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Suckling and allosuckling behavior of dairy calves in indoor dam-rearing systems
No full textAn important element in dairy cow-calf contact (CCC) systems is to ensure sufficient milk intake by calves. However, little is known about possible changes in suckling behavior during suckling periods for calves up to 15 weeks old, and the prevalence of allosuckling is poorly understood in the context of these systems. This research had two aims: first, to explore possible changes in suckling behavior as calves aged when housed in an indoor CCC system, and second, to identify calf-level factors associated with allosuckling. Both aims were independently investigated in two separate studies (cow- and calf-driven contact, respectively) and involved both Swedish Red and Swedish Holstein dams and calves. In the cow-driven study, dam-calf pairs (n = 19 male and female calves) had shared access to a separate contact area containing stalls, which dams could leave at any time. In the calf-driven study, calves (n = 24 female calves) could access their dams (n = 23) in all parts of the pen, except the milking area. Behavior sampling from video was used to record suckling behaviors during a 24-h period at average calf ages of 3, 6, 9, 12 (both studies) and 15 (cow-driven only) weeks. In the cow-driven study, calves behaved consistently across all weeks in terms of suckling bout length and frequency. Calves in the calf-driven study took significantly fewer, but longer, suckling bouts as they aged. The overall frequency of allosuckling observed in the cow-driven study (36%) was higher than that in the calf-driven study (14%). However, the odds of allosuckling increased significantly with increasing calf age in both studies. Calves in the cow-driven study were observed to allosuckle even in the presence of their own dam, and increasingly so as they aged. For both studies, instances of allosuckling were over 140 times more likely when other calves were already engaged in suckling on a cow. We conclude that allosuckling is likely to occur in indoor dam-rearing systems when the animals are housed in automatic milking systems, although the frequency will depend on the age of the calves and the presence of other suckling calves
Intentionalism, anti‐Intentionalism and conversational interaction
No full textProponents as well as opponents of modeling aesthetic interpretation on conversation tend to assume that this implies that the author's intention constitutes the meaning of her work and that the aim of interpretation consists in recovering it. These assumptions, however, seem to be supported only by a rather constricted conception of conversational interpretation. In this article, I present a model of conversational interpretive interaction that accommodates anti-intentionalism as well as intentionalism qua aims of interpretation, while doing without the notion of work meaning. I also set out to account for the distinctive varieties of intentionalism and anti-intentionalism that are implied by the model. The ensuing restrictions of evidence are such that intentionalism and anti-intentionalism should be practiced as, what I label, ultra extreme actual intentionalism and reasonable author hypothetical intentionalism, respectively. The article aims to contribute to the exploration of the potential of conversation for unifying and regimenting aesthetic interpretation
Educated peers’ experiences and perceptions of the group-based FallFitness exercise programme for older adults
No full textIntroduction Despite evidence supporting the effectiveness of exercise-based fall prevention interventions, implementing these programmes in practice remains challenging. Peer-led exercise programmes have demonstrated effectiveness in delivering fall prevention education to older adults. Therefore, this study aimed to explore older adults’ experiences of being trained and serving as peer leaders in a group-based fall prevention exercise programme, focusing on the skills and qualities required for leadership. Additionally, the study sought to identify facilitators and barriers influencing training and the programme’s long-term implementation. Materials and methods Participants were recruited from a randomised controlled trial. Two focus group interviews were conducted with 13 participants from the exercise arm of the randomised controlled trial (nine females and four males). Data were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. Results Five main categories and nine subcategories emerged, capturing key aspects of the study aim. The categories were: (a) education to prepare fall fitness peer-led trainers; (b) peer-led trainer characteristics and roles during training sessions; (c) physical training environment; (d) psychosocial environment; and (e) prerequisites for the long-term sustainability of the FallFitness programme. Conclusions The ‘train-the-trainer’ approach for peer-led fall prevention interventions was found to be effective, highlighting the value of integrating theoretical and practical components in training. Participant feedback will inform future improvements to the FallFitness programme, ensuring its continued implementation and effectiveness
