Environmental conditions,air pollutants,and airway cells in runners: A longitudinal field study

Abstract

Runners have increased numbers of neutrophils in the airways at rest and after exercise compared with sedentary individuals. The aim of this study was to determine whether Mediterranean seasonal changes in temperature, humidity or airborne pollutants affect the airway cells of runners training outdoors in an urban environment. In nine male amateur runners, cell composition, apoptosis, and inflammatory mediators were measured in induced sputum collected at rest (baseline) and the morning after races held in the fall (21 km), winter (12 km), and summer (10 km). Concentrations of air pollutants were below the alert threshold at all times. Neutrophil differential counts tended to increase after all races (P = 0.055). Apoptosis of neutrophils increased with ozone (P < 0.005) and particulate matter <10 μm (PM₁₀) (P < 0.05) exposure. Bronchial epithelial cell counts were low at all times and weakly correlated with ozone and PM₁₀ concentrations. Apoptotic bronchial epithelial cells increased after all races (P < 0.05). Inflammatory mediators in induced sputum were low at baseline and after the races, and correlated with neutrophil differential counts only at rest. In conclusion, apoptosis of airway cells in runners appears to be affected by both exercise and environmental conditions. Apoptosis of neutrophils increased with exposure to environmental pollutants while apoptosis of bronchial epithelial cells increased after intense exercise. Since no relationship was observed between neutrophil counts and inflammatory mediators 20 h after races, airways inflammation at this time point appears blunted in healthy runners and little affected by exposure to mild seasonal changes and airborne pollutants.     

Social,cognitive, behavioural and neighbourhood characteristics associated with sedentary time in men and women living in deprived neighbourhoods

Multiple individual and neighbourhood characteristics are theorised to influence adult sedentary behaviour. The aim of this study was to examine associations between individual and neighbourhood-level characteristics in 40 deprived neighbourhoods in London, UK. A cross-sectional design was utilised with baseline data from the Well London Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial in 40 deprived neighbourhoods in London. Multilevel linear regression was used to examine associations between individual characteristics (measured by household survey), neighbourhood characteristics (neighbourhood audit, GIS and routinely available datasets) and sedentary behaviour (sitting time). Individual-level positive mental well-being and health behaviours were associated with sedentary time. Individual-level social networks were associated with decreased sedentary time in men and increased sedentary time in women. Neighbourhood-level measures of social networks and perceived neighbourhood quality were associated with reduced sedentary time. Fifteen per cent of the variance in sedentary time was attributable to differences at the neighbourhood level (intra-class correlation coefficient?=?0.15). These findings suggest that social networks at the individual and neighbourhood levels, collective perceptions of neighbourhood quality, individual-level positive mental well-being and other health behaviours may be important components of interventions developed to reduce sedentary time in deprived populations.     

Designing interaction metaphors for Web3D cultural dissemination

In the last few years the improved performances of graphics hardware and the growing availability of broadband internet connections have eventually led to effectively adding a third dimension to web interfaces, achieving what is commonly referred to as Web3D. Nevertheless, these technologies are not yet widespread, especially in the cultural sector, for at least two factors: technological limitations, mostly in the lack of coherent and effective metaphors to visualize and interact with digital cultural assets using the third-dimension as an added value rather than as a stylish gadget, and communication issues, as, despite the principles stated in the London Charter aimed at ensuring technical and intellectual rigor for the digital visualization of cultural heritage, a proper way to deal with relevant and sustainable 3D information is not yet completely established. For this reason this paper focuses on identifying and analyzing the aspects that may contribute to a more efficient use of Web3D technologies to access cultural content, in order to set up a set of development standards aiming to encourage web-based learning and guaranteeing systems accessible and usable by the widest possible audience.     

The effect of intellectual capital attributes on organizational performance. The case of the Bologna Opera House

In this study, we propose to model how intellectual capital (IC) attributes affect the performance of organizations operating in the performing arts sector, more specifically opera companies. In particular, the aim of this paper is twofold in that it seeks: (1) to analyze the role IC plays in performing arts organizations; and (2) to propose research hypotheses that suggest how IC affects the performance of these organizations. An in-depth qualitative approach was adopted. The research methodology deployed consists of a longitudinal case study of a major Italian opera house. The main findings of this study are two: (1) the identification of six attributes of IC that are deeply grounded in management theories and that make the definition of the IC construct more theoretically robust with respect to other studies that are less evidence-based; (2) the development of a model that shows how IC attributes affect the three different performance dimensions of performing arts organizations.     

Organizational learning and program renewal in teacher education: A socio-cultural theory of learning, innovation and change

Pressures for change in the field of teacher education are escalating significantly as part of systemic education reform initiatives in a broad spectrum of economically developed and developing nations. Considering these pressures, it is surprising that relatively little theoretical or empirical analysis of learning and change processes within teacher education programs has been undertaken. In this paper, we illustrate some ways in which contemporary socio-cultural learning theory may be used as a lens for addressing these issues. Using a theoretical framework developed by Harré [Harré, R. (1984). Personal being: A theory for individual psychology. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press], we show how processes of individual and collective learning led to changes in a teacher education program observed over an eighteen month period of time. Important innovations in program practice were generally found to have their sources in the creative work of individual faculty. However program level changes required negotiation of new ideas and practices within small groups of faculty, and with the larger collective of the program. We conclude that the Harré model, and the socio-cultural learning theories from which it is derived, may offer a useful theoretical framework for interpreting complex social processes underlying organizational renewal, innovation, and change.     

Attracted but Unsatisfied: The Effects of Sensational Content on Television Consumption Choices

This article investigates experimentally the effects of sensational content on viewing choices and satisfaction in television consumption. The authors found that the presence of verbal violence in one program causes subjects to watch more of that program. However, subjects do not experience higher satisfaction with the program. In addition, they report lower satisfaction with the overall viewing experience. These findings are robust to the use of different program types for the experimental manipulation. Overall, the results pose a challenge to the use of audience figures as a measure of enjoyment or satisfaction.     

The Crystal Cube ‐‐ Simulation,Prediction, Technology

Abstract

This article looks at the media market in the USA and the economic background. It sees content as more important than just connecting up, on which the market seems to be concentrating, and it shows some of the advantages and dangers of rapid technological change     

Do farm advisory services improve adoption of rural development policies? An empirical analysis in GI areas

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to evaluate how advisory services stimulate the adoption of rural development policies (RDP) aiming at value creation.

Design/methodology/approach: By linking the use of agricultural extension services (AES) to policies for value creation, we will put forward an empirical analysis in Italy, with the aim of evaluating the capability of AES in bringing about higher access to rural policies for value creation in geographical indications (GI) contexts.

Findings: Results of our analyses evidence, on the one side, higher capability of funds attraction in GI areas. On the other side, path dependency schemes in accessing RDP are evident. Higher rates of access with the support of advisory services emerge, but only in traditional measure to fund farms’ investments. On the contrary, the use of AES does not facilitate access to other measures for value creation.

Practical implications: Our hypothesis is that AES include the support towards farm strategies of development through the adoption of RDP aiming at value creation in GI areas. Our analysis presents practical implications, in terms of a clear need for upgrading and broadening AES’ competencies in the field of projecting farm development and knowledge transfer in the field of funds to be obtained by RDP.

Theoretical implications: From a theoretical point of view, the paper may provide a contribution to theoretical debate by offering new insights into the role of advisory services in stimulating innovations and access to support policies.

Originality/value: This paper tries to fill a gap in the agricultural extension literature. We posit that the role of AES should comprehend a deeper knowledge (and knowledge transfer) concerning the opportunities provided by RDP.