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Through the years, the range of services involving animals benefiting people, often described as “animal-assisted interventions” (AAIs), has been plagued with confusing and inconsistent taxonomy, terminology, and definitions. This has caused difficulties for the delineation of roles of service providers, for the recipients of services, as well as for the preparation, training, and expectations of the animals that work in different roles. It can be argued that these difficulties have compromised the development of the field in terms of establishing agreed standards of practice, qualifications, and competencies and adopting good animal welfare practices. It has also likely limited the base of evidence, as search terms used to access studies are not consistent, and study protocols are difficult to compare, lacking uniformity in terminology. Additionally, the current terminology cannot accommodate the expansion and diversification of programs in recent years, which is likely to continue as the field evolves. Establishing internationally agreed upon uniform taxonomy, terminology, and definitions is crucial to more accurately reflect the key features of different approaches, to define the scope and competencies for different service providers and their animals, to provide transparency about services for recipients, and to ensure the appropriate preparation, training, and support of the animals that work with them., The recommendations in this article are the result of an international work group that convened over the course of two years. The umbrella term animal-assisted services (AAS) is proposed, defined as services that are facilitated, guided or mediated by a health or human service provider or educator, who works with and maintains the welfare of a specially alongside a specially qualifying animal to provide therapeutic, educational, supportive and/or ameliorative processes aimed at enhancing the well-being of humans. AAS are further categorized into three main areas: treatment, education, and support programs. A recommendation for provider-specific terminology is also suggested. The aim of these proposals is to set clear expectations and boundaries for each specialty of practice, without compromising the richness and diversity of each approach. The adoption of this new umbrella term and its categories is intended to improve clarity for all involved in the receipt and delivery of services, as well as for those who study their effects.

Abstract Background Social isolation and feelings of loneliness are very prevalent in people with neurodegenerative diseases and are associated with a lower quality of life and other negative outcomes. These problems were increased during the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in initiatives to address social isolation. Given the potential benefits of nature-based and animal-assisted intervention strategies (NATAIS), it is crucial to further investigate if and how these strategies might minimize negative effects of social isolation and feelings of loneliness in this population. Therefore, the aim of this project was to develop a research agenda for NATAIS in people with neurodegenerative diseases, especially during challenging times, such as pandemics. Methods This article outlines the process and results of a group concept mapping procedure aimed at developing a research agenda based on a logic model. In total, 19 work group members participated through a combination of in-person and online group meetings. Additionally, face-to-face group sessions were held at two international scientific conferences, during which feedback was solicited from 12 experts in the field of NATAIS and psychogeriatrics. Results The group concept mapping procedure resulted in 14 clusters describing various future research topics, which were further refined and detailed during group discussions. The remaining eleven clusters, encompassing important research themes within the field of NATAIS, were organized into a logic model and summarized into the research agenda. The overarching cluster ‘ethical issues, possible risk factors, and their solutions’ was considered the most relevant during times of increased social isolation, such as during a pandemic, along with the necessity for more accessible NATAIS. Conclusions This project resulted in a research agenda, directing future research and fostering collaboration between practitioners and researchers in the field of NATAIS. Such an enhanced partnership between science and practice has the potential to significantly contribute to the well-being of people with neurodegenerative diseases, in their daily lives and also during pandemics.

We propose and test the proposition that innate personality differences in trait affect explain significant variance in student satisfaction. Using three standard measures of trait affect and data from a student sample (n = 409) of PhD candidates across science, social science and humanities in 63 universities from 20 countries, we find that 24% of variance in student satisfaction is accounted for by trait affect. We also find that both discipline studied and research orientation of university have moderating effects on the relationship between trait affect and student satisfaction. Our findings suggest student satisfaction scores need to be viewed with caution because, in part, they merely reflect individual-level trait affect that--like all innate personality traits--academics, university administrators and education ministers alike are powerless to alter. Our findings indicate that governments, universities and other organisations gathering student satisfaction data could usefully adopt measures to control for trait affect. Our findings also raise the possibility that universities might strategically incorporate innate affect in their student selection criteria to game satisfaction ratings.

This longitudinal study serves as a model for examining and understanding the role of editing and its contributing factors in writing center tutorials. The study quantifies the frequency of and time devoted to editing in over 4,000 writing center tutorials and finds these quantities differ in statistically significant ways when broken down by user groups (gender, student standing, course level, and primary language); tutoring modes (face-to-face, synchronous-online, and asynchronous); and time of student visit relative to project due date. Analysis identifies contributing factors that influence frequency of and time spent on editing in tutorials by these groups, including group membership and their associated editing practices and tutorial habits. The study's findings fill an important gap in our understanding of what takes place in writing center tutorials and have significant implications for tutor training and marketing of writing center services.

