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Background: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides supplemental healthy foods and nutrition education to children under age 5 y in low-income households.Objectives: We aimed to identify characteristics associated with duration of WIC participation and assess how participation duration relates to household food insecurity (HFI), child diet quality, and child weight status at age 60 mo.Methods: This analysis of the WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2, a prospective cohort of WIC-participating children enrolled in 2013, included children with complete baseline-60 mo data (n = 836). Outcomes assessed with WIC participation duration in multivariable regression were HFI (USDA 6-item Household Food Security Screener), child diet quality on a given day [Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015], and obesity (CDC BMI-for-age ≥95th percentile).Results: Factors associated with longer WIC participation included male sex; lower household income; reported diet changes in response to WIC nutrition education; household Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation; English-speaking Hispanic, Spanish-speaking Hispanic, and non-Hispanic other maternal race-ethnicity and language preference; an ever-married mother; lower maternal education; higher maternal age; earlier enrollment during pregnancy; and reporting a subsequent pregnancy. Longer WIC participation was associated with lower HFI odds (OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.95), higher total HEI-2015 (β: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.20, 1.25), and higher obesity odds (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.37) in multivariable-adjusted regression models.Conclusions: Longer WIC participation was associated with reduced HFI and higher diet quality, and unexpectedly with higher obesity odds, at 60 mo. Further research is needed to confirm and understand mechanisms underlying the unexpected associations identified with longer WIC participation (e.g., male sex, obesity). Groups with shorter participation durations may benefit from targeted WIC retention efforts to maximize nutrition security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to highlight and call for more research into whether higher education institutions (HEIs) senior management teams are positioned as empowered leaders of change to coercively as well as persuasively implement an alternative online teaching and learning platform, disrupting existing institutions for the benefit of its major stakeholder, students amidst COVID-19. This study used a qualitative meta-analysis method to combine previous qualitative studies to develop deeper meaning through an interpretive process, signalling that more research in this area is required. We argue that the senior management teams in HEIs are influential actors and change agents and have the potential to significantly contribute to institutional work. In addition, we discovered that institutional entrepreneurship has limited research in the study of HEIs and depicts the opportunity to explore the concept of agency and institutional work in the context of HEIs. This study makes a good impression and emphasises the need for future research, particularly on senior management teams at HEIs, to reflect their institutional work in the formation of institutional changes witnessed in the HEIs' virtual classroom platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is theoretically acknowledged that strategically organised talent management organisational mission, vision, and mission. It was reported that only 70% of universities in Malaysia declared workforce-ready graduates. As a result of the graduate employability investigation, the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), parents, and graduates were alerted. However, a recent employers' investigation revealed that recruiting skilled graduates remained to be seen. An investigation emphasising talent management attributes was launched to address the gap by employing the Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMGT). Drawn from DMGT, interpersonal measurement was the main construct to identify the talent management attributes. First, a qualitative method and semi-structured interview were chosen for the data collection process. Second, a seven-expert panel comprising academics and industry executives were gathered to describe the ideal university graduate's attributes. The finding revealed seven main university graduate attributes: 1) communication, 2) leadership, 3) critical thinking and problem-solving, 4) teamwork, 5) lifelong learning and information management, 6) ethics, morals, and professionalism, and 7) entrepreneurship skills. The selected academics and industry executives recommended paying attention to career adaptability and digital technology. Higher Education Institutions (HEI) might better consider meeting the demands of the workforce and industry in the context of globalisation and digitalisation by focusing on the seven graduate attributes as evident in the investigation. As such, the seven graduate attributes are instrumental in the industry workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) taught at Higher Education Institution (HEI) is a kind of course for students majoring other than English. The descriptive research conducted in one of HEI in Pekanbaru, Riau, involved 65 students majoring in Computer Science of that institution. The data gathered by observation and interviews. This research aimed to find out what were the causes of students' weaknesses in English writing skills, for those were the primary problem that they have compared to other English skills. It was revealed those students had 1) low competence in General English (GE) based on CEFR, 2) had a problem with writing, even in their first language, 3) tendency in taking advantage of Google Translate without further checking, 4) lack of knowledge on lexical choice, sentence construction and the structure of writing, 5) limited practicing time and opportunity.

