Search

Automated recognition of patterns in an ECG signal quintessentially requires removal of noises, such as Baseline wander (BLW), breathing activity, poor quality of electrodes and current flowing in the cables of the acquisition system, during its pre-processing for improving the signal quality to enable the identification of various physiological and pathological phenomena from it. In the literature, it has been well established that statistical domain technique viz. ICA (independent component analysis) surpasses the performance of even higher order filters in removing interferences by calculating independent components with much less computational/mathematical complexity and loss of information. Thus, it will result in higher signal-to-noise-ratios (SNRs) mitigating masking effects of various interferences. On the other hand, LDA (linear discriminant analysis) minimizes the variance and maximizes the distance between any two data-classes while detecting/classifying them resulting in very less false detections. Therefore in this paper, ICA and LDA are proposed to be used combinedly for pre-processing and classification of an ECG signal, respectively. Hence, important latent attributes of the ECG signal are retained with maximally statistically independent criteria using ICA and effective classification/detection is accomplished by cutting down the dimensional costs using LDA. The performance of ICA in ECG signal pre-processing is further compared with that obtained using ANF (adaptive notch filter) to further demonstrate its superiority. The proposed technique is able to achieve sensitivity (Se), detection error rate (DER) and output SNR of 99.92%, 0.122% and 37.77dB, respectively on Massachusetts Institute of Technology- Beth Israel Hospital Arrhythmia database (MB ARR DB). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper nutrition during the first period of life is primarily related to meeting energy needs and providing essential nutrients that ensure the infant's normal physical and psychomotor development. Improper nutrition during this period, inadequate amounts of nutrients, inappropriate timing and manner of introduction of individual foods, can permanently alter metabolism and the course of physiological processes, increasing the risk of diseases such as obesity, allergic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to verify how the method of complementary feeding influences the occurrence of food neophobia between 2 and 7 years of age, as well as to assess the different nutritional aspects resulting from the process of starting feeding other than breast milk and milk formula. In this study, 490 mothers and their children aged 2–7 years participated. The research tool was a questionnaire consisting of a child's dietary assessment and standardized questionnaires assessing food neophobia among children: Food Neophobia Scale for Children (FNSC) and the Montreal Children's Hospital-Pediatric Feeding (MCH-FS). In the study group of children, 238 (48.57%) had no Baby-Led Weaning Method (no BLW) method used during complementary feeding (CF), and 252 (51.42%) children used Baby-Led Weaning Method (BLW). According to the FNSC questionnaire, a high risk of food neophobia was found in 32.65% of the children studied and a medium risk in 39.80%. The medium risk of feeding problem occured in 11.63% of children, the high risk in 6.73% of children, and the highest risk in 6.94% (MCH-FS). No statistically significant differences were observed between the BLW and NoBLW groups. High risk of food neophobia occured in 1/3 of the children studied, but there was no relationship in the study group between the mode of CF (BLW/NoBLW) and the risk of food neophobia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food neophobia is an aversion to eating or a reluctance to try unfamiliar or new foods. From an evolutionary perspective, this behaviour may minimise the risk of consuming foods that are harmful to health. However, such aversion causes food monotony, which may result in nutritional deficiencies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of