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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 8 August 2019

Wanna Chongchitpaisan, Phongtape Wiwatanadate, Surat Tanprawate, Assawin Narkpongphun and Nipapon Siripon

Nocturnal headaches among adolescents were reported to be increased with the development of modern technology. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the smartphone…

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Abstract

Purpose

Nocturnal headaches among adolescents were reported to be increased with the development of modern technology. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the smartphone electromagnetic radiation related to nocturnal headaches among high school students.

Design/methodology/approach

The time series study of all 12,969 records from 145 high school students Chiang Mai Province was selected from the population in the first phase by setting criteria. The samples completed a headache diary utilizing a smartphone application. The smartphone output power (SOP) was measured and recorded by the smartphone application and transmitted by e-mail to a researcher. The smartphone use, sleep quality, anxiety and depression also were assessed. Data were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equation adjusting for demographic data, smartphone use, and sleep quality and otherwise.

Findings

The resulted showed the prevalence of repeated headaches to be 13.4 percent, nocturnal headache only 5.3 percent and the strongest effect of day time SOP at a 1.80–1.99×10−5 mW range on nocturnal headaches (ORadj5.18; 95% CI: 3.44–7.81). Meanwhile, Lag_6 of daily SOP exposure produced a nocturnal headache effect in a reverse dose-response manner. Furthermore, the nocturnal headache also had the strongest association with age, internet use and device brand (ORadj2.33; 95% CI: 1.08–5.05, ORadj2.14; 95% CI: 1.07–4.2 and ORadj1.68; 95% CI: 1.1–2.4).

Originality/value

The electromagnetic radiation from a smartphone is the environmental variables influences on headache. The results suggested that there should be limited times for smartphone use and older age to start using a smartphone to prevent headache attacks at night.

Details

Journal of Health Research, vol. 33 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2586-940X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 March 2021

Puneet Kaur, Amandeep Dhir, Amal Khalifa Alkhalifa and Anushree Tandon

This study is a systematic literature review (SLR) on prior research examining the impact of the nocturnal use of social media platforms on a user's sleep, its dimensions and its…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study is a systematic literature review (SLR) on prior research examining the impact of the nocturnal use of social media platforms on a user's sleep, its dimensions and its perceptually allied problems. This SLR aims to curate, assimilate and critically examine the empirical research in this domain.

Design/methodology/approach

Forty-five relevant studies identified from the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases were analyzed to develop a comprehensive research profile, identify gaps in the current knowledge and delineate emergent research topics.

Findings

Prior research has narrowly focused on investigating the associations between specific aspects of social media use behavior and sleep dimensions. The findings suggest that previous studies are limited by research design and sampling issues. We highlight the imperative need to expand current research boundaries through a comprehensive framework that elucidates potential issues to be addressed in future research.

Originality/value

The findings have significant implications for clinicians, family members and educators concerning promoting appropriate social media use, especially during sleep latency.

Details

Internet Research, vol. 31 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 March 2010

Xin Qi, Margaret Band, Richard Tester, John Piggott and Steve J. Hurel

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate if slow release starch (SRS) could be used to control/limit hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetics.

370

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate if slow release starch (SRS) could be used to control/limit hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetics.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten type‐1 diabetic volunteers were fitted with continuous glucose monitors for two periods of 3 days when undertaking their normal routine or when consuming 60 g SRS before sleep.

Findings

The average number of nocturnal hypoglycaemic episodes where no SRS was consumed over 3 days was 2.7 ± 2.0 but only 0.7 ± 1.1 after SRS consumption before sleep. The duration of these events was equivalent to 318 ± 282 and 140 ± 337 min, respectively. Average nocturnal blood glucose concentration was 7.9 ± 1.4 mmol l−1 without SRS consumption but increased to 9.7 ± 2.7 mmol l−1 when SRS was consumed. These data were highly significant when subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) test on a subject by subject basis. The SRS may be used as a cost effective therapy to avoid hypoglycaemia in patients with type‐1 diabetes.

