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Plant Fibres in European Prehistory : Production, Processing and Technological Evolution /
No full textThe management of dietary fiber intake in children with chronic kidney disease : clinical practice recommendations from the Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce
No full textThe benefits of dietary fiber are widely accepted. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of children fail to meet the recommended intake of dietary fiber. Achieving adequate fiber intake is especially challenging in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). An international team of pediatric renal dietitians and pediatric nephrologists from the Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce (PRNT) has developed clinical practice recommendations (CPRs) for the dietary intake of fiber in children and adolescents with CKD. In this CPR paper, we propose a definition of fiber, provide advice on the requirements and assessment of fiber intake, and offer practical guidance on optimizing dietary fiber intake in children with CKD. In addition, given the paucity of available evidence and to achieve consensus from international experts, a Delphi survey was performed in which all the clinical practice recommendations were reviewed.The benefits of dietary fiber are widely accepted. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of children fail to meet the recommended intake of dietary fiber. Achieving adequate fiber intake is especially challenging in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). An international team of pediatric renal dietitians and pediatric nephrologists from the Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce (PRNT) has developed clinical practice recommendations (CPRs) for the dietary intake of fiber in children and adolescents with CKD. In this CPR paper, we propose a definition of fiber, provide advice on the requirements and assessment of fiber intake, and offer practical guidance on optimizing dietary fiber intake in children with CKD. In addition, given the paucity of available evidence and to achieve consensus from international experts, a Delphi survey was performed in which all the clinical practice recommendations were reviewed.A
Morphological evidence of a potential arrhythmogenic substrate in the caudal and cranial vena cava in horses
No full textBackgroundThree-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping, previously performed in horses with atrial arrhythmias, has demonstrated the medial region of the caudal vena cava (CaVC), 1–8 cm caudal to the fossa ovalis, as an anatomical predilection site for atrial tachycardia associated with areas of slow conduction and conduction block. Slow conduction has also been recorded in the cranial vena cava (CrVC).ObjectivesTo investigate the morphological characteristics of the myocardial sleeves (MS) in the CaVC and CrVC, in order to identify a potential substrate of right sided atrial arrhythmias.Study designCross sectional.MethodsPost-mortem dissection of 37 hearts from adult warmblood horses without known cardiovascular disease. Macroscopic examination of the myocardial distribution, evaluated the MS area, length, width, and shape in the CaVC and the CrVC. At least 2 samples from each vena cava MS were histologically examined using Masson's trichrome staining.ResultsMyocardial sleeves into the medial CaVC and into the CrVC were observed in all horses and showed variations in distribution, shape, and size between horses. Their mean ± standard deviation length from the limbus into the CaVC reached 5.7 ± 1.0 cm (maximum 8.3 cm), and from the azygos vein into the CrVC 5.3 ± 1.6 cm (maximum 8.6 cm). Myocardium-free islands were observed in the CaVC and CrVC in 30% and 6% of horses, respectively. Histologically, MS showed a non-uniform myocardial fibre arrangement, with presence of fibroadipose tissue, features known to result in slow conduction and pro-arrhythmia.Main limitationsStudy only included horses without history of atrial arrhythmia.ConclusionsMyocardial sleeves are present in both CaVC and CrVC, showing anatomical variations between horses. Tissue characteristics known to favour re-entry were identified indicating that these venae cavae MS are a potential substrate for atrial tachyarrhythmias and a target for treatment by ablation.BackgroundThree-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping, previously performed in horses with atrial arrhythmias, has demonstrated the medial region of the caudal vena cava (CaVC), 1–8 cm caudal to the fossa ovalis, as an anatomical predilection site for atrial tachycardia associated with areas of slow conduction and conduction block. Slow conduction has also been recorded in the cranial vena cava (CrVC).ObjectivesTo investigate the morphological characteristics of the myocardial sleeves (MS) in the CaVC and CrVC, in order to identify a potential substrate of right sided atrial arrhythmias.Study designCross sectional.MethodsPost-mortem dissection of 37 hearts from adult warmblood horses without known cardiovascular disease. Macroscopic examination of the myocardial distribution, evaluated the MS area, length, width, and shape in the CaVC and the CrVC. At least 2 samples from each vena cava MS were histologically examined using Masson's trichrome staining.ResultsMyocardial sleeves into the medial CaVC and into the CrVC were observed in all horses and showed variations in distribution, shape, and size between horses. Their mean ± standard deviation length from the limbus into the CaVC reached 5.7 ± 1.0 cm (maximum 8.3 cm), and from the azygos vein into the CrVC 5.3 ± 1.6 cm (maximum 8.6 cm). Myocardium-free islands were observed in the CaVC and CrVC in 30% and 6% of horses, respectively. Histologically, MS showed a non-uniform myocardial fibre arrangement, with presence of fibroadipose tissue, features known to result in slow conduction and pro-arrhythmia.Main limitationsStudy only included horses without history of atrial arrhythmia.ConclusionsMyocardial sleeves are present in both CaVC and CrVC, showing anatomical variations between horses. Tissue characteristics known to favour re-entry were identified indicating that these venae cavae MS are a potential substrate for atrial tachyarrhythmias and a target for treatment by ablation.A
