The studies in this thesis aim to increase understanding of the effects of various characteristics of scientific news about a common chronic disease, i.e., diabetes, on the cognitive responses (e.g., emotions, attitudes, intentions) of diabetes patients. The research questions presented in this thesis are guided by the Health Belief Model, a theoretical framework developed to explain and predict healthrelated behaviours based on an individual’s beliefs and attitudes. The model asserts that perceived barriers to a recommended health behavior, advantages of the behavior, self-efficacy in executing the behavior, and disease severity and personal susceptibility to the disease are important predictors of a health behavior. Communication is one of the cues to action (i.e., stimuli) that may trigger the decision-making process relating to accepting a medical or lifestyle recommendation.
The invention relates to the use of modified starch obtainable by treating amylose containing starch in aqueous medium with an enzyme from the group of the α-1,4-α-1,4-glucosyl transferases (EC 2.4.1.25) or an enzyme the activity of which corresponds to that of enzymes from the group just mentioned, as an agent for forming a thermoreversible gel. The invention also relates to products in the form of a thermoreversible gel having as gel-forming substance a modified starch as defined. The invention further relates to the use of a modified starch as defined in the form of an aqueous solution.
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Fields neighboring the disciplines of kinesiology and sports science have called for more interdisciplinary work, including the adoption of critical approaches to research. This scoping review explored the degree to which critically-aligned research has developed within these disciplines. The goal was to identify who this research studied, what methods were used, and which theoretical and conceptual frameworks were adopted. Publications between 2010-2022 in six top kinesiology and sports science journals using four databases were searched using keywords to identify critically-aligned research. A multi-step screening process was used to identify and sort articles that adequately fit the criteria of critically-aligned research. The scoping review identified 5666 entries of which 3300 were unique publications. 76 articles were assessed to be critically-aligned. Four themes regarding demographics emerged: Geographic area, gender, race/ethnicity/indigeneity, and inequality/inequity. Regarding methodology, three major theoretical and conceptual frameworks emerged: ecological, socio-economic, and cultural. Overall, a relatively small number of studies fit our search criteria, suggesting that critically-aligned research remains at the margins of the disciplines. For the studies that were critically-aligned, they often centered the Global North and were inconsistent in their application of categories such as race, ethnicity, inequality and equity. These studies were diverse in their methodological approach while relying on ecological, socio-economic, and cultural frameworks. To heed the calls for a more interdisciplinary approach, and to advance the disciplines more generally, kinesiology and sports science should expand their adoption of critical approaches to research.
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The research for alternatives to substitute cement in concrete increased in the last years to reduce the environmental impact. Geopolymers or alkali-activated materials are one of the options. The proposed project aims to obtain a wet cell based on a geopolymer with alginate and natural fibres. The wet cell will be a final prototype composed of panels for wet construction areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. There is a lack of biobased solutions for wet areas currently in the market. And the present project, together with companies of suppliers and users from the market, aims to provide a solution for a wet cell using biobased materials. The natural fibres added to the geopolymer will substitute a portion of sand and gravel, producing a lighter product than concrete. Also, the fibres increase the thermal and acoustic insulation. Natural fibres should be pretreated to increase the bond with other materials in the mixture. The chemical used in the alkali-activated materials is the same to pretreat the fibres. Also, alginates extracted from seaweeds can be used as binders, and alkali is used in the extraction process. One of the objectives is to develop the method and technique to produce geopolymer with alginates and pretreat the fibre simultaneously during the mixture. After defining the optimum mixture for the geopolymer, panels will be produced, and in the end, a wet cell will be constructed with the geopolymer panels.