feeding problems among Polish children aged 2–7 years using the Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding Scale and to investigate the correlation between age, gender, mode of feeding in infancy, including complementary feeding, and the prevalence of feeding difficulties in the study group of children. Material and method: The study group consisted of 585 children: 299 boys (51.11%) and 286 girls (48.89%). The study was conducted using a questionnaire-based method, with an indirect survey technique using a web-based form (CAWI). The research tool used was the Montreal Children's Hospital-Pediatric Feeding Program. Results: Groups with the lowest risk feeding problems, risk 0, comprised 445 children (76.06%); group 1, middle difficulties, 59 children (10.08%); group 2, moderate difficulties, 40 children (6.84%); and group 3, most difficulties, 40 children (7.01%). The mean MCH-FS score for the entire study group was calculated and was 37.29 points ± 12.02; for 2 year olds, 35.69 points; for 3 year olds, 37.41 points; for 4 year olds, 38.31 points; for 5 year olds, 38.46 points; for 6 year olds, 37.95 points; and for 7 year olds, 36.06 points. The mean value of the MCH-FS scale for girls was 37.44 points, and for boys, 37.32 points. None of the above parameters correlated with the risk of feeding problems, including age, except with a non-significative tendency to be higher in the youngest age. Conclusion: Breast milk feeding and the time of complementary feeding (CF) in the study group did not influence the risk of feeding problems. Using the full BLW method during CF can protect the child against the occurrence of feeding problems such a food selectivity or picky eating in the future. In our study, children with difficulties during CF, mainly the vomiting reflex, were more likely to develop feeding problems such as food neophobia. Based on our study, we did not observe a correlation between age, gender, and the occurrence of feeding problems, and there was only a non-significant tendency to be higher in the youngest age. However, further research needs to be undertaken to assess how such behaviour affects subsequent feeding difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper nutrition during the first period of life is primarily related to meeting energy needs and providing essential nutrients that ensure the infant’s normal physical and psychomotor development. Improper nutrition during this period, inadequate amounts of nutrients, inappropriate timing and manner of introduction of individual foods, can permanently alter metabolism and the course of physiological processes, increasing the risk of diseases such as obesity, allergic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to verify how the method of complementary feeding influences the occurrence of food neophobia between 2 and 7 years of age, as well as to assess the different nutritional aspects resulting from the process of starting feeding other than breast milk and milk formula. In this study, 490 mothers and their children aged 2–7 years participated. The research tool was a questionnaire consisting of a child’s dietary assessment and standardized questionnaires assessing food neophobia among children: Food Neophobia Scale for Children (FNSC) and the Montreal Children’s Hospital-Pediatric Feeding (MCH-FS). In the study group of children, 238 (48.57%) had no Baby-Led Weaning Method (no BLW) method used during complementary feeding (CF), and 252 (51.42%) children used Baby-Led Weaning Method (BLW). According to the FNSC questionnaire, a high risk of food neophobia was found in 32.65% of the children studied and a medium risk in 39.80%. The medium risk of feeding problem occured in 11.63% of children, the high risk in 6.73% of children, and the highest risk in 6.94% (MCH-FS). No statistically significant differences were observed between the BLW and NoBLW groups. High risk of food neophobia occured in 1/3 of the children studied, but there was no relationship in the study group between the mode of CF (BLW/NoBLW) and the risk of food neophobia.