‘Living between here and there’ : trans-local coping with urban marginality among internally displaced persons in urban Ethiopia
No full textInternally displaced persons (IDPs) in urban areas experience spatial, social and symbolic marginality because of interactions between the processes of displacement and the socio-spatial contexts in which they are relocated. While an increasing body of research has highlighted the agentic possibilities of urban margins, little is known about IDPs’ coping practices beyond the urban contexts that produce their marginality. Drawing on a qualitative study in two urban settlements in Ethiopia, this paper disentangles how trans-local practices of mobilities, connections and attachment, and the circulation of resources support IDPs in coping with disadvantages in urban settings. The findings show first, that constellations of mobilities across different nodal places constitute strategies to diversify the sources of livelihood thereby coping with the effects of spatial disadvantages. Second that,that trans-local connection and attachment preserves a sense of belonging to trans-local ‘homes’ and acts as a symbolic resource against the processes of exclusion and othering. Third, that the trans-local social network facilitates the exchange of material and intangible resources, and expands IDPs’ employment opportunities and social relations. This study contributes to our understanding of forced migrants’ agency to transform placesand produce fluid lived spaces to reduce the impact of marginalization in relocation contexts.Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in urban areas experience spatial, social and symbolic marginality because of interactions between the processes of displacement and the socio-spatial contexts in which they are relocated. While an increasing body of research has highlighted the agentic possibilities of urban margins, little is known about IDPs’ coping practices beyond the urban contexts that produce their marginality. Drawing on a qualitative study in two urban settlements in Ethiopia, this paper disentangles how trans-local practices of mobilities, connections and attachment, and the circulation of resources support IDPs in coping with disadvantages in urban settings. The findings show first, that constellations of mobilities across different nodal places constitute strategies to diversify the sources of livelihood thereby coping with the effects of spatial disadvantages. Second that,that trans-local connection and attachment preserves a sense of belonging to trans-local ‘homes’ and acts as a symbolic resource against the processes of exclusion and othering. Third, that the trans-local social network facilitates the exchange of material and intangible resources, and expands IDPs’ employment opportunities and social relations. This study contributes to our understanding of forced migrants’ agency to transform placesand produce fluid lived spaces to reduce the impact of marginalization in relocation contexts.A
Veteran journalists and ‘Vieilles Filles’ : how gender, age and journalism congregate in The French Dispatch
No full textThis study set out to understand how representational practices of journalism and age congregate in the fiction movie The French Dispatch (Wes Anderson 2021). Employing textual analysis, we found that the film engages with three overlapping tropes in which journalism and age congregate. First, it represents journalists as different from “normal civilians” especially in their state of loneliness which is a constant throughout the narrative. This difference narrative is especially invigorated for journalists that demographically deviate from the norm in which older women are labeled as “old maids.” Second, the film represents an intergenerational conflict, specifically in relation to explorations of journalistic neutrality. Last, the commercial nature of journalism is addressed through the representation of an older mentoring editor-in-chief who protects journalistic quality against commercial pressures. By combining the lens of journalism and ageism, we uncovered how both concepts congregate and create a unique romanticized perspective on the profession as “it used to be.”This study set out to understand how representational practices of journalism and age congregate in the fiction movie The French Dispatch (Wes Anderson 2021). Employing textual analysis, we found that the film engages with three overlapping tropes in which journalism and age congregate. First, it represents journalists as different from “normal civilians” especially in their state of loneliness which is a constant throughout the narrative. This difference narrative is especially invigorated for journalists that demographically deviate from the norm in which older women are labeled as “old maids.” Second, the film represents an intergenerational conflict, specifically in relation to explorations of journalistic neutrality. Last, the commercial nature of journalism is addressed through the representation of an older mentoring editor-in-chief who protects journalistic quality against commercial pressures. By combining the lens of journalism and ageism, we uncovered how both concepts congregate and create a unique romanticized perspective on the profession as “it used to be.”A
Finite element analysis of bolted joints under torsional loads