Evaluating the automated measurement of abnormal rising and lying down behaviours in dairy cows using 3D pose estimation
No full textThe structure of cubicles can hinder cows’ movements when transitioning between postures, leading to atypical motion patterns. Assessing posture transitions relies on visual observations. This study presents a framework for complementing these assessments with kinematic measurements using 3D pose estimation. A total 809 rising and 791 lying down posture transitions were recorded over 12 cubicles by 7 synchronized cameras and processed with 3D pose estimation locating the position of the poll, withers, T13 and sacrum. First, the displacement of the keypoints was used to detect phases of the posture transitions. This detection was compared with visual observations of 200 recordings. The average mean absolute difference in detected timestamps between human and machine across all phases was 0.5 s (average σ = 0.7) and was under 0.9 s for all phases. Second, indicators were scored based on spatial use and duration, and their distribution compared to existing thresholds. We observed that 59.9 % of rising bouts and 29.1 % of lying down bouts exceeded at least one threshold. Rising delay occurred in 2.8 % of rising bouts and backwards crawling in 59.2 %. Lying down duration exceeded the threshold in 28.9 % of bouts, and rear limbs shifting duration in 8.3 %. Side lunge had a binary threshold which was not adapted to continuous sensor data. Finally, we investigated the association between indicators and found distinct dimensions for head lunge and crawling. We conclude that 3D pose is useful to score posture transition indicators, and that several indicators should be used together to capture distinct dimensions. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Recentring others : tracing the its of physical education and health
No full textPurpose – The aim of this paper is to explore how engaging in a diffractive methodology can enact a recentring of othered bodies and properties in Swedish physical education and health research. Design/methodology/approach – The posthumanist framework of agential realism places relationality at the centre of inquiry and suggests a diffractive methodology as a suitable means for researching this relationality. In a diffractive analysis, different insights, such as texts, concepts or fragments from empirical material, are read through one another, and attention is paid to what and where intensities emerge and what bodies and properties become included or excluded. In this paper, an analysis of empirical material from physical education and health research is read through literature on diffractive methodology. Findings – The results of the diffractive analysis show how phenomena such as language, colour and resistance have unexpected ways of co-constituting the analysis process. In the discussion, a diffractive methodology is suggested as a way for educational research practices to respond ethically to the material-discursive entanglements of research as a world-making practice. Originality/value – This paper emphasises the importance of recentring others in educational research. It also contributes to a growing field of interest in focusing on entanglements in physical education and health research
« Non, t’es pas tout seul ». Variations sur le thème de la bromance dans trois chansons francophones
No full textOver the past fifteen years, bromance has been an extensively used concept in the field of Men’s Studies, particularly in research focusing on cinema and television series. However, it has never been applied to French song lyrics, despite male bonding being a common theme in this genre of text. The article focuses on three francophone songs from different decades: Jacques Brel’s “Jef” (1964), Renaud’s “Manu” (1981), and “Mon chum Rémi” (2002) by the Quebec folk-rock group Les Cowboys fringants. The results indicate that the lyrics display many typical characteristics of the bromantic relationship. There is, at the very core of the narratives, a close emotional intimacy between the narrator and the main protagonist. The social environments depicted are male dominated, and it can be argued that these narratives reinforce heteronormativity. As for the negative aspect of bromances identified by some researchers, namely the risk that they contribute to normalizing misogyny and spreading patriarchal attitudes, this is indeed a problem concerning Brel’s chanson. However, Renaud’s and Les Cowboys fringants’ lyrics have proven to be more complex and nuanced regarding their representations of masculinity.Depuis une quinzaine d’années, le terme de la bromance est souvent utilisé dans la recherche portant sur la masculinité, notamment dans les études du cinéma et des séries télévisées. Cependant, il n’a jamais été appliqué aux paroles de chansons francophones, bien que la camaraderie masculine soit un thème récurrent dans ce genre de textes. Le présent article analyse trois chansons francophones de différentes décennies : « Jef » de Jacques Brel (1964), « Manu » de Renaud (1981) et « Mon chum Rémi » (2002) du groupe québécois de folk-rock Les Cowboys fringants. Les résultats indiquent que les paroles présentent de nombreux traits significatifs de la bromance. Il y a, au coeur même des récits, une intimité émotionnelle étroite entre le narrateur et le personnage principal. Les milieux décrits sont dominés par les hommes, et l’on peut soutenir que ces narrations renforcent l’hétéronormativité. Quant à l’aspect négatif des bromances identifié par certains chercheurs, à savoir le risque qu’elles contribuent à normaliser la misogynie et à propager des attitudes patriarcales, c’est en effet un problème réel concernant la chanson de Brel. Cependant, les paroles de Renaud et des Cowboys fringants se sont avérées plus complexes et nuancées en ce qui concerne leurs représentations de la masculinité