BackgroundPeriodontal disease is very common worldwide and is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal disease is characterized by chronic inflammation that can destroy adjacent alveolar bone and lead to a loss of periodontal ligaments. Although previous studies have found that a daily diet can influence the development of periodontal disease (e.g., a diet low in carbohydrates and rich in vitamins C and D and fiber can have a protective effect). Periodontal disease may present as gingivitis or periodontitis. However, studies on the role of healthy eating index in periodontitis are lacking. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between healthy eating index and periodontitis.MethodsWe analyzed data collected from participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative survey conducted in 2-year cycles from 2013 to 2014. As part of our analysis, we developed multivariate logistic regression models to examine the independent association between the healthy eating index and periodontitis. We evaluated the significance of association using odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).ResultsIndividuals with a lower total healthy eating index had a higher prevalence of periodontitis. Adjusted multivariate regression models showed that a higher healthy diet index was associated with a lower prevalence of periodontitis (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.55–0.86, P < 0.05).ConclusionThe results of the study showed that dietary structure was associated with the prevalence of periodontitis. Patients with a higher healthy eating index had a lower prevalence of periodontitis. These findings will need to be confirmed by longitudinal, prospective studies in the future.

The nutritional consequences of progressively replacing meat products with plant-based foods need to be systematically evaluated. Modeling analyses provide insights into the predicted food consumption and nutritional adequacy of plant-based diets. We developed a novel methodology to simulate food patterns and evaluate diet quality. Meal data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2018 was used to create 100 7-day meal plans subject to various nutrient and food group optimization criteria. Omnivore (reference diet), flexitarian, pescatarian, and vegetarian food patterns were modeled using mixed integer linear programming. The modeled food patterns used the 25th and 75th percentiles of the US Usual Dietary Intakes to set the optimization constraints. The diet quality was determined using the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015). The modeled vegetarian, pescatarian, and flexitarian food patterns outperformed the omnivore diet on the HEI-2015, with the vegetarian pattern achieving the highest score (82 for females, 78 for males). Modeled flexitarian patterns, with a 25 to 75% reduction in animal protein, offer viable options for those seeking to reduce but not eliminate their animal protein intake while supporting the transition from omnivore to fully plant-based diets. This methodology could be applied to evaluate the nutrient and diet quality of different dietary patterns with various constraints.

The approach to the field of qualitative research in psychology requires the construction of a series of contents, whether conceptual, procedural and/or attitudinal. In the curricular component "Techniques and Practices of Research in Psychology III" the psychology student is inserted in the field of practice (a waiting room of a health center), as a child play worker (with a view to humanization), assuming the role of an observer participant, thus being introduced to this qualitative research technique. Goal: To report an experience of bringing psychology students closer to the field of scientific investigation, in the place of a participant observer, through play, in a waiting room of a medical center, of a Higher Education Institution. Method: Experience report of a participant observation, in the role of a child play worker, in a waiting room of a Health Center. Result: From the remembrance of the facts and the reading of the documents generated in the TEPIN III curricular component (field diaries and reports), we identified two important moments: the first, referring to the preparation for going to the field, which involved the construction of knowledge about the importance of playing, biosafety norms, health humanization processes and, mainly, the role of the participant observer. The child play worker, as an observer, had to be aware that his activity goes beyond the relationship with the ludic; his role is set, in the proposed context, as that of an observer participating in that environment and of people involved in the process, including himself. Conclusions: It can be noticed that these practices are important for the formation of the student of psychology courses, understanding the value of acting in the field of practice from an early age, for enabling the development of fundamental knowledge that must be acquired by students, throughout their journey and, particularly, favoring an approach to the field of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of information technology has influenced the change of concepts of the learning environment. Today, educational institutions are increasingly focused on teaching through technology. Many universities around the world are practicing online learning thanks to the use of technology and broadband capacity that developed countries have implemented in their core and access infrastructures. Seeing the benefits of learning through technology, developing countries are also seriously considering using the benefits of technology for learning. However, there are some challenges that need to be overcome, especially in developing countries, such as poor network infrastructure, lack of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) knowledge, poor content development, and so on. This gap is seen not only between countries, but also within countries. In this paper, we will discuss the main challenges and opportunities that online learning brings in HEIs in developing countries, with emphasis in Kosovo.