No full textThe presence of service torque, which is generated after tightening, directly affects the mechanical properties of bolted joint. In this work, the mechanical behavior of bolted joints under torsional loads is investigated using finite element analysis (FEA). Models with two plates and multiple plates are established separately to investigate the mechanical properties of different kinds of bolted joints. Three analysis steps involving the entire process from tightening to torsional loading are adopted, namely tightening step, initial loss step and loading step. Torsional loads in two directions along the thread axis are considered and defined as loosening torsional load and tightening torsional load. The clamping force, as well as the friction torques of various contact surfaces, of the bolted joint are extracted in all the analysis steps. Different scenarios of friction torque combinations for bolted joints are obtained by means of adjusting the friction coefficient of the corresponding contact surfaces. On this basis, the mechanical properties of bolted joints and the corresponding torque thresholds are extracted on various scenarios. FEA results showed that how the service torque makes the directional characteristic of the mechanical properties of bolted joints under torsional loads. Moreover, the service reliability of bolted joint can be further improved based on the directional characteristics and the extracted torque thresholds.The presence of service torque, which is generated after tightening, directly affects the mechanical properties of bolted joint. In this work, the mechanical behavior of bolted joints under torsional loads is investigated using finite element analysis (FEA). Models with two plates and multiple plates are established separately to investigate the mechanical properties of different kinds of bolted joints. Three analysis steps involving the entire process from tightening to torsional loading are adopted, namely tightening step, initial loss step and loading step. Torsional loads in two directions along the thread axis are considered and defined as loosening torsional load and tightening torsional load. The clamping force, as well as the friction torques of various contact surfaces, of the bolted joint are extracted in all the analysis steps. Different scenarios of friction torque combinations for bolted joints are obtained by means of adjusting the friction coefficient of the corresponding contact surfaces. On this basis, the mechanical properties of bolted joints and the corresponding torque thresholds are extracted on various scenarios. FEA results showed that how the service torque makes the directional characteristic of the mechanical properties of bolted joints under torsional loads. Moreover, the service reliability of bolted joint can be further improved based on the directional characteristics and the extracted torque thresholds.A
Transit-oriented development and neighborhood change : the case of Gent Sint-Pieters Station
No full textThe Gent Sint-Pieters (GSP) project, an infrastructure and urban renewal project in Ghent, Belgium, can be considered a typical example of transit-oriented development (TOD). TOD can have significant effects on surrounding neighborhoods and their characteristics. In this study, a difference-in-difference model was used to measure changes in income level, educational attainment and house prices resulting from the GSP project. Although research demonstrates that TOD can lead to changes in the composition of neighborhoods and property values, our results show no significant causal effects, indicating that the local context determines whether, to what extent and in what way neighborhood changes occur.The Gent Sint-Pieters (GSP) project, an infrastructure and urban renewal project in Ghent, Belgium, can be considered a typical example of transit-oriented development (TOD). TOD can have significant effects on surrounding neighborhoods and their characteristics. In this study, a difference-in-difference model was used to measure changes in income level, educational attainment and house prices resulting from the GSP project. Although research demonstrates that TOD can lead to changes in the composition of neighborhoods and property values, our results show no significant causal effects, indicating that the local context determines whether, to what extent and in what way neighborhood changes occur.A
Establishing consensus on biopsychosocial factors associated with pediatric chronic pain : a modified Delphi study
No full textA variety of factors are associated with the development and maintenance of chronic pain in children. Identifying modifiable factors associated with pediatric chronic pain is important to use them as target outcomes in the development and evaluation of interventions for the prevention and management of chronic pain. This study aimed to reach expert consensus on factors associated with pediatric chronic pain and their modifiability and population-level effect. Pediatric pain experts were questioned using a web-based two-round modified Delphi method. Two rounds of questions with Likert scaling were used to identify influencing factors (Round 1) and to reach consensus on each factor (Round 2) in terms of: 1) strength of association with chronic pain in children; 2) modifiability; and 3) population-level effect. An inductive approach was used to derive categories (ranging from ‘very low’ to ‘very high’) and subcategories (ranging from ‘low’ to ‘high’). In total, 48 experts from 14 different countries completed Round 1, and 31 completed Round 2. A list of 47 factors was considered to be associated with pediatric chronic pain. Four factors (physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), pain-related school absence, and pain concept/knowledge of the child) were considered highly modifiable and three factors having a high population-level effect (PA, SB, and the child’s depressive or negative emotional feelings). Expert consensus was established about modifiable and population-level factors associated with pediatric chronic pain through this web-based modified Delphi study, guiding target outcomes for its prevention and management.A variety of factors are associated with the development and maintenance of chronic pain in children. Identifying modifiable factors associated with pediatric chronic pain is important to use them as target outcomes in the development and evaluation of interventions for the prevention and management of chronic pain. This study aimed to reach expert consensus on factors associated with pediatric chronic pain and their modifiability and population-level effect. Pediatric pain experts were questioned using a web-based two-round modified Delphi method. Two rounds of questions with Likert scaling were used to identify influencing factors (Round 1) and to reach consensus on each factor (Round 2) in terms of: 1) strength of association with chronic pain in children; 2) modifiability; and 3) population-level effect. An inductive approach was used to derive categories (ranging from ‘very low’ to ‘very high’) and subcategories (ranging from ‘low’ to ‘high’). In total, 48 experts from 14 different countries completed Round 1, and 31 completed Round 2. A list of 47 factors was considered to be associated with pediatric chronic pain. Four factors (physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), pain-related school absence, and pain concept/knowledge of the child) were considered highly modifiable and three factors having a high population-level effect (PA, SB, and the child’s depressive or negative emotional feelings). Expert consensus was established about modifiable and population-level factors associated with pediatric chronic pain through this web-based modified Delphi study, guiding target outcomes for its prevention and management.A