Low completion rates amongst students from Black working-class backgrounds remain a persistent challenge to post-apartheid university transformation in South Africa. Notions of universities as colour-blind, meritocratic, and post-racial have developed around a deficit and victim-blaming majoritarian narrative that individualises educational under-achievement, blaming victims and downplaying the complicity of universities in reproducing inequity. This article analyses the narratives of a group of Black working-class students, and academics on their in-depth experiences of educational success and failure in post-apartheid South African universities. Counter-storytelling is employed to foreground and promote the voice and lived experiences of those who often go unheard; and to highlight their narratives as valuable and critical in understanding persistent inequity in higher education. This article looks beyond the fixation on what students from marginalised communities are perceived to lack to reassert a place for institutional context in studying their experiences, to minimise the de-contextualisation of such experiences; and to illuminate areas of universities' complicity in reproducing untenable educational experiences and outcomes for those already in the margins. Participants' counter-stories are presented to deepen our understanding and theorisation of Black working-class students' lived experiences in a manner that enriches the work of researchers, policy makers and practitioners.

Abstract Despite hundreds of studies examining belief in conspiracy theories, it is still unclear who—demographically—is most likely to believe such theories. To remedy this knowledge gap, we examine survey data containing various operationalizations of conspiracism across diverse sociopolitical contexts. Study 1 employs a 2021 U.S. survey (n = 2021) to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and beliefs in 39 conspiracy theories. Study 2 similarly employs a survey of 20 countries (n = 26,416) and 11 conspiracy theory beliefs. Study 3 reports results from a 2020 U.S. survey (n = 2015) measuring perceptions about which groups are engaging in conspiracies. Study 4 interrogates data from nine U.S. surveys (2012–2022; n = 14,334) to examine the relationships between sociodemographic characteristics and generalized conspiracy thinking. Study 5 synchronizes studies 1–4 to provide an intersectional analysis of conspiracy theory belief. Across studies, we observe remarkably consistent patterns: education, income, age (older), and White identification are negatively related to conspiracism, while Black identification is positively related. We conclude by discussing why conspiracy theories may appeal most to historically marginalized groups and how our findings can inform efforts to mitigate the negative effects of conspiracy theories.

Summary: Background: To evaluate the immunogenicity of the inactivated herpes-zoster vaccine HZ/su in patients at increased risk for VZV-reactivation, we analysed the quantity and quality of the vaccine-induced cellular and humoral immunity in patients on dialysis with uremic immunodeficiency. Methods: In this observational study, 29 patients and 39 immunocompetent controls underwent standard dual-dose vaccination. Blood samples were analysed before and two weeks after each vaccination, and after one year. Specific T-cells were characterized after stimulation with VZV-gE-peptides based on induction of cytokines and CTLA-4-expression using flow-cytometry. Antibodies were analysed using ELISA. Findings: Both groups showed an increase in VZV-gE-specific CD4 T-cell levels over time (p

Abstract Background Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous neoplasms that arise from the uterus affecting over 75% of women. However, there is a disparity with Black women having an increased prevalence of nearly 80%. Black women also experience increased symptom burden, including younger age at the time of diagnosis and increased number and volume of fibroids. Less is known about other ethnoracially diverse women such as Latinas and the potential cultural impacts on fibroid burden and treatment. Methods Community engagement studios were conducted to facilitate discussions with stakeholders on their uterine fibroid and menstruation experience. We recruited Black women (n = 6) diagnosed with uterine fibroids and Latinas (n = 7) without uterine fibroids. We held two virtual community engagement studios split by uterine fibroid diagnosis. The studios were not audio recorded and notes were taken by four notetakers. The notes were thematically analyzed in Atlas.ti using content analysis. Results Participants felt there was a lack of discussion around menstruation overall, whether in the home or school settings. This lack of menstruation education was pronounced when participants had their first menstruation experience, with many unaware of what to expect. This silence around menstruation led to a normalization of painful menstruation symptoms. When it came to different treatment options for uterine fibroids, some women wanted to explore alternative treatments but were dismissed by their healthcare providers. Many participants advocated for having discussions with their healthcare provider about life goals to discuss different treatment options for their uterine fibroids. Conclusion Despite uterine fibroid diagnosis, there is silence around menstruation. Menstruation is a normal biological occurrence and needs to be discussed to help prevent delayed diagnosis of uterine fibroids and possibly other gynecological disorders. Along with increased discussions around menstruation, further discussion is needed between healthcare providers and uterine fibroid patients to explore appropriate treatment options.