This article presents a systematic review of the literature regarding Knowledge Sharing and Organizational Socialization in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The survey of publications was carried out in three databases (Capes, Scielo and Dimensions) forwarded by the following guiding questions: how does organizational socialization occur in HEIs? How does Kknowledge Sharing in HEI contribute to the Organizational Socialization process? To answer these questions, using the Systematic-Search Flow (SSF) method - since this model systematizes the search process and guarantees repeatability, in addition to focusing on exhaustive research on the topic - studies published between February were selected. 2010 to February 2020. To compose the review analysis corpus, 17 articles were obtained. It was found that, although Knowledge Sharing and Organizational Socialization are terms frequently used in national and international literature, research analyzing the relationship between the two is scarce, with only two results being found, none of which specifically addressed the association of concepts. with HEI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender inequality prevails in academia; there is currently no review on the barriers and facilitators to success for female academics in UK Higher Education. We conducted a systematic search identifying 32 papers addressing this issue. Narrative review revealed six themes: networks (prohibiting the inclusion of women), home-work balance (where women are expected to make a binary decision between the two), everyday sexism (leading to compromised psychological wellbeing and reduced likelihood of application for career advancement), inclusion/hierarchy/power structure (the assignment of less valued roles), intersectionality, and facilitators (supportive partner and Athena SWAN). The manifest, overarching narrative was of continued biases, barriers, double-standards, and unsupportive work environments. Law and resulting institutional policy should, but does not appear to, address identified barriers; consideration should be given to processes employed to implement and culturally embed these. Findings suggest we must challenge institutional norms, attitudes and expectations through facilitating accessible networks, consciousness raising and mentorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of the technology has made significant impact on the performance of the organisation. The communication speed with regard to quality of information across all the level of the organisation. In this paper a study has been made to evaluate the impact of the ERP implementation on the organisational performance. For this research the organisations involved in the higher education or HEI (higher education Institutions) technical institutions of Odisha. For this research the data has been collected from the various employees of these HEI technical institutions. Descriptive and regression analysis has been used for the analysis. The result of the analysis revealed that the implementation of the ERP has influenced the performance of the organisation to a considerably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background There is an urgent need to assess the linkages between diet patterns and environmental sustainability in order to meet global targets for reducing premature mortality and improving sustainable management of natural resources. This study fills an important research gap by evaluating the relationship between incremental differences in diet quality and multiple environmental burdens, while also accounting for the separate contributions of retail losses, inedible portions, and consumer waste. Methods Cross sectional, nationally-representative data on food intake in the United States were acquired from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2016), and were linked with nationally-representative data on food loss and waste from published literature. Survey-weighted procedures estimated daily per capita food retail loss, food waste, inedible portions, and consumed food, and were summed to represent Total Food Demand. Diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010. Data on food intake, loss, and waste were inputted into the US Foodprint Model to estimate the amount of agricultural land, fertilizer nutrients, pesticides, and irrigation water used to produce food. Results This study included dietary data from 50,014 individuals aged ≥2 y. Higher diet quality (HEI-2015 and AHEI-2010) was associated with greater per capita Total Food Demand, as well as greater retail loss, inedible portions, consumer waste, and consumed food (P

The purpose of this paper is to propose and empirically substantiate modification of SERVPERF instrument. We demonstrate difference in practical realization of SERVQUAL (Perceptions-Minus-Expectations) and modified SERVPERF (Performance-Minus-Expectation) based on qualitative and two quantitative methodological studies carried out at the Faculty of Sociology of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. We used questionnaire adaptation for higher educational institutes (HEI).The sample size of the quantitative studies (10 persons of 2nd year of education, 10 persons of 3nd year of education, 10 persons of 4th year of Bachelor degree program and 5 persons of 2nd year of Master degree program; every 4th student of each year of education) complies with the used statistical test and the sample size requirements for focus groups. To compare the instruments we used nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test imple­men­ted in the statistical programming package R. Our finding is that modified SERVPERF is more convenient for students, smaller and more useful for online surveys. So, the difference in mean values of answer’s levels is mo­re significant between modified SERVPERF and normalized SERVQUAL than between modified SERVPERF and perceptions in SERVQUAL. Although the research has limitation – it is reconnaissance one and made as a one of steps for adaptation and validation of models for service quality measuring in Ukrainian HEI based on survey of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv students, however, the results of this methodological study allow other researchers to conduct representative studies using an adapted questionnaire of SERVQUAL at their universities. This result is important for service quality estimation which is needed for universities to monitor and improve the quality of their services and elaborate marketing strategy now.