People’s preferred balance between politicians, citizens, and experts in policy-making decisions
No full textMost prior studies examining citizens' preferences for "who should govern" assume that people prefer either politicians, citizens, or experts to exclusively influence policy decisions. Our approach posits that individuals may actually prefer a mix of these actors. Across two studies, we discovered that people indeed favour the involvement of all three actors in policy decisions, but with specific relative importance assigned to each of them. Notably, our second study clarified that which actor should have the largest say depends on the specific issue at hand, with citizens outweighing experts and politicians for ideological issues and experts outweighing citizens and politicians for technical issues. These findings are particularly relevant, given that these two actors were found to outperform each other in a different legitimacy dimension. That is, citizens' contribution is seen most in terms of input legitimacy, whereas experts are perceived as contributing most to output legitimacy, particularly for technical issues. In contrast, politicians are considered to contribute the least to all three legitimacy dimensions. To enhance the perceived legitimacy of policy decisions among the citizenry, it becomes crucial for policymakers to embrace a more "hybrid" perspective, acknowledging the value of a more diverse collaboration between politicians, citizens, and experts.Most prior studies examining citizens' preferences for "who should govern" assume that people prefer either politicians, citizens, or experts to exclusively influence policy decisions. Our approach posits that individuals may actually prefer a mix of these actors. Across two studies, we discovered that people indeed favour the involvement of all three actors in policy decisions, but with specific relative importance assigned to each of them. Notably, our second study clarified that which actor should have the largest say depends on the specific issue at hand, with citizens outweighing experts and politicians for ideological issues and experts outweighing citizens and politicians for technical issues. These findings are particularly relevant, given that these two actors were found to outperform each other in a different legitimacy dimension. That is, citizens' contribution is seen most in terms of input legitimacy, whereas experts are perceived as contributing most to output legitimacy, particularly for technical issues. In contrast, politicians are considered to contribute the least to all three legitimacy dimensions. To enhance the perceived legitimacy of policy decisions among the citizenry, it becomes crucial for policymakers to embrace a more "hybrid" perspective, acknowledging the value of a more diverse collaboration between politicians, citizens, and experts.A
Fuelling the blacksmiths furnace : a multidisciplinary study into the use of ‘smithy’ coal in the iron‐working industry of a late medieval harbour system, Bruges (Belgium)
No full textLarge amounts of iron slag were discovered during archaeological excavations in the late medieval harbour of Hoeke (Municipality of Damme, Belgium), one of the main outer harbours of Bruges. This waste product indicates the presence of 13th‐ to 14th‐century pre‐industrial metalworking activities, such as blacksmithing, which involved the production of iron objects and the repair of ships, as historically documented on this site. Besides the waste products from iron working, fragments of coal were also discovered within the same deposits, both as separate pieces and included in the slags, suggesting that coal was used as a fuel during these activities. This discovery resulted in a multidisciplinary study applying geochemical, palaeontological, and historical analyses that allowed to identify the provenance of the coal (Northumberland‐Durham Coalfield) as well as to provide new insights into maritime coal trade during this period. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of pre‐industrial craft practices in the Bruges harbour system and expands the knowledge of the fuel sources used in the late medieval harbour's iron‐working activities.Large amounts of iron slag were discovered during archaeological excavations in the late medieval harbour of Hoeke (Municipality of Damme, Belgium), one of the main outer harbours of Bruges. This waste product indicates the presence of 13th‐ to 14th‐century pre‐industrial metalworking activities, such as blacksmithing, which involved the production of iron objects and the repair of ships, as historically documented on this site. Besides the waste products from iron working, fragments of coal were also discovered within the same deposits, both as separate pieces and included in the slags, suggesting that coal was used as a fuel during these activities. This discovery resulted in a multidisciplinary study applying geochemical, palaeontological, and historical analyses that allowed to identify the provenance of the coal (Northumberland‐Durham Coalfield) as well as to provide new insights into maritime coal trade during this period. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of pre‐industrial craft practices in the Bruges harbour system and expands the knowledge of the fuel sources used in the late medieval harbour's iron‐working activities.A