Originality/value

This paper reports for the first time the use of a physically modified waxy maize starch (SRS) to prevent/limit the incidence of nocturnal hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetics.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 40 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 January 2020

Wanna Chongchitpaisan, Phongtape Wiwatanadate, Assawin Narkpongphun, Surat Tanprawate and Nipapon Siripon

Adolescents being in a stage of growth need good sleep, but, today, they suffer from sleep deprivation due to such extrinsic factor as a smartphone which they enjoy spending time…

2470

Abstract

Purpose

Adolescents being in a stage of growth need good sleep, but, today, they suffer from sleep deprivation due to such extrinsic factor as a smartphone which they enjoy spending time using the device. However, the effects of smartphone output power (SOP) on the duration of good sleep remains unclear. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the correlation of the SOP and sleep loss in high school students.

Design/methodology/approach

The time-series study was conducted among 145 high school students in Chiang Mai Province who completed a sleep diary which applied by the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. The SOP was corrected by a smartphone application and transmitted by e-mail to a researcher every day. The completed data set contains 12,969 entries. Headache, anxiety and depression were also assessed. Data were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation adjusted for demographic data, smartphone use and other factors.

Findings

Most of the study subjects are female, 17.4 years old on average. The prevalence of sleep loss (<8 h) was 52.9 percent with averagely 7.4 ±1.7 h of sleep duration and poor sleep at 32.1 percent. Anxiety, depression, headache had relationships with sleep loss. The daily dose, evening and nocturnal SOP in the range of ≥ 2.00 × 10‒5 mW had stronger relationships with sleep loss than their effects in the range of ≤ 1.79 × 10‒5 mW (ORadj1.32; 95% CI: 1.26–1.76, ORadj1.34; 95% CI: 1.07–1.17 and ORadj1.41; 95% CI: 1.07–1.17, respectively). Meanwhile, morning Lag_2 and daytime Lag_1 in the range of ≥ 2.00 × 10‒5 mW appeared to have a strong relationship with sleep loss (ORadj1.60; 95% CI: 1.26–1.76, ORadj1.36; 95% CI: 1.07–1.17). The relationship between Lag_4 daily dose and sleep loss took the form of a reverse dose-response.

Originality/value

Sleep loss in adolescents has an increasing trend of prevalence and has been found to be correlated with the highest SOP group (≥ 2.00 × 10‒5 mW range). These results confirmed that increased and longer smartphone use result in reduced sleep time. This causes them to be exposed to smartphone electromagnetic radiation and smartphone screen lighting. This disturbs brain waves and nervous system controlling sleep balance mechanisms. The findings recommended parents setting time and boundaries around technology use at home to reduce contact with electromagnetic radiation and smartphone screen lighting, thereby increasing sleeping time in order to create good sleep quality.

Details

Journal of Health Research, vol. 34 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2586-940X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 July 2021

Amee Rice, Judith Anne Thompson and Kathy Briffa

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the presence of bladder and bowel symptoms in women recently imprisoned in Western Australian prisons, specifically; stress, urge and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the presence of bladder and bowel symptoms in women recently imprisoned in Western Australian prisons, specifically; stress, urge and mixed urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence, nocturia, nocturnal enuresis and constipation and the impact on the quality of life (QOL).

Design/methodology/approach

Over a 12-month period 29 women, recently released from Western Australia’s female prisons, were surveyed using a questionnaire previously validated for the prison population. The Short Form King’s Health Questionnaire and a modified version of the Manchester Health Questionnaire were used to assess the effects of these symptoms on QOL.

Findings

Of those surveyed only one respondent reported having no bladder or bowel symptoms following release from prison. Trends assessed by Chi-square analysis suggest women imprisoned for any period of time are more likely to develop both bladder and bowel symptoms which persist after release back into the community. A history of substance or alcohol abuse is often concurrent with the presence of symptoms. QOL scores are also lower for those reporting either bladder or bowel symptoms affecting total scores and the domains of both activities of daily living and mental health.