Transformacja cyfrowa zmieniła radykalnie sposób działania wszystkich instytucji i organizacji, w tym uniwersytetów, w zakresie komunikacji i zasad ich funkcjonowania. W koncepcji przedsiębiorczego uniwersytetu wymiar transformacji cyfrowej i potencjału technologicznego stanowi ważne kryterium kształtowania mikroekosystemu przedsiębiorczości. Instytucje szkolnictwa wyższego (HEI) stosują technologie cyfrowe, jednakże stopień wykorzystania i integracji technologii w instytucjach, a nawet jednostkach w obrębie jednej instytucji, jest zróżnicowany. Podczas powodu zagrożenia zewnętrznego (epidemicznego) cyfrowe platformy edukacyjne umożliwiły prowadzenie zajęć i studiowanie w nowej, bezpiecznej i całkowicie zdalnej formule. W przyszłości posiadany i rozwijany potencjał technologiczny będzie wpływać na formację nowej generacji – poprzez tzw. inteligentny uniwersytet (smart university) – docelowo uniwersytet w chmurze (university in the cloud). Przedmiotem artykułu jest ocena przedsiębiorczego uniwersytetu (Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego w Krakowie) w wymiarze technologicznym (zarówno transformacji cyfrowej, potencjału technologicznego, jak i informatycznych technik nauczania). Podstawą ewaluacji są wyniki badań ilościowych przeprowadzonych za pomocą narzędzia samooceny (ankiety HEInnovate) oraz badań jakościowych przeprowadzonych w formie ankiet z otwartymi pytaniami w 2019 i 2020 r. Rezultaty badań wskazują na dobrą ocenę przedsiębiorczości uniwersytetu i jego potencjału w badanym wymiarze.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that poor dietary quality is an important risk factor for disability. However, few studies have compared adherence to dietary patterns with disability and none among Puerto Rican adults., Objectives: This study was designed to examine relationships between 3 dietary patterns-including Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean dietary score (MeDS), and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2010-and ∼6-y incidence of activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability and to assess potential mediation by handgrip strength., Methods: Data are from the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study, a longitudinal cohort of Puerto Rican adults aged 45-75 y (N = 1502). Adherence to dietary pattern variables were derived from food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data averaged at baseline and ∼2 y. Handgrip strength was assessed at baseline. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess longitudinal associations between DASH, MeDS, and HEI-2010 and incident ∼6-y ADL (and subscales) and IADL disability. Mediation by handgrip strength was also tested., Results: Participants with higher adherence DASH had lower risk of ADL, ADL mobility, and ADL manual dexterity disabilities (hazards ratio [HR]: 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91, 0.98; HR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.92, 0.99; and HR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92, 0.98, respectively). Higher adherence to MeDS was associated with lower risk of ADL and ADL mobility disabilities (HR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.98; HR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.82, 1.00), and higher adherence to HEI with lower risk of ADL manual dexterity (HR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97, 0.99) in fully adjusted models. Only DASH tended to be associated with IADL (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.00). Baseline handgrip strength was a mediator between HEI and ADL manual dexterity (23.7% of the indirect effect was explained through handgrip strength)., Conclusions: Higher adherence to a healthy diet pattern may decrease risk of disability and may be an important prevention strategy for ADL and IADL disability associated with aging., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Copyright of NovaRUA Revista Universitaria de Administracion is the property of NovaRUA Revista Universitaria de Administracion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Following a decade of shift towards more school-led or school-centred initial teacher training it is time to assess the impact of this change on the roles of mentors and tutors in university based initial teacher education (ITE) partnerships. This paper therefore elicited the perceptions of school-based mentors' contributions to the education of training teachers when working with a higher education institution (HEI) ITE partnership. During 2018/19, school-based secondary history mentors working with three university providers offering Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and School Direct (SD) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) qualifications, were asked how they perceived the expertise brought to the role of teacher-educator when working in partnership with a university subject-tutor. Many school-based mentors involved in the study worked with a variety of training providers and routes, and university subject-tutors and school-based mentors were understood to have purposeful roles to play, bringing distinct and complementary expertise to a collaborative ITE partnership. The study identifies advantages in HEI ITE partnerships that could be lost if an understanding of the distinct contributions of the school-based mentor and university subject-tutor are not recognised. It offers suggestions as to how these advantages might be maximised to strengthen the quality of subjectspecific mentoring in these partnership contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the association between diet quality and cost for foods purchased for consumption at home and away from home.Design: Cross-sectional analysis. Multivariable linear regression models evaluated the association between diet quality and cost for all food, food at home (FAH) and food away from home (FAFH).Setting: Daily food intake data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2016). Food prices were derived using data from multiple, publicly available databases. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010.Participants: 30 564 individuals ≥20 years with complete and reliable dietary data.Results: Mean per capita daily diet cost was $14·19 (95 % CI (13·91, 14·48)), including $6·92 (95 % CI (6·73, 7·10)) for FAH and $7·28 (95 % CI (7·05, 7·50)) for FAFH. Diet quality was higher for FAH compared to FAFH (P < 0·001). Higher diet quality was associated with higher food costs overall, FAH and FAFH (P < 0·001 for all comparisons).Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that higher diet quality is associated with higher costs for all food, FAH and FAFH. This research provides policymakers, public health professionals and clinicians with information needed to support healthy eating habits. These findings are particularly relevant to contemporary health and economic concerns that have worsened because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an ultimate challenge affecting all areas of human activity. Higher education had to respond by revealing its potential to adapt to and tackle the negative effects of the crisis so as to keep the quality of academic education and research. This critical situation served as a litmus test for HEIs readiness to face and manage crises. The potential of such experience is considered based on the authors’ experience as well as on a survey including HEI stakeholders and revealing their attitudes and perceptions on their work in the pandemic. Global implications are made about educational opportunities and benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diet quality patterns are associated with a lower incidence of insulin resistance (IR) in adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between two diet quality indices and IR in schoolchildren and to identify the best diet quality index associated with a lower risk of IR. Methods: A total of 854 schoolchildren (8–13 years) were included in a cross-sectional study, who completed a three-day dietary record to assess their diet. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin were also measured, and anthropometric data were collected. Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and adjusted DASH (aDASH) were calculated as diet quality indices. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used, and IR was defined as HOMA-IR > 3.16. Results: The prevalence of IR was 5.5%, and it was higher in girls. The mean HEI-2015 and DASH scores were 59.3 and 23.4, respectively, and boys scored lower in both indices. In girls, having a HEI-2015 score above the 33rd percentile was associated with a lower risk of IR (odds ratio [95% CI]: 0.43 [0.19–0.96], p = 0.020). Conclusion: Greater adherence to a healthy dietary pattern, as assessed by a higher HEI-2015 score, was associated with a lower risk of IR in schoolchildren, especially in girls.