Global burden of 292 causes of death in 204 countries and territories and 660 subnational locations, 1990-2023 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023
No full textBACKGROUND: Timely and comprehensive analyses of causes of death stratified by age, sex, and location are essential for shaping effective health policies aimed at reducing global mortality. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023 provides cause-specific mortality estimates measured in counts, rates, and years of life lost (YLLs). GBD 2023 aimed to enhance our understanding of the relationship between age and cause of death by quantifying the probability of dying before age 70 years (70q0) and the mean age at death by cause and sex. This study enables comparisons of the impact of causes of death over time, offering a deeper understanding of how these causes affect global populations. METHODS: GBD 2023 produced estimates for 292 causes of death disaggregated by age-sex-location-year in 204 countries and territories and 660 subnational locations for each year from 1990 until 2023. We used a modelling tool developed for GBD, the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm), to estimate cause-specific death rates for most causes. We computed YLLs as the product of the number of deaths for each cause-age-sex-location-year and the standard life expectancy at each age. Probability of death was calculated as the chance of dying from a given cause in a specific age period, for a specific population. Mean age at death was calculated by first assigning the midpoint age of each age group for every death, followed by computing the mean of all midpoint ages across all deaths attributed to a given cause. We used GBD death estimates to calculate the observed mean age at death and to model the expected mean age across causes, sexes, years, and locations. The expected mean age reflects the expected mean age at death for individuals within a population, based on global mortality rates and the population's age structure. Comparatively, the observed mean age represents the actual mean age at death, influenced by all factors unique to a location-specific population, including its age structure. As part of the modelling process, uncertainty intervals (UIs) were generated using the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles from a 250-draw distribution for each metric. Findings are reported as counts and age-standardised rates. Methodological improvements for cause-of-death estimates in GBD 2023 include a correction for the misclassification of deaths due to COVID-19, updates to the method used to estimate COVID-19, and updates to the CODEm modelling framework. This analysis used 55 761 data sources, including vital registration and verbal autopsy data as well as data from surveys, censuses, surveillance systems, and cancer registries, among others. For GBD 2023, there were 312 new country-years of vital registration cause-of-death data, 3 country-years of surveillance data, 51 country-years of verbal autopsy data, and 144 country-years of other data types that were added to those used in previous GBD rounds. FINDINGS: The initial years of the COVID-19 pandemic caused shifts in long-standing rankings of the leading causes of global deaths: it ranked as the number one age-standardised cause of death at Level 3 of the GBD cause classification hierarchy in 2021. By 2023, COVID-19 dropped to the 20th place among the leading global causes, returning the rankings of the leading two causes to those typical across the time series (ie, ischaemic heart disease and stroke). While ischaemic heart disease and stroke persist as leading causes of death, there has been progress in reducing their age-standardised mortality rates globally. Four other leading causes have also shown large declines in global age-standardised mortality rates across the study period: diarrhoeal diseases, tuberculosis, stomach cancer, and measles. Other causes of death showed disparate patterns between sexes, notably for deaths from conflict and terrorism in some locations. A large reduction in age-standardised rates of YLLs occurred for neonatal disorders. Despite this, neonatal disorders remained the leading cause of global YLLs over the period studied, except in 2021, when COVID-19 was temporarily the leading cause. Compared to 1990, there has been a considerable reduction in total YLLs in many vaccine-preventable diseases, most notably diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and measles. In addition, this study quantified the mean age at death for all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality and found noticeable variation by sex and location. The global all-cause mean age at death increased from 46·8 years (95% UI 46·6-47·0) in 1990 to 63·4 years (63·1-63·7) in 2023. For males, mean age increased from 45·4 years (45·1-45·7) to 61·2 years (60·7-61·6), and for females it increased from 48·5 years (48·1-48·8) to 65·9 years (65·5-66·3), from 1990 to 2023. The highest all-cause mean age at death in 2023 was found in the high-income super-region, where the mean age for females reached 80·9 years (80·9-81·0) and for males 74·8 years (74·8-74·9). By comparison, the lowest all-cause mean age at death occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, where it was 38·0 years (37·5-38·4) for females and 35·6 years (35·2-35·9) for males in 2023. Lastly, our study found that all-cause 70q0 decreased across each GBD super-region and region from 2000 to 2023, although with large variability between them. For females, we found that 70q0 notably increased from drug use disorders and conflict and terrorism. Leading causes that increased 70q0 for males also included drug use disorders, as well as diabetes. In sub-Saharan Africa, there was an increase in 70q0 for many non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Additionally, the mean age at death from NCDs was lower than the expected mean age at death for this super-region. By comparison, there was an increase in 70q0 for drug use disorders in the high-income super-region, which also had an observed mean age at death lower than the expected value. INTERPRETATION: We examined global mortality patterns over the past three decades, highlighting-with enhanced estimation methods-the impacts of major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to broader trends such as increasing NCDs in low-income regions that reflect ongoing shifts in the global epidemiological transition. This study also delves into premature mortality patterns, exploring the interplay between age and causes of death and deepening our understanding of where targeted resources could be applied to further reduce preventable sources of mortality. We provide essential insights into global and regional health disparities, identifying locations in need of targeted interventions to address both communicable and non-communicable diseases. There is an ever-present need for strengthened health-care systems that are resilient to future pandemics and the shifting burden of disease, particularly among ageing populations in regions with high mortality rates. Robust estimates of causes of death are increasingly essential to inform health priorities and guide efforts toward achieving global health equity. The need for global collaboration to reduce preventable mortality is more important than ever, as shifting burdens of disease are affecting all nations, albeit at different paces and scales. FUNDING: Gates Foundation.GBD 2023 Causes of Death Collaborators</p
Public transport supply in rural Sweden : Examining distribution through the lens of equity
No full textLike in several other European countries, rural areas in Sweden face significant challenges related to public transport accessibility that are driven by demographic and economic shifts, including population decline and urbanization. This study adopts a supply-side perspective, focusing on whether services are available and accessible in the vicinity of people's place of residence, and evaluates inequalities in public transport provision through the lenses of horizontal equity (distribution across the general population) and vertical equity (provision for marginalised groups). Using high-resolution grid-level population data and General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data, we construct four indicators—service frequency, proximity to stops, number of routes, and accessibility—that are synthesised into a Public Transport Supply Index (PTSI). Horizontal equity is assessed through Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients, while vertical equity is analysed by comparing PTSI values across ranges of socio-economic groups. Results reveal pronounced disparities between more densely populated and rural areas, where more densely populated areas exhibit higher PTSI values. Nonetheless, despite these disparities, the study identifies relatively high equity in transport provision, particularly for groups such as low-income households and young adults
What Is Shared in an Online Peer-Support Group Run by Stroke Survivors? An Exploratory Study With a Participatory Approach
