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Regular-fat and low-fat dairy foods and cardiovascular diseases: perspectives for future dietary recommendations
Get PDFMost current dietary guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) recommend the consumption of low-fat dairy in place of regular-fat
dairy foods, one of the main sources of dietary saturated fatty acids (SFAs). Here, we summarize the data presented and discussions held—relating to the
validity of such recommendations—between a panel of international nutrition research experts at a high-level closed workshop on "Saturated Fat in Dairy
and Cardiovascular Diseases," which took place in Amsterdam on 15–16 April, 2024. The most recent evidence indicates that overall, consumption of
milk, yogurt and cheese, irrespective of fat content, is neutrally associated with CVD risk. There is also no evidence yet from randomized controlled trials
that consumption of regular-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese has different effects on a broad array of cardiometabolic risk factors when compared with
consumption of low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese. Thus, the body of evidence does not support differentiation between regular-fat and low-fat dairy foods in dietary guidelines for both adults and children. Strategies focusing primarily on reduction of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, the main source of SFAs in Western diets, rather than on the fat content of dairy foods, are more likely to benefit the population’s cardiovascular health. Future research is
needed to understand better the place of regular-fat and low-fat dairy foods within healthy eating patterns
Introducing time parallelization within data assimilation
No full textFour-dimensional variational data assimilation (4D-Var), in its incremental formulation, is based on optimization algorithms which require the integration of the forward and adjoint versions of the original model in order to compute the gradient. For their use on parallel computers, these models are classically parallelized only in spatial dimension and this is a limiting factor on the maximum number of cores that can be utilized. We present here a novel approach of introducing additional time parallelization using the Parareal algorithm. This approach is used here for integration of the forward model. We use a modified version of the inexact conjugate gradient method where the matrix-vector multiplication is supplied through Parareal. The use of this inexact conjugate gradient and the associated convergence conditions allows us to precisely determine the stopping criterion of the Parareal iterations. The results are demonstrated by considering a one-dimensional shallow water model. They are presented in terms of the accuracy (in comparison with the original exact conjugate gradient) and in terms of the number of required iterations of the Parareal algorithm
Assessing the impact of a university transition online course on student continuation using statistical matching methods
Get PDFThis study demonstrates how to evaluate a university-wide online course designed to support student transition into university by using Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and Doubly Robust Estimation (DRE). Using data from seven academic years, from 2016/17 to 2022/23, with more than 28,000 students, we examine whether enrolment in this optional pre-arrival course affects first-year pass rates. We also conducted additional analyses to compare outcomes from the year before and after the course’s implementation, as well as to examine these patterns across recent cohorts to potentially account for contextual changes over time. Results indicate that enrolled students show a 6.2 percentage point increase in the likelihood of passing Year 1, controlling for factors including sex, domicile, age, ethnicity, disability and socioeconomic status. We demonstrate how utilising existing institutional data can potentially strengthen evidence of impact for centralised initiatives and conclude with reflections on the use of such institutional data and matching techniques and their viability for future evaluations
Two heads are better than one: determinants of European MNC headquarters dispersion in their home region
Get PDFThis study examines the relationship between the complexity of the international activities of European multinational corporations (MNCs) and the regional dispersion of their headquarters (HQ) systems within their home region. To explore this, we assess both external complexity
(related to MNC’ exposure to different markets) and internal complexity (the nature of the value chain and activities carried out by the MNC) and analyze their effects on headquarters dispersion. Theoretically, we draw on Information Processing Theory, which recognizes that higher value added activities (e.g., R&D, marketing) are inherently more complex to manage. As a result, strategic responses to this complexity influence the structure of the headquarters system. Our hypotheses are tested using a sample of 554 new foreign HQ investments by European companies.