Baia Mare area represents one of the most important mining areas of Romania. Although the mining activities carried out here are currently inactive (since 2012), they generated residual pollution that negatively influences all the environmental factors. The aim of the study is to evaluation of the quality of surface water from the vicinity of the city of Baia Mare, Romania. The surface water samples, collected in two distinct years (2021 and 2022), were analyzed to determine the concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Fe, Mn, and As) in order to establish the degree of contamination and the water quality through heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), heavy metal pollution index (HPI), and water quality index (WQI). The pH and the content of cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K) and anions (HCO3−, SO42−, Cl−) were also determined for complex characterization. The results showed that the water in the area had a high degree of pollution with high concentrations of Cr: 0.165–1.57 mgL−1, Ni: 0.01–0.718 mgL−1, and Cu: 0.036–0.195 mgL−1. The pollution indices showed an average level of heavy metal pollution for the collected surface water samples. The quality index demonstrated that all surface water samples in the study area were unfit for irrigation and drinking due to poor and very poor water quality.

Background Given policy regulations restricting bisphenol A (BPA) in food-related products, and consumer concerns about adverse health effects, newer bisphenols such as bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS) have been developed. Exposure to BPA has been linked to dietary behaviors and poor health outcomes. Objectives We sought to examine how the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and its 13 subgroups, the healthy American diet, the Mediterranean diet, the vegetarian diet, and other dietary quality behaviors are related to BPA and the newer substitutes in a representative sample of US adults. Methods Dietary intakes from the NHANES were used to determine dietary scores. Osmolality-adjusted urinary BPA (n  = 6418) and BPF and BPS (n  = 2520) concentrations were tested for their association with dietary intake in models that adjusted for sociodemographics. Results Compared with low scores, high scores for total HEI and the American, Mediterranean, and vegetarian diets were associated with lower odds of high BPA concentration (OR: 0.65, 0.60, 0.59, and 0.60, respectively). Of the HEI subgroups, lower BPA concentration was associated with high total fruit (OR: 0.61; 99.95% CI: 0.42, 0.89), whole fruit (OR: 0.59; 99.95% CI: 0.41, 0.86), and whole grain (OR: 0.68; 99.95% CI: 0.40, 0.94) intake, when compared with low intakes. Compared with low intakes, high intakes of plain and tap water were associated with lower odds of high BPA concentration (OR: 0.65; 99.95% CI: 0.47, 0.91 and OR: 0.70; 99.95% CI: 0.50, 0.99, respectively). A perception of high, compared with low, dietary quality was also associated with lower odds of high BPA concentration (OR: 0.72; 99.95% CI: 0.53, 0.98). Conclusions Healthier dietary quality and several HEI subgroups were related to lower urinary BPA concentrations; no significant (P  ≤ 0.0005) findings were observed for BPF and BPS. The association between bisphenol substitutes and dietary quality should continue to be monitored as bisphenol substitutes continue to increase in the food system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Dilemas Contemporáneos: Educación, Política y Valores is the property of Dilemas Contemporaneos: Educacion, Politica y Valores and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Entrepreneurship; Education / Przedsiebiorczość - Edukacja is the property of Press of Pedagogical University of Cracow and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose – The study aimed to evaluate how different Brazilian generational cohorts that have a direct relationship with the State University of Rio Grande do Sul (Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul – UERGS) perceive the brand positioning of the university. Design/methodology/approach – A multi-method study with a qualitative and quantitative approach was performed using a sample of 273 individuals formed of students and staff of UERGS (professors, administrative staff and technicians, and managers). Findings – The results of the research suggest that there is a difference in the perception