Abstract Loss-of-function mutations have provided crucial insights into the immunoregulatory actions of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). By contrast, we know very little about the consequences of defects that amplify aspects of Treg function or differentiation. Here we show that mice heterozygous for an Ikbkb gain-of-function mutation develop psoriasis. Doubling the gene dose (Ikbkb GoF/GoF) results in dactylitis, spondylitis, and characteristic nail changes, which are features of psoriatic arthritis. Ikbkb GoF mice exhibit a selective expansion of Foxp3 + CD25+ Tregs of which a subset express IL-17. These modified Tregs are enriched in both inflamed tissues, blood and spleen, and their transfer is sufficient to induce disease without conventional T cells. Single-cell transcriptional and phenotyping analyses of isolated Tregs reveal expansion of non-lymphoid tissue (tissue-resident) Tregs expressing Th17-related genes, Helios, tissue-resident markers including CD103 and CD69, and a prominent NF-κB transcriptome. Thus, IKK2 regulates tissue-resident Treg differentiation, and overactivity drives dose-dependent skin and systemic inflammation.

The gut fungi play important roles in human health and are involved in energy metabolism. This study aimed to examine gut mycobiome composition in obese subjects in two geographically different regions in China and to identify specific gut fungi associated with obesity. A total of 217 subjects from two regions with different urbanization levels [Hong Kong (HK): obese, n = 59; lean, n = 59; Kunming (KM): obese, n = 50; lean, n = 49. Mean body mass index (BMI) for obesity = 33.7] were recruited. We performed deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing on fecal samples to compare gut mycobiome composition and trophic functions in lean and obese subjects across these two regions. The gut mycobiome of obese subjects in both HK and KM were altered compared to those of lean subjects, characterized by a decrease in the relative abundance of Nakaseomyces, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Candida dubliniensis and an increase in the abundance of Lanchanceathermotolerans, Saccharomyces paradox, Parastagonospora nodorum and Myceliophthorathermophila. Reduced fungal – bacterial and fungal – fungal correlations as well as increased negative fungal-bacterial correlations were observed in the gut of obese subjects. Furthermore, the anti-obesity effect of fungus S. pombe was further validated using a mouse model. Supplementing high-fat diet-induced obese mice with the fungus for 12 weeks led to a significant reduction in body weight gain (p

Increasing numbers of students with disabilities (SWD) receive remote or online instruction in secondary mathematics. Unprecedented shifts in teaching modalities during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for effective remote instruction. The present study surveyed 31 general and special education teachers to identify features of remote instruction in secondary mathematics for SWD and understand the changes between Spring and Fall of 2020. Teachers reported increases in the variety of presentation and practice methods and the use of synchronous methods of feedback. Assessment and methods of providing feedback on assessments remained stable over time. Shifts represented alignment with existing frameworks for best practices in online learning and provided opportunities for the incorporation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) into secondary mathematics instruction. Barriers, such as progress monitoring and providing intensive instruction, remain prevalent and critical areas for continued investigation.

Objective: The relevance of pets in long-term home care is increasingly recognised because of their effects on health outcomes in clients and the rising number of clients receiving long-term care at home (further referred to as clients receiving home care). Currently, there is a lack of supportive materials that address pet-related challenges within home care. This study aimed to develop a toolkit for clients receiving home care with pets, their family, and professional caregivers using a participatory research approach. Methods: We used the Experience-Based Co-Design method involving clients receiving home care, family caregivers, and professional caregivers to create tools that are based on both theory and practice. This approach consists of four phases: 1) Exploring topics of emotional significance requiring attention (i.e., key moments) from the perspective of clients receiving home care, family caregivers, and professional caregivers; 2) Collaboratively prioritising these topics, through prioritisation meetings; 3) Developing and refining Toolkit materials through a co-design process; and 4) Evaluating the quality and feasibility of these materials. Results: Based on the results of a previously-conducted systematic review and individual interviews, we developed a preliminary information booklet and conversation cards. Subsequently, we conducted a total of 28 semi-structured interviews and seven focus groups, including one with representatives of animal interest organisations, such as veterinarians. This process led to the PET@home Toolkit which includes various materials to support pet ownership in home care settings, such as leaflets with advice on communication and animal welfare and an infographic. Conclusion: The PET@home Toolkit can support professional caregivers and their pet-owning clients receiving home care, family caregivers, and their pets. It may be a valuable addition to providing person-centred care in long-term care at home for clients with pets. The PET@home Toolkit and future updates will be readily available and free to download from May 2024 via the University Knowledge Network for Older Adult Care Nijmegen (www.ukonnetwerk.nl). Tweetable abstract: The PET@home Toolkit: Supporting pet ownership in long-term care at home.

