Behavioral change in waste separation at source in an international community: An application of the theory of planned behavior.

Analysing and understanding the factors that influence the behavior of waste separation is critical to improved waste management. This study identified the factors behind behavioral change in waste separation at source in an international community. The theory of planned Behavior (TPB) was adopted to conduct a self-report questionnaire survey twice, in which 354 residents participated at Time1 and 331 at Time 2, with a retention rate of 93.5%. The questionnaires were designed based on TPB with additional questions regarding waste separation rules in the community, experience of waste separation, and environmental knowledge. With the questionnaire data and follow-up qualitative interviews, factors related to waste separation through factor analysis and structural equation modelling and text mining were specified. The panel data collected over three months demonstrated the changes in attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control that affect behavioral intention in the process of behavior adaption. Combined with interview data, the reasons for these changes can be further attributed to individuals' environmental knowledge and community guidelines. The findings imply that policies targeting environmental education and rulemaking are effective to help residents form more positive intentions towards waste separation.

Haptoglobin phenotype influences the effectiveness of diet-induced weight loss in middle-age abdominally obese women with metabolic abnormalities.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Haptoglobin (Hp) is associated with risks of obesity and cardiometabolic dysfunction; however, the role of the Hp phenotype in diet-induced weight loss remains to be elucidated. This study investigated whether the Hp phenotype contributes to inter-individual variations in body weight reduction as well as changes in the metabolic profile. METHODS: Secondary data analysis from a randomized controlled trial. In total, 151 abdominally obese Taiwanese women with ≥2 metabolic components were randomized to each of four dietary programs [calorie restriction (CR), calorie restriction plus fish oil supplementation (CRF), calorie restricted meal replacement (CRMR), and calorie restricted meal replacement with fish oil supplementation (CRMRF)] for 12 weeks. Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference (WC) ≥ 80 cm in women. Hp phenotyping was performed by plasma gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: The prevalence of the Hp 1-1, 2-1, and 2-2 phenotypes were 12.58%, 41.06% and 46.35%, respectively. The mean age was 50.59 ± 12.22 years, and mean reduction in the percent body weight was 4.7% ± 3.8%. The Hp 1-1 phenotype exhibited significant decreases in the WC, body fat mass, plasma insulin levels, free hemoglobin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) compared to the Hp 2-1 or Hp 2-2 phenotypes after adjusting for the baseline age, WC, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and dietary programs (all adjusted p < 0.05). A greater improvement in the prevalence of central obesity and, to a lesser extent, MetS was also found in women with the Hp 1-1 phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Obese women with the Hp 1-1 phenotype might obtain greater benefits in terms of reducing abdominal fat and improving insulin sensitivity in response to hypocaloric diet-induced weight reduction. The findings from this study support potential gene-diet interactions affecting weight loss. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT01768169. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT01768169.

A case report of keratoconus with regular astigmatic topography.

PURPOSE: To describe an interesting case in which use of standard corneal topography in isolation from clinical observations could have misdiagnosed keratoconus as regular astigmatism. METHODS: Single patient case report. RESULTS: Our patient received the correct diagnosis and appropriate contact lens treatment that resulted in optimal vision and tolerance. CONCLUSIONS. Use of either or both careful clinical slit lamp biomicroscopy and history or more sophisticated corneal topography analysis can detect keratoconus that standard corneal topography used in isolation from other clinical investigations may misdiagnose.

Shooting a film photo slit lamp into the digital age.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe a method of taking a slit lamp initially designed for film photography and updating it to provide digital photographs. METHODS: A "how-to" guide is provided. RESULTS: Updating a Nikon FS-2 slit lamp is more economic than many practitioners may realize. By using what is already available on the market, a few steps can make a would-be dated instrument useful for many years to come. CONCLUSIONS: The upgrade to the Nikon FS-2 slit lamp is not only possible, but is able to functional well in the clinical setting and capture high-resolution photographs.

Gas-permeable contact lenses can protect against ocular trauma: two cases.

PURPOSE: To report two cases of rigid gas-permeable contact lens wearers who were protected from serious foreign body-related injury through the wearing of their contact lenses. METHODS: Two case reports. RESULTS: Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses appear to have protected the eyes of two patients from probable serious injury. CONCLUSIONS: Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses can have a protective effect against some types of trauma, although they are not recommended to be used for protective purposes.