There are two main complementary feeding (CF) approaches: traditional spoon-feeding (TSF) and baby-led weaning (BLW). Many parents and healthcare professionals have concerns about the risk of choking associated with BLW. Since asphyxia is one of infants' main causes of death, this study aims to understand the influence of the CF approach adopted by caregivers on infants' risk of choking. A systematic review was performed. The search was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. We included randomized controlled trials or observational studies published between January 2010 and November 2023, with a clear definition of the intervention and directly assessing the risk of choking. After the selection procedure, 7 of the 165 studies initially identified were included. No study reported statistically significant differences in the risk of choking between babies following BLW, baby-led introduction to solids (BLISS), and TSF. In five studies, although not statistically significant, infants in the TSF group had more choking episodes than those in the BLW or BLISS groups. The risk of choking does not seem to be associated with the CF approach. Instead, it may be related to the familiarity of the baby with each texture and the parent's understanding of the information about how to minimize the risk of choking. Recall bias may be present in all included studies. Advice on how to modify foods to make them safer needs to be clearer and reinforced to all parents., (© 2024 European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.)

Field experiment was conducted at Field Crops Research unit, ICAR- Central Island Research Institute, Bloomsdale, Port Blair during summer season, 2018. To study the preceding rice herbicide residual effect in control of weeds, growth and yield of urdbean in rice-bhendi-urdbean sequence under high rainfall area. At 20 DAS, grassy weeds (48.00 weeds/m2) were predominant species of weeds followed by sedges and broad leaf weeds of 29.67 and 22.67 nos./m2 respectively. Among the irrespective of weed control treatments, at 20 DAS, residual effect of 1.25 kg/ha butachlor at 3 DAP + manual weeding at 40 DAP in rice + two manual weeding on 20 and 40 DAS in both bhendi and urdbean recorded significantly lower grass, sedges, broad leaf weeds population and weed biomass of 11.67, 8.67, 6.67 weeds/m2 and 2.93, 2.02, 1.84 g/m2 respectively. Residual effect of 1.25 kg/ha butachlor applied at 3 DAP along with manual weeding at 40 DAP in rice + two manual weeding on 20 and 40 DAS in both bhendi and urdbean obtained 299 kg/ha higher seed yield as compared to weedy control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiment was conducted at Field Crops Research unit, ICAR- Central Island Research Institute, Bloomsdale, Port Blair during summer season, 2018. To study the preceding rice herbicide residual effect in control of weeds, growth and yield of urdbean in rice-bhendi-urdbean sequence under high rainfall area. At 20 DAS, grassy weeds (48.00 weeds/m2) were predominant species of weeds followed by sedges and broad leaf weeds of 29.67 and 22.67 nos./m2 respectively. Among the irrespective of weed control treatments, at 20 DAS, residual effect of 1.25 kg/ha butachlor at 3 DAP + manual weeding at 40 DAP in rice + two manual weeding on 20 and 40 DAS in both bhendi and urdbean recorded significantly lower grass, sedges, broad leaf weeds population and weed biomass of 11.67, 8.67, 6.67 weeds/m2 and 2.93, 2.02, 1.84 g/m2 respectively. Residual effect of 1.25 kg/ha butachlor applied at 3 DAP along with manual weeding at 40 DAP in rice + two manual weeding on 20 and 40 DAS in both bhendi and urdbean obtained 299 kg/ha higher seed yield as compared to weedy control.

Background: Infant nutrition is a topic of constant debate between parents and doctors. The recommendations themselves have been modified several times over the past 6 decades. Baby Led Weaning (BLW) method is gaining more and more popularity in infant nutrition during the period of expanding the infant menu. The main aim of the study was to evaluate selected aspects of dietary expansion in a group of their children, taking into account dietary expansion with the use of the traditional method and the BLW method. Material and method: An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2021-January 2022 among a randomly selected sample of 523 mothers of children in infancy aged up to 12 months. Data for the study were collected anonymously using the CAWI method. The information collected from 500 women was considered for the final data analysis taking into account the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: 66.6% of the women surveyed (N=333) stated that their child is or was fed breast milk during the first six months. The child's diet was most often expanded with complementary meals after 6 months of age. This answer was indicated by 58.8% of respondents (N=294). 85.6% of the surveyed women (N=428) first introduced or intend to introduce vegetables to their diet. 13% of the respondents (N=65) introduced or planned to introduce vegetables and fruit at the same time. In the studied group of mothers the BLW method was not known or not used by 7 mothers (1.4%), 343 mothers used or intended to use the BLW method (68.6%), whereas 150 women knew the BLW method (30.0%), but did not use it or did not intend to use it during the expansion of their child's diet. Conclusions: The majority of mothers surveyed used the BLW method during the expansion of their children's diet, accepting the principle that it is the child who decides whether and how much to eat, and the parent who decides what and when the child eats.

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an increasingly popular way of expanding a baby's diet. It is based on the baby becoming physically ready to feed himself, effectively supplementing his diet, which until now has been based on breast milk or modified milk. The aim of the study was to assess mothers' knowledge about the use of the BLW method to expand the diet of a young child. The essence of the study assumed the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of using this method indicated by mothers. Materials and Methods: A total of 320 mothers participated in the study. Data for the study were collected anonymously using the CAWI method. The research tool was the original questionnaire relating to the knowledge about the BLW method and the application of the BLW method in practice. Results: The BLW method was used by 240 (75%) women. The reasons for not using the BLW method were: the child did not cooperate n = 30 (37.5%) and was not ready to use the BLW method n = 20 (25%). In total, 182 (75.8%) mothers using BLW and 63 (78.8%) mothers not using BLW started extending the diet before the child was 6 months old. According to 270 (84.4%) mothers, including 205 (85.4%) using BLW, stable sitting in a highchair/on the lap is a decisive factor for starting the dietary expansion with the BLW method. Conclusions: Mothers' knowledge of the BLW method as a way of expanding a young child's diet was insufficient. It seems important to implement appropriate educational activities on the methods of expanding children's diets to broaden parents' knowledge of the influence of nutrition on infant development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Paediatrics & Family Medicine / Pediatria i Medycyna Rodzinna is the property of Medical Communications Sp. z o.o. 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.)