(1) Background: Dog-assisted therapy (DAT) is an experiential intervention to promote psychological, physical, and social functioning in children and adults. Only few studies have been conducted on DAT in adults with a mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning (MID-BIF). The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of patients with MID-BIF undergoing DAT in a mental health care facility. (2) Method: Seven patients completed 13 to 15 sessions of DAT. Within two weeks of completing the program, they were interviewed using a semi-structured interview. The transcripts of the interviews were analysed using interpretational phenomenological analysis. In addition, the patients’ relatives and the DAT therapist were interviewed, and a focus group discussion took place with each patient’s treatment team. (3) Results: The patients’ experiences were predominantly positive. Physical contact with the dog calmed them down. The dog offered them emotional support and helped them to make contact inside and outside the therapy and the setting where they lived. The patients also liked the fact that DAT focused on the dog rather than their problems, that the therapy was experiential and using a positive approach, and that, during the therapy, they did not feel like a patient but a human being. DAT is a promising therapy for patients with MID-BIF in mental health care facilities, but more research into its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness and ways to implement DAT in clinical practice is needed to make more definitive statements.

Abstract Phase retardation is a cornerstone of modern optics, yet, at mid-infrared (mid-IR) frequencies, it remains a major challenge due to the scarcity of simultaneously transparent and birefringent crystals. Most materials resonantly absorb due to lattice vibrations occurring at mid-IR frequencies, and natural birefringence is weak, calling for hundreds of microns to millimeters-thick phase retarders for sufficient polarization rotation. Here, we demonstrate mid-IR phase retardation with flakes of α-MoO3 that are more than ten times thinner than the operational wavelength, achieving 90 degrees polarization rotation within one micrometer of material. We report conversion ratios above 50% in reflection or transmission mode, and wavelength tunability by several micrometers. Our results showcase that exfoliated flakes of low-dimensional crystals can serve as a platform for mid-IR miniaturized integrated low-loss polarization control.

In temperate rivers, where environmental conditions vary seasonally, many fishes migrate among summer, spawning, and winter habitats. Dams disrupt these migrations, limiting access to habitat and potentially affecting populations. Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) is a species of fish with at-risk populations in central Canada. The impact of dams on the extent of Bigmouth Buffalo migration and the overlap between summer and winter home ranges is unknown. Here, we assessed the migratory history of 80 Bigmouth Buffalo tagged with acoustic transmitters in the Red River (USA and Canada), a large binational waterway regulated by semi-passable dams. We sought to understand when and why Bigmouth Buffalo migrate, and how river use varies seasonally. Following more than 6 years of data collection, we found that the degree and probability of overlap between winter and summer home ranges varied by river section between barriers. Importantly, overlap was lowest in the longest continuous river section where well-defined migratory behaviours were observed. The results of this study reveal previously unknown details about Bigmouth Buffalo migration, demonstrate the consequences of river fragmentation on geographic space use, and highlight the importance of river connectivity to fish migration.

Blackbody radiation is incoherent and omnidirectional, whereas various novel applications in renewable energy require a degree of directional control of a thermally emitted beam. So far, such directional control has required nano-structuring the surface of a thermally emitting material, typically by forming diffraction gratings. This, however, necessitates lithography and usually results in polarization-dependent properties. Here, we derive analytical conditions for highly directional thermal emission using a planar 3-layer structure analogous to a Salisbury screen. We present design rules for maximizing the directionality of such structures. Notably, these design rules pertain to both linear polarizations, thus generalizing the principles of a grating for unpolarized light. We show that the key requirement to achieve such performance is ultra-high quality factor resonances in materials supporting phonon polaritonic modes, as those found in low-dimensional materials. We propose a realistic device based on hexagonal Boron Nitride and predict performances comparable to lithography-based nano-structures.