The findings suggest that the level of complexity drives the regional dispersion of headquarters systems. From an academic standpoint, we operationalize the complexity of multinational corporations, particularly focusing on internal complexity by considering the characteristics of the value chain and subsidiary activities. Additionally, we connect both internal and external complexity at the regional level to the strategic response of headquarters dispersion from an empirical perspective. Finally, our study suggests that following the regionalization of value
chains, headquarters may be reorganized geographically, which is also a topic of interest for policymakers
Involving young people with lived experience in advancing mental health science: an exploratory qualitative study from Pakistan and India
Get PDFMeaningful involvement of young People with Lived Experience (PWLE) in co-designing youth mental health interventions has been much emphasized globally. However, there is a scarcity of evidence on involving PWLE of mental health problems in designing, implementing and evaluating mental health interventions, especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The aim of the current study was to understand the perspectives of young PWLE from two South Asian countries, Pakistan and India, regarding “Active Ingredients” (AIs) for youth mental health (i.e., components or processes of mental health intervention(s) that make a difference to mental health outcomes), as part of the Wellcome Trust AI Commission.
Methods
For this exploratory qualitative study, we conducted 30 qualitative interviews via Zoom with young PWLE from Pakistan ( n = 19, 14 females and 5 males) and India ( n = 11, 8 females and 3 males) to explore their views about different AIs for youth anxiety and depression in South Asia. The qualitative data was analysed using a thematic analysis approach that moved through the phases of familiarization, generation of codes, searching, identification and review of themes and selection of illustrative quotes.
The results show that family and religion are integral to promoting positive youth mental health in the South Asian context. The AIs perceived to be most relevant for Pakistani and Indian young people were (i) improving social relationships; (ii) managing emotions; and (iii) relaxation techniques. Participants highlighted the need to explore the role of family support, personal space, spirituality/religion, schools, mental health literacy and stigma as potential AIs of mental health for young people in South Asia. The need for ease of access to mental health support and minimizing barriers to engagement with mental health services were highlighted as important contextual factors. Our findings highlight the need for culturally responsive youth mental health strategies that incorporate their preferred intervention components and address key challenges including stigma faced by South Asian youth.
The current study highlights specific intervention components and contextual considerations that are important to Indian and Pakistani young PWLE when designing and delivering mental health interventions. Our findings underscore the need to work with young PWLE and consider their context, culture, and resources when developing or evaluating mental health interventions. Given our sample likely represents a relatively advantaged group, future studies can use targeted sampling strategies to capture perspectives of young people from lower socio-economic strata
Spontaneous music listening in dementia: relationships between listening device and rumination but not depression, anxiety and listening frequency
Get PDFMusic-based interventions are commonly used with persons with dementia, yet research exploring the technologies used for spontaneous music listening in dementia and its association with psychological factors was lacking. Persons with (n = 55) and without (n = 66) dementia/cognitive impairment completed a cognitive status interview, online self-report depression, anxiety and rumination scales, and reported their music listening device(s) and frequency of listening. Listening occurred most days and via music-related (i.e. radio) devices more often. Relationships were found between the number of music-related and multi-functional (e.g. laptop) devices used and rumination scores for persons with dementia/cognitive impairment, and between the total number of devices used and depression scores for persons without dementia/cognitive impairment. Cognitive-status scores had opposing relationships with device use
for persons with and without dementia/cognitive impairment. To conclude, rumination and depression are associated with the technologies used for music listening by persons with and without dementia/cognitive impairment, respectively. Larger samples and longitudinal and/or experience sampling data could be collected to better understand the relationships identified in our data and their applications
Biotechnological strategies for enhancing the fermentability of edible seaweeds
No full textEdible seaweeds represent a promising but underutilized food resource,
limited by challenges such as poor consumer acceptance, high perishability and a
complex cell wall that hinders their fermentability. This thesis explored
biotechnological strategies to characterise and enhance the fermentability of
three edible seaweeds, namely Fucus vesiculosus, Porphyra dioica, and Ulva sp.,
through microbial fermentation and enzymatic saccharification.