of the brand positioning of UERGS between individuals of different generational cohorts. The Individualism cohort demonstrated the most negative perception of the positioning among the cohorts tested; the Post 1992 cohort perceived the positioning more negatively than the Lost Decade cohort; the Lost Decade cohort is the one with the most positive perception of the positioning among the cohorts tested. Originality/value – The research evaluated in an unprecedented way if there are differences in the perception of the brand positioning of a HEI among the generational cohorts. The results contribute to the discussion of the characteristics of generational cohorts in Brazil and the impact that the generational differences may have on perceptions of brand positioning.

Creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students regardless of their sexual orientations is especially important. This descriptive study determined the extent of sexual orientations, level of self-esteem and problems of 664 randomly selected senior college students of a certain state university in the Philippines. The online Epstein Sexual Orientation Inventory (Epstein, McKinney, Fox, & Garcia, 2012), Rosenberg (1989) Self-esteem scale, and Mooney (in Tian & Heppner, 2018) Problem Check Lists were employed in the study. The findings revealed that of 664 college students, 56 % were “straight,” 38 % were “bisexual,” 6 % were “homosexual”; of 300 males, 57 % were “straights”, 33% were “bisexuals”, and 9% were “gays”; of 364 females, 55% were straights, 42% were “bisexuals”, and 4% were “lesbians”. They had “high” self-esteem regardless of their sexual orientations; male-bisexuals had significantly better self-esteem than male-gays. Generally, they need concentration in studying academics and enough rest, worried about how to get a job after graduation and economic condition of their parents, personal financial needs, social leadership qualities, and spiritual assurance. However, gays and lesbians need more freedom and most obsessed with emotional and sexual life. Thus, higher education institutions should provide to all students a wholesome and supportive learning environment responsive to students’ individual needs and well-being regardless of sexual orientations.

To ensure and strengthen the development of high-tech R&D and its industrial applications in the long-term perspective, information and communication technologies (ICT) cooperation tools with national and international institutions, network associations and firms are of great importance. To solve this problem, a joint systematic and coordinated work to develop institutions that can provide crucial support to innovation process is crucial. For these purposes, higher educational institutions (HEI) innovation activities information and communication support and technological development analysis are critically important. The purpose of this study is to analyze the existing ICT toolkit, which is used to manage R&D and various industrial applications, and to develop a conceptual framework for the implementation of these tools for the participation of universities in innovation networks. To answer this question, authors begin by taking a closer look at the new role of universities in the development of knowledge generation in a global environment, as well as problems and tendencies under conditions of postindustrial society. The new role of universities in knowledge generation in the global environment development, and problems and tendencies under the conditions of postindustrial society were outlined. Modern ICT components, which are necessary for universities to participate in the innovation networks, were analyzed. Some cases of foreign experience in the scientific and innovation networks of current prototypes of Industry 4.0 development were discussed, and the possibilities of its adaptation to national innovation system formation conditions in Ukraine were identified. By theoretical and empirical examining, the authors propose more complete understanding of modern ICT components, which are necessary for universities to participate in innovation networks. Cases of foreign experience in the scientific and innovation networks of current prototypes of Industry 4.0 development were investigated. Moreover, the evidence from this study suggests a variety of factors related to the possibilities to adapt ICT tools to national innovation system formation in Ukraine.