Originality/value

Women imprisoned for any length of time developed bladder and bowel symptoms which had a negative impact on their QOL. Larger studies need to be conducted to investigate these trends and whether small changes in conservative measures can influence outcomes.

Details

International Journal of Prisoner Health, vol. 18 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1744-9200

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 October 2018

Rima Abdul Razzak, Mohamed Wael Mohamed, Abdulla Faisal Alshaiji, Abdulrahman Ahmed Qareeballa, Jeff Bagust and Sharon Docherty

Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) has produced heterogeneous and domain-specific effects on cognitive function. This study aims to investigate the effect of RIF on verticality…

Abstract

Purpose

Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) has produced heterogeneous and domain-specific effects on cognitive function. This study aims to investigate the effect of RIF on verticality perception or estimation of subjective visual vertical (SVV) in young adults. The significance of SVV is that it is essential for spatial orientation, upon which many daily activities depend.

Methodology

Verticality perception was assessed with a computerized rod and frame test (CRFT) in two visual conditions: without a surrounding frame and with a distracting tilted frame. The tilted frame condition measures level of visual dependence or reliance of visual cues for posture and orientation. In total, 39 young adult men were recruited at different stages of Ramadan fasting: 21 were tested at the end of the first week (Week 1) and 18 others at the end of the third week (Week 3) of Ramadan. Also, 39 participants were recruited to serve as a non-fasting control group. Factorial ANOVA analyses were conducted to identify the main effects of fasting status, time-of-day and the interaction between them on blood glucose levels, nocturnal sleep duration and vertical alignment errors.

Findings

The main effect of fasting status on glucose level was significant (p = 0.03). There was a significant time-of-day main effect on glucose levels (p = 0.007) and sleep duration (p = 0.004) only in fasting participants. Neither the main effects of fasting status nor time-of-day were significant for rod alignment errors in both visual conditions. The interaction of fasting status and time-of-day was not significant either. This may indicate that any negative effect of Ramadan fasting on activities that are critically dependent on verticality perception and spatial orientation, such as sports and driving, may not be due to verticality misperception.

Originality

The present study was the first to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on spatial orientation. It demonstrated robustness of verticality perception to fasting status and the point of fasting during Ramadan. Verticality perception was also unaffected by time-of-day effects in non-fasting and fasting groups at two different points of Ramadan. This study corroborates others reporting heterogeneous effects of Ramadan fasting on cognitive function.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 49 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2023

Blessing Nonye Onyima

This paper aims to explore the misuse of prescription opioids, associated consumption cultures and the emergence of “informal governing images” among young men in Nigeria.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the misuse of prescription opioids, associated consumption cultures and the emergence of “informal governing images” among young men in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative research approach involving purposive sampling: six in-depth interviews, one focus group discussion and key informant interviews with two health-care professionals using the transgressive theory approach, this paper explores consumption cultures, motivations and the resultant “informal governing images” associated with the misuse of prescription opioids among young local street high-risk users in Nigeria.

Findings

Findings show complex expressions of diverse consumption practices, such as grinding, sniffing and concoction of tramadol (TM)with other opioids. The “puff-puff pass” practice serves as induction for new users of opioids commonly accessed through street drug dealers and pharmacists sold via backdoors. Codeine mixtures with different brands of soft drinks for dilution are used to achieve a “lower high” while a concoction of different opioids, with alcohol, and spirits obtains a “higher high”. Manufacturers’ indelible colouring and bottling discourage the non-medical use of opioids. Desiring to be awake for nocturnal activities, mostly “yahoo-yahoo” (internet fraud), sexual enhancement and dosage competitions, are motivations for the non-medical use of prescription opioids. These consumption cultures create “misuse circuits”, leading to the emergence of “informal governing images” triggered by threats from formal controls.