No full textBACKGROUND: Many stroke survivors face disabilities that can have a substantial lifelong impact on both their own and their significant others' life situations. Online groups on social media can serve as forums for peer support among people sharing a common experience. However, there is limited knowledge about online peer-support groups for people living with the consequences of stroke that are initiated and managed by stroke survivors themselves. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore and describe what stroke survivors and their significant others share in posts and comments in a Facebook group for stroke survivors, initiated and run by stroke survivors. METHODS: In this participatory, exploratory and qualitative study, three stroke survivors, engaged as co-researchers with no previous research experience, identified Facebook as an important context for sharing experiences and peer support. Data were collected by summarizing posts and comments from a Facebook group over 3 months and analyzed using the principles of inductive qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: In total, 5 categories and 11 subcategories were created. The categories Narrating About Everyday Life with the Consequences of Stroke, Dealing with the Emotional Struggle of Poststroke Life, Making Progress and Enjoying Everyday Life, Navigating Societal Services and Societal Demands and Continuing Everyday Life describe narratives, questions and requests for other members' experiences related to challenges and situations that the group's members faced post-stroke. CONCLUSION: We conclude that there is considerable breadth in the topics and issues discussed in the online forum, reflecting that a stroke affects many areas of life for both stroke survivors and their significant others. Furthermore, online peer-to-peer support for stroke survivors have the potential to provide a context for sharing experiences and knowledge, and for developing experiential knowledge. Clinical implications are that rehabilitation professionals can inform stroke survivors about the existence of online peer-to-peer groups, include the ability to use social media in assessments of activity performance, and, if relevant, support stroke survivors' use of social media. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Stroke survivors identified Facebook as a context for the study. They collaborated in data collection, analysis, interpretation and discussion of findings and are co-authors
Nurses' experiences of palliative care for older adults in home health care : a qualitative interview study
No full textBakgrund: Palliativ vård fokuserar på att lindra lidande och stärka livskvaliteten för äldre med långt framskridna sjukdomstillstånd, genom symtomlindring, samarbete och stöd till anhöriga. Sjuksköterskor har en central roll i att samordna vården i hemmet, där anhörigas delaktighet och teamarbete är avgörande för en värdig vård i livets slutskede. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av palliativ vård av äldre personer i hemsjukvården. Metod: Metoden för studien var en kvalitativ intervjustudie. Datainsamlingen genomfördes genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med tio sjuksköterskor, vilka valdes ut genom ett bekvämlighetsurval från fyra hemsjukvårdsteam i mellersta Sverige. De inspelade intervjuerna transkriberades ordagrant och analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultat: Sjuksköterskors erfarenheter speglar betydelsen av professionell samverkan, där organisatoriska förutsättningar och samarbete är centrala. Patienten och anhörigperspektiv lyfts genom rätten att få dö hemma och vikten av anhörigas delaktighet. Vårdpersonalens roll och ansvar beskrivs genom att skapa trygghet, läkarens roll och ansvar, lyhördhet till förändringar samt behovet av kunskap. Slutsats: Den palliativa vården i hemmet upplevs som meningsfull men utmanande. Trygghet och värdighet kräver samarbete mellan yrkesgrupper och anhöriga. Äldres önskan att dö hemma respekteras, men hindras ofta av bristande resurser och samordning. Sjuksköterskor uttrycker engagemang men efterfrågar bättre förutsättningar.Background: Palliative care focuses on relieving suffering and enhancing the quality of life for older adults with advanced illnesses through symptom management, collaboration, and support for family members. Nurses play a central role in coordinating care at home, where family involvement and teamwork are crucial for ensuring dignified end-of-life care. Aim: The aim was to describe nurses' experiences of palliative care of older people in home healthcare. Method: The method used in the study was a qualitative interview approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with ten nurses, selected through a convenience sample from four home healthcare teams in central Sweden. The recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Nurses' experiences reflect the importance of professional collaboration, where organizational conditions and teamwork are central. The patient and family perspective is highlighted through the right to die at home and the importance of family involvement. The role and responsibility of healthcare professionals are described in terms of creating a sense of security, the physician's role and responsibilities, responsiveness to change, and the need for knowledge. Conclusions: Palliative care at home is experienced as meaningful but challenging. Security and dignity require collaboration between professional groups and family members. Older adults’ wish to die at home is respected but often hindered by limited resources and poor coordination. Nurses express commitment but call for better conditions