Three food-grade microorganisms, namely Cyberlindnera jadinii,
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Aspergillus oryzae, were assessed for their
ability to ferment seaweed substrates. Results demonstrated that microbial
growth and metabolite production were closely tied to the availability of soluble
sugars and free amino nitrogen within seaweed substrates. F. vesiculosus yielded
the highest amount of soluble monosaccharides (97.6 ± 6.3 mg/g) and led to the
highest viable colony counts in for both L. plantarum (6.3 × 109 CFU/mL) and C.
jadinii (2.6 × 108 CFU/mL). The latter demonstrated a strong capacity to influence
the volatile profile of seaweeds by reducing undesirable aroma compounds such
as hexanal and (Z)-4-heptenal, and introducing fermentation-derived volatiles,
including 3-methyl-1-butanol and phenylethyl alcohol, with the potential to
improve overall sensory appeal. The enzymatic saccharification of Ulva sp. using a
combination of A. oryzae-derived and commercial enzymes significantly increased
fermentable sugar availability, up to a maximum glucose yield of 157.1 ± 1.1 mg/g.
This led to an increase in maximum viable colony counts of L. plantarum and C.
jadinii, as well as enhanced lactic acid production in the former and volatile profile
development in the latter. Additionally, the saccharification potential of purple sea
urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) gut extracts was investigated, revealing their
capacity to hydrolyse complex seaweed polysaccharides into assimilable sugars.
This effect was most significant in Ulva sp., where glucose concentrations raised
from below detection limit to a maximum of 178.64 ± 2.0 mg/g after exposure to
the gut extracts.
The findings of this thesis provide solid evidence on the potential of
fermentation as a tool to improve the nutritional attributes of edible seaweeds,
particularly when combined with targeted enzymatic pre-treatment. Moreover, by
addressing technical and sensory limitations of seaweed fermentation, this
research generated novel information and laid foundations for the broader
adoption of seaweeds as a viable and innovative food resource in the global
market
PETS2025: multi-authority multi-sensor maritime surveillance challenge and evaluation
Get PDFThis paper presents the outcomes of the PETS2025 challenge, held in conjunction with AVSS 2025 and sponsored by the EU-funded EURMARS project. The challenge introduces a novel maritime surveillance dataset comprising image sequences captured by diverse multi-altitude, multimodal sensors, reflecting the real-world multi-authority environment. The key tasks include: (1) object detection using various sensors across different platforms (ground-based and low-altitude aerial) and spectral ranges (visible, thermal, ultraviolet (UV), and short-wave infrared (SWIR)); (2) long-term tracking of targets in maritime environments spanning both sea and land; and (3) approximating target geolocations by using sensor imagery and telemetry data. Performance evaluations of results submitted by 12 international participants are discussed. The results show the effectiveness of these submissions and highlight ongoing challenges posed by heterogeneous sensors and complex environments. These challenges emphasise the need to further improve detection, tracking, and geolocation approximation for maritime and coastal surveillance
Developing a rapid assessment tool for identifying and safeguarding pollinators: a case study from a global avocado company
Get PDFAbstract
Agricultural intensification poses a global threat to many wild species, including insect pollinators. Despite the dependence of many companies on insect‐pollinated crops within their supply chains, only a limited number of them actively implement measures to protect pollinators. This study aims to address this issue by developing a tool that businesses can employ to create effective pollinator conservation strategies. To create this tool, we utilized an existing roadmap as a foundational structure and adapted it into a practical tool through a comprehensive review of the literature and the development of specific methodologies. Subsequently, we applied this tool to a case‐study company to further refine the methods and gather industry feedback. The developed tool identifies seven specific activities that companies can implement to achieve the following objectives: (1) understand the threats to pollinators, (2) recognize the significance of pollinators to their business (3) assess current pollinator actions, and (4) explore additional pollinator protection measures. The results from our case study indicate that increasing knowledge transfer to growers and supporting them to participate in environmental certification schemes could serve as effective strategies. The tool developed in this study aims to assist companies in identifying effective strategies to safeguard pollinators. Its potential implementation across a wide range of companies could greatly benefit growers and contribute to the conservation of various pollinator species