 13 regions and hyperconnectivity in three connections involving six regions. Relative to controls, visuo-spatial short-term working memory was also found to be impaired in AUD. In conclusion, specific multidomain features of brain connectivity, impulsivity, and neuropsychological performance can be used in a machine learning framework to effectively classify AUD individuals from healthy controls.

Deposition of copper coatings on internal aluminum contact surfaces by high-energy plasma spraying

The deposition of functional coatings for various purposes on internal surfaces of devices and equipment is highly requested in a wide variety of production areas. In the electric power industry, there is a problem of combining a copper‑aluminum contact pair in the conical terminals of vacuum switches with the possibility of providing a low contact resistance and a high tightening torque or compression force, respectively. In this work, it is proposed to use high-energy plasma spraying for reliable combining copper and aluminum by Cu plasma spraying onto the inner conical Al contact surfaces. For this, a unique configuration of a high-energy plasma accelerator has been developed, which ensures producing and uniform spraying of Cu material in a single short-term working process (less than 1 ms). The dependence of the amount of deposited Cu material on the value of the specific supplied energy has been established to ensure the deposition of coating with a thickness not less than 40 μm and porosity from 3 to 8%. Also, the process implementation at increased supplied energy is found to provide the Cu and Al combination with a fourfold decrease in the contact resistance in comparison with the classical method of their connection. In addition, the high-energy plasma spraying results in forming an intermediate layer between copper coating and aluminum substrate containing intermetallic phases of Al4Cu6 and Cu3Al2. This layer is characterized by increased microhardness (up to 6–12 GPa) and provides high adhesion (more than 2000 MPa) due to hydrodynamic mixing of Cu and Al.

The relationships between language, working memory and rapid naming in children with mild to moderate hearing loss

ObjectiveHearing loss is associated with reduced quality and quantity of auditory input, and difficulty in cognitive and language skills. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between language, working memory, and rapid naming skills in children with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss (MMHL). MethodsTwenty children with MMHL with the same auditory experience and demographical conditions using bilateral hearing aids were included. Verbal memory subscale of the Working Memory Scale (WMS), consisting of verbal short-term memory (V-STM) and verbal working memory (V-WM) subtests, was administered to all participants. They also completed rapid automatized naming tasks and standardized language measures. ResultsThe language score showed a moderate and significant correlation with verbal memory (VM) score (p = 0.03, r = 0.48) and a moderate and negative correlation with rapid automatized naming (RAN) duration (p = 0.06, r = −0.61). The VM score showed a moderate and significant negative correlation with RAN duration (p = 0.01, r = −0.67). The language level has a strong and significant positive correlation with V-STM (p = 0.007, r = 0.60), V-WM (p = 0.009, r = 0.58), and VM level (p = 0.003, r = 0.65). VM subtests levels have a strong and significant positive correlation with each other (p = 0.017, r = 0.53). RAN level has a strong and significant negative correlation with VM (p = 0.001, r = −0.70), V-WM (p = 0.001, r = −0.76), V-STM (p = 0.001, r = −0.69), and language level (p = 0.001, r = −0.77). ConclusionThe results suggest that the language, verbal working memory, and rapid naming skills of children with MMHL are closely related. It is recommended that the relationship between verbal short-term memory, verbal working memory, rapid naming skills, and language skills should be considered in therapeutic and educational settings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the relationships between verbal-short-term -working memory, duration of rapid automatized naming, and language skills in children with MMHL.

The Percentages of Cognitive Skills Deficits among Chinese Children with Developmental Dyslexia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The current study was conducted to examine the percentages of cognitive skills deficits among Chinese children with developmental dyslexia. Via a systematic review, we collated twenty-two available studies on the proportion of cognitive skills deficits, including phonological awareness, rapid automatized naming, morphological awareness, orthographic knowledge, short-term memory and working memory, and visual and motor skills deficits, among Chinese children with developmental dyslexia. The results of a meta-analysis showed that the rapid automatized naming deficits are the core deficit of developmental dyslexia among Chinese children, with a pooled percentage of 44%. This is followed by orthographic knowledge deficits (43%), phonological awareness deficits (41%), morphological awareness deficits (40%), visual and motor skills deficits (33%), and short-term memory and working memory deficits (25%). At the same time, we compared the proportions of different locations, ages, standards and control groups.