Practical implications

This paper, therefore, concludes that pharmaceutical industries should also add colourings to TM and codeine just like they did in rophinol to discourage the non-medical use of prescription opioids among young people in Nigeria.

Social implications

This paper concludes that rather than branding and packaging in such a way that concealability is difficult for high-risk users as the best way to discourage the non-medical consumption of prescription opioids in Nigeria, the focus should be on addressing youth poverty and unemployment and improving access to treatment for drug use disorders, instead of calling for more enforcement-based measures.

Originality/value

This is an original research.

Details

Drugs, Habits and Social Policy, vol. 24 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2752-6739

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 December 2021

Elahe Mirabi and Fatemeh Akrami Abarghuie

The earth-sheltered building is an adaptive strategy reducing energy consumption as well as increasing thermal comfort of the residents. Although this idea historically…

Abstract

Purpose

The earth-sheltered building is an adaptive strategy reducing energy consumption as well as increasing thermal comfort of the residents. Although this idea historically implemented in the city of Yazd, Iran, its effects on thermal comfort have not been studied thoroughly. This paper aims to discuss and analyze energy performance, in terms of parameters such as orientation, underground depth, nocturnal ventilation and its subsequent effects on thermal comfort in earth-sheltered buildings in Yazd.

Design/methodology/approach

Using EnergyPlus software, the obtained numeric data are precisely modeled, simulated and analyzed.

Findings

Results show that there is a direct relationship between depth of construction and energy consumption savings. The more construction depth of earth-sheltered buildings, the more percentage of energy consumption savings, that is of a higher rate in comparison to the aboveground ones. However, in south orientation, energy saving significantly reduces from depth of 2 m downwards and the annual indoor temperature fluctuation decreases by 50%. This subsequently yields to experiencing indoor thermal comfort for a significant number of days throughout the year. Considering the effects of orientation factor, the south orientation regardless of the depth provides the most desired outcome regarding energy savings.

Originality/value

Simulating the model generalized to the sunken courtyard can approve that the results of this research can be applied to the other models.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 41 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1941

A READER in America has written a most encouraging letter taking us to task for having last November written an “apology” for the delays experienced in the arrival of copies of…

Abstract

A READER in America has written a most encouraging letter taking us to task for having last November written an “apology” for the delays experienced in the arrival of copies of AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING. His theme was that there was no need for us to do so, since everyone, even on the other side of the Atlantic, understood our difficulties so well that no apology was necessary. This was taking a very kindly view, for which we were most grateful; particularly as contained with it was a renewal of his subscription and a warm appreciation of the value of the contents of the paper. We have replied to him by letter but would like to give him this further, more public, intimation of our gratitude for his thought in writing as he did. We wish everyone had the same degree of understanding and comprehension, for we suffer from others—sometimes much nearer home—who, writing from the remote fastnesses in the country to which they have removed themselves for the duration of the war, complain querulously if their copies of AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING do not arrive with the punctuality and precision which were its peacetime habits. We can only ask them to read their papers, from the cautious pages of which can be gathered by the intelligent reader an occasional hint that the main objective of the Luftwaffe in its nocturnal activities has been London, where our business is situated.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 15 March 2010

Jeremy Turk

Sleep disorders are extremely common in children and young people, and even more so in those with developmental disabilities. This client subgroup may prove refractory to standard…

Abstract

Sleep disorders are extremely common in children and young people, and even more so in those with developmental disabilities. This client subgroup may prove refractory to standard behavioural and other psychosocial interventions that usually help and it is frequent for clinicians to resort to medication approaches given the high levels of personal and family distress that result. There is a need not only for further well structured research in this field but also for efforts to tackle the frequent relative neglect by clinicians of more researched and considered approaches. This review examines these issues selectively, focusing on important clinical issues and predicaments, and attempts a start at an evidence‐based background for practical and rational prescribing in this area of common childhood psychopathology.

Details

Advances in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, vol. 4 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-0180

Keywords

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