Background: Diseases and disorders related to mental health are spreading like other chronic diseases all around the world. Considering the role of food in the prevention and treatment of these disorders, including major depression, investigating the relationship between different food patterns and this disorder is of particular importance. The aim of this study was to compare Dutch healthy eating and healthy eating indexes and anthropometry in patients with major depression with healthy individuals., Methods: In this case-control study, the final analysis was performed on 67 men and 111 women with an age range of 20-30 years. Height (cm), weight (kg), food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), physical activity (MET-min/week), demographic and PHQ-9 questionnaires were taken from all participants. In the following, all the food ingredients and their components were extracted and used to calculate HEI-2015 and DHD. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software with independent t -test, logistic regression and chi-square., Results: It was found that people with major depression in this study were mostly women and occupied. The average HEI-2015 in healthy people and those with major depression was 58 and 54.3, respectively. Also, the average DHD in these people was 60.5 and 55, respectively. HEI-2015 and DHD had a significant negative correlation with depression score ( r = -0.16, p -value = 0.03) ( r = -0.19, p -value = 0.01). Also, in the logistic regression model, before and even after adjusting confounders, HEI-2015 and DHD had a reduced odds ratio in people suffering from major depression. The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of the average factors of height, weight and body mass index (BMI)., Conclusion: It seems that HEI2015 and DHD have a significant relationship in reducing major depression. However, due to the small number of studies in this regard, especially in the field of DHD, the need for more studies seems necessary., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Tohidi Nafe, Movahedi and Djazayery.)

Background: Hearing loss, a public health issue in older populations, is closely related to functional decline., Objective: To investigate the longitudinal associations between 4 dietary indices and hearing status., Methods: Data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging were used and included 882 participants ≥45 y of age. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and 4 dietary scores (Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet [MIND], Mediterranean style diet score [MDS], Alternative Healthy Eating Index [AHEI], and Healthy Eating Index [HEI]) were calculated as averages over time. Hearing status was examined using pure-tone audiometry, and pure-tone average (PTA) of hearing thresholds were calculated at speech-level (PTA (500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz) ), low (PTA (500, 1000 Hz) ), and high (PTA (4000, 8000 Hz) ) frequencies, with lower thresholds indicating better hearing. Multivariable linear mixed-effect models were used to examine associations between dietary indices and hearing threshold change over time adjusted for confounders., Results: At baseline, the mean age of participants was 67 y and 55% were female. Over a median of 8 y of follow-up, MDS ≥7 was associated with 3.5 (95% CI: -6.5, -0.4) and 5.0 (95% CI: -9.1, -1.0) dB lower PTA (500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz) and PTA (4000, 8000 Hz) , respectively, compared with MDS ≤3; the highest tertile of the AHEI was associated with 2.3 (95% CI: -4.6, -0.1) and 5.0 (95% CI: -8.0, -2.0) dB lower PTA (500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz) and PTA (4000, 8000 Hz) ; and each standard deviation increment in HEI was associated with 1.6 dB (95% CI: -2.7, -0.6), 1.1 dB (95% CI: -2.1, -0.1), and 2.1 dB (95% CI: -3.5, -0.6) lower PTA (500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz) , PTA (500, 1000 Hz) , and PTA (4000, 8000 Hz) , respectively., Conclusions: Adherence to healthy dietary patterns was associated with better hearing status, with stronger associations at high frequencies. Am J Clin Nutr 20xx;x:xx., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Nutrition. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The average American household's diet and food purchasing patterns are out of sync with federal recommendations. Researchers have connected this with the large and growing rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related ailments in the U.S. Restaurant food has been discussed a potential contributor to unhealthful diets, as it is often calorically dense. We investigate the association between household access to restaurants and diet quality using USDA FoodAPS data and NPD ReCount data., Methods: We define radii around households to measure restaurant outlet counts and apply a regression analysis incorporating household characteristics., Results: We find that neither restaurant counts nor openings share many statistically or economically significant associations with average dietary quality. Household characteristics and demographics are far more powerful in explaining variation in diet quality., Discussion: Our findings align with the large and growing body of empirical research that suggests that personal preferences and other household characteristics are more important than the food environment in explaining food choices and diet quality. Given the extant research on the importance of access to large supermarkets, our results suggest that access to food retailers is more important in explaining diet quality than access to restaurants., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Volpe, Cai, Tseng and Sinclair.)