Contributions of orthographic awareness, letter knowledge, and patterning skills to Chinese literacy skills and arithmetic competence

This study investigated the unique contribution of orthographic awareness, letter knowledge, and patterning skills to early literacy and arithmetic competence. A total of 145 third-year kindergarten (K3) children (M age: 73.43 months, SD = 5.36; 70 boys, 48%) from Hong Kong participated in this study. Children were assessed on their patterning skills, orthographic awareness, letter knowledge, verbal short-term working memory, visual-spatial perception, Chinese word reading, word writing, and arithmetic competence. With demographic variables and cognitive skills controlled, multilevel regression models indicated that patterning skills uniquely contributed to Chinese word reading and arithmetic competence but not to Chinese word writing. Orthographic awareness was a strong predictor of the three academic outcomes. Letter knowledge was significantly predictive of word reading and word writing but not of arithmetic competence. These findings highlight the differential roles of orthographic awareness, letter knowledge, and patterning skills in children’s literacy and arithmetic skills.

The impact of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic on work-related accidents in Austria in 2020.

BackgroundThis study aims to investigate the impact of the lockdowns during the COVID-19 (Corona-Virus-Disease 19) pandemic in Austria on work-related accidents in the year 2020. Apart from the lockdowns, multiple work-related measures were introduced in 2020, such as the new law on short-term work and regulation on accidents during home-office. Their combined effects on work-related accidents are unknown and a secondary parameter of this study.MethodsDaily data on the number of accepted and rejected cases of work-related accidents from the Allgemeine Unfallversicherungsanstalt were obtained for the years 2019 and 2020. Based on data provided by the World Health Organization and government publications, the beginning and end dates of national hard and soft lockdown periods were derived. From this database, a difference-in-differences regression analysis on the absolute number of daily work-related accidents was conducted.ResultsOn average 272.3 work-related accidents per day were registered in 2019 and 199.4 in 2020, a statistically significant reduction of 72.9 accidents per day and total decrease of 26,164 less accidents compared to 2019. Both lockdowns had a statistically highly significant effect on work-related accidents: The hard lockdown reduced the average number of daily registered work-related accidents by 40%. The light lockdown phases reduced this number by an average of 51%. Weekends and holidays had the greatest impact on work-related accidents with a reduction of 69% and 73%, respectively.ConclusionBoth lockdown qualities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria led to a significant reduction in work-related accidents for their duration. These findings merit further investigation with more detailed data on sectors and injury-quality.Supplementary InformationThe online version of this article (10.1007/s00508-022-02013-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Surface Electromyography of the Trapezius and Sternocleidomastoid during Computer Work with Presbyopic Corrections.

During computer work in controlled laboratory conditions, wearing multifocal contact lenses (MFCLs) showed no lower muscle load but increased subjective perception of comfort with equivalent visual quality and comparable tolerance. Because musculoskeletal complaints are frequent among computer workers, this study used the muscle electrophysiological activity of shoulder and neck muscles in presbyopic computer workers who received either progressive addition lenses for general purpose (GP-PALs) or MFCLs. For this crossover study, 11 presbyopic computer workers aged 55 ± 4 years (mean ± standard deviation) were equipped with GP-PALs and MFCLs in a randomized order. Surface electromyography signals were recorded bilaterally from shoulder and neck muscles during short-term computer work tasks using an optimally adjusted visual display unit workplace. The amplitude probability distribution function, the number and total duration of EMG gaps, and sustained low-level muscle activity periods of the surface electromyography signals were calculated. Comfort and correction type preferences were assessed. Head inclination was objectively evaluated. Multifocal contact lenses elicited no significant lower muscle load than GP-PALs. The number of sustained low-level muscle activity periods longer than 60 seconds was similar between visual aids. The total amount of gaps was significantly higher with MFCLs (44 gaps) compared with progressive addition lenses for general purpose (15 gaps) in all analyzed periods for all participants. However, there were no significant differences for the median in the intraindividual comparisons (P = .22, dz = 0.52). Multifocal contact lenses scored statistically significant higher in comfort values with equivalent visual quality and comparable tolerance (P = .003, dz = 1.51). Although the study failed to show clear results, wearing MFCLs seems to enhance working comfort compared with GP-PALs subjectively.