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Higher education institutions (HEIs) need to understand their alumni when drawing strategic relationship programmes. This paper aims to identify clusters of alumni based on their commitment relationship and to analyse factors influencing their intention to collaborate with the HEI. The study took place at a Portuguese university, considering a dataset of 1075 of alumni asserting intention to collaborate. First, a cluster analysis was conducted to identify patterns of commitment relationship. Secondly, a logistic regression was run to identify determinants of intention to collaborate. Both techniques revealed the decisive role of HEI commitment in the process. Relationship advantages and positive feelings towards the HEI were also pointed out as important. Alumni asserted recommendations, further training, sharing experiences and giving help as ways to collaborate with HEI. Regression results suggest that sociodemographic variables such as gender, marital status and volunteering are significantly associated with a probability to collaborate. Results also show that affiliation in sororities/fraternities and participation in extracurricular activities are significantly associated with that collaborative intention. The findings provide clues to support strategic relationship programmes based on consistent marketing campaigns, while bringing value to the literature in the European context, where alumni culture requires real insights to evolve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mother to child transmission of HIV (MTCT) is a global challenge affecting many countries especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2009 about 370,000 infants were infected with HIV mainly through MTCT and most of them in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of Option B+ compared to other options in reducing rates of early MTCT of HIV infections in Zambia.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study based on routinely collected data using SmartCare in Zambia. Survival analysis with Cox Proportional Hazard regression was used to determine association between MTCT and regimen type of mothers. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curves were used to compare MTCT for infants born to mothers option B+ to those on other options, and Wilcoxon (Breslow) test was used to establish statistical significance.Results: Overall (n = 1,444), mother-baby pairs with complete data were included in the analysis, with the median age of mothers being 33 (28–38) years; and 57% of these women were on Option B+. MTCT rate was estimated at 5% (73/1,444) [P = 0.025]. A Kaplan-Meier estimate showed that HIV Exposed Infants (HEI) of mothers on Option B+ had lower MTCT rate than those who were on other MTCT prevention interventions [Wilcoxon test; chi2 = 4.97; P = 0.025]. Furthermore, The Nelson Aalen cumulative hazard estimates indicated similar evidence of option B+ being more effective than other options with some statistical significance [HR = 0.63, P = 0.068]. HEI of option B+ mothers had 50% reduced risk of having HIV infection compared to option A/B [adjusted HR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.28–0.84; P = 0.010]. HEI to women who were married had an increased risk 50% of getting infected compared to those not married [adjusted HR = 1.5; 95% CI = 3.43–6.30; P < 0.001]. Exposed infants whose mothers had assisted delivery had 3 times increased risk of getting infected compared to those born through normal vaginal delivery [Adjusted HR = 3.2; 95% CI = 0.98–10.21; P = 0.050].Conclusions: The use of Option B+ as PMTCT intervention was found to be more effective in reducing MTCT of HIV compared to other options. Scaling up access to life-long ART and improving retention for women on treatment can potentially reduce further vertical transmission.

The higher education in Brazil presented an accelerated growth starting from the end of the decade of 1990, when the Law about Diretrizes e Bases da Educação (LDB) (Law of Guidelines and Bases of the Education) of 1999 made possible that the deprived initiative entered in that sector. The accelerated growth of the number of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) took for a larger concern with the formalization of the strategic administration in those IES. In that context the objective of that study is to identify how it happens the process of strategic administration inside the IES from Ceará. At present, the private Institutions of Higher education called (IES) act more than 88% of Brazilian colleges. Was held un a research of qualitative nature that used the interview as collection instrument. The subjects were the managers of five located universities in the municipal district of Fortaleza (CE). The obtained results demonstrate that one of the main motivations for the adoption of the process was the increase of the competitiveness, besides detaching the technology as allied in practically all of the phases and the resistance culture to the change as one of the barriers for the success of the process. It was still possible to verify that the process involves all the organization, from the high administration, with the planning until the operational level with the implementation.

This study examined the nutritional quality of shopping trips at non-traditional retailers by SNAP-authorization status. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey data on 1,841 US households with 3,968 shopping trips. Results indicate the relationship between SNAP retailer authorization and the nutritional quality of non-traditional retailer shopping trips varies with income and SNAP participation. Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) scores were 3.40 points higher for higher-income households' shopping trips at SNAP-authorized versus unauthorized retailers. In contrast, HEI-2010 scores did not vary significantly with SNAP retailer authorization for SNAP participants and income-eligible non-participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]