Short and Medium-term Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Work Outcomes of Men and Women: Empirical Evidence from Central Asia

This study provides empirical evidence on the relationship between COVID-19 pandemic and work outcomes of men and women in the case of Central Asia, region with under-established formal institutions, relatively poor social infrastructure, and mostly patriarchal society. These features of Central Asian countries make them different from other developed countries that vast majority of existing literature on COVID-19 pandemic and work outcomes nexus focus on. Findings suggest that medium-term employment level is strongly dependent upon short-term work productivity, with the latter being highly dependent on several explanatory variables, including gender. Further analysis reveal that women-mothers and women working from home-office tend to have lower work productivity as short-term effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, which in turn negatively influences women’s medium-term employment level. The paper sheds light on gender-disaggregated situation in the labor market of the country and provides empirical recommendations for decision makers at both government and business levels.

Environmental satisfaction, mood and cognitive performance in semi-outdoor space in the tropics

The use of semi-outdoor space for the well-being of occupants is promoted in the tropics. Although a semi-outdoor space is often used for break space, environmental satisfaction and work performance are unclear in a semi-outdoor space as work activity space compared with air-conditioned (AC) room. This study focuses on the use of semi-outdoor space for short-term work activities such as office work and meetings. Experiments were carried out to evaluate environmental satisfaction, mood and cognitive performance in the cool and warm seasons in an AC room and a semi-outdoor space in Singapore. Eighty-nine participants answered questionnaires and conducted cognitive performance tests of Stroop test, visual backward digit span test, typing test and mind map test for 70 min per case in the AC room and semi-outdoor space with or without the operation of a ceiling fan. We analyzed the relationships among environmental satisfaction, mood, work performance by Structural Equation Modeling. The conditions which 80% of participants accepted in the semi-outdoor space were thermal environment ranged from 23.3 °C to 30.1 °C SET*, lighting levels of more than 260 lx and noise levels of less than 48 dBA. No differences in cognitive performance were found between the AC room and semi-outdoor space (p > 0.05). Mood influenced work performance (p < 0.001) while environmental satisfaction did not (p = 0.28). Self-reported performance, especially stress, influenced creativity (p = 0.047). These findings lead to the possibility of short-term work activities in the semi-outdoor space without a decrease in work performance.

Dietary Intervention in Infancy and Cognitive Function in Young Adulthood: The Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project

Consumption of saturated fatty acids (SAFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), cholesterol, and fiber have been linked with cognitive function in adults. We evaluated these associations from childhood by leveraging data from the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP). STRIP recruited children aged 5months and randomly assigned them into intervention/control groups. The intervention introduced a heart-healthy diet, characterized mainly by low consumption of SAFAs and cholesterol, through counseling at least biannually between age 7months and 20years. Diet was assessed repeatedly using food diaries. Sixyears after the end of the intervention phase, at age 26years, the participants were invited to the first postintervention follow-up, which included cognitive testing that covered learning and memory, verbal memory, short-term working memory, reaction time, information processing, and cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. We studied the associations of the STRIP intervention and the consumptions of SAFAs, PUFAs, cholesterol, and fiber within these cognitive domains. Participants in the STRIP intervention group had better cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control and were better able to manage conflicting information and ignore task-irrelevant information (0.18 SD higher in the intervention group, adjusted for sex and socioeconomic status). No associations were observed with the dietary components studied. The infancy-onset STRIP intervention, which promoted a heart-healthy diet, was favorably associated with cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control at age 26years. No associations were found for the intervention targets studied, indicating that these specific dietary components did not underlie the observed effect of the intervention.