Proper nutrition during the first period of life is primarily related to meeting energy needs and providing essential nutrients that ensure the infant's normal physical and psychomotor development. Improper nutrition during this period, inadequate amounts of nutrients, inappropriate timing and manner of introduction of individual foods, can permanently alter metabolism and the course of physiological processes, increasing the risk of diseases such as obesity, allergic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to verify how the method of complementary feeding influences the occurrence of food neophobia between 2 and 7 years of age, as well as to assess the different nutritional aspects resulting from the process of starting feeding other than breast milk and milk formula. In this study, 490 mothers and their children aged 2-7 years participated. The research tool was a questionnaire consisting of a child's dietary assessment and standardized questionnaires assessing food neophobia among children: Food Neophobia Scale for Children (FNSC) and the Montreal Children's Hospital-Pediatric Feeding (MCH-FS). In the study group of children, 238 (48.57%) had no Baby-Led Weaning Method (no BLW) method used during complementary feeding (CF), and 252 (51.42%) children used Baby-Led Weaning Method (BLW). According to the FNSC questionnaire, a high risk of food neophobia was found in 32.65% of the children studied and a medium risk in 39.80%. The medium risk of feeding problem occured in 11.63% of children, the high risk in 6.73% of children, and the highest risk in 6.94% (MCH-FS). No statistically significant differences were observed between the BLW and NoBLW groups. High risk of food neophobia occured in 1/3 of the children studied, but there was no relationship in the study group between the mode of CF (BLW/NoBLW) and the risk of food neophobia.

Abstract: When baby‐led weaning (BLW) first emerged as a concept, in the early 2000s, it was seen as a new and different approach to complementary feeding, a challenge to the accepted way of doing things – which indeed it was. Since then, there has been a gradual reassessment of the perceived wisdom that guides how complementary feeding is approached, with the result that many of the features of BLW are now reflected in mainstream thinking. The publication of the report of the UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, Feeding in the First Year of Life, which summarises and evaluates the existing evidence base for infant feeding as a benchmark for UK guidelines, provides a useful opportunity to look at how well the baby‐led approach fits with current evidence and which aspects of the introduction of solid foods remain to be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate and balanced nutrition is essential to promote optimal child growth and a long and healthy life. After breastfeeding, the second step is the introduction of complementary feeding (CF), a process that typically covers the period from 6 to 24 months of age. This process is, however, still highly controversial, as it is heavily influenced by socio-cultural choices, as well as by the availability of specific local foods, by family traditions, and pediatrician beliefs. The Società Italiana di Pediatria Preventiva e Sociale (SIPPS) together with the Federazione Italiana Medici Pediatri (FIMP), the Società Italiana per lo Sviluppo e le Origine della Salute e delle Malattie (SIDOHaD), and the Società Italiana di Nutrizione Pediatrica (SINUPE) have developed evidence-based recommendations for CF, given the importance of nutrition in the first 1000 days of life in influencing even long-term health outcomes. This paper includes 38 recommendations, all of them strictly evidence-based and overall addressed to developed countries. The recommendations in question cover several topics such as the appropriate age for the introduction of CF, the most appropriate quantitative and qualitative modalities to be chosen, and the relationship between CF and the development of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) later in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to describe which and when food textures are offered to children between 4 and 36 months in France and to identify the associated factors. An online cross-sectional survey was designed, including questions about 188 food texture combinations representing three texture levels: purées (T1), soft small pieces (T2) and hard/large pieces and double textures (T3). Mothers indicated which combinations they already offered to their child. A food texture exposure score (TextExp) was calculated for all of the texture levels combined and for each texture level separately. Associations between TextExp and maternal and child characteristics and feeding practices were explored by multiple linear regressions, per age class. Answers from 2999 mothers living in France, mostly educated and primiparous, were analysed. Over the first year, children were mainly exposed to purées. Soft and small pieces were slowly introduced between 6 and 22 months, whereas hard/large pieces were mainly introduced from 13 months onwards. TextExp was positively associated with children's number of teeth and ability to eat alone with their finger or a fork. For almost all age classes, TextExp was higher in children introduced to complementary feeding earlier, lower for children who were offered only commercial baby foods and higher for those who were offered only home-made/non-specific foods during the second year. Our study shows that until 12 months of age the majority of French children were exposed to pieces to a small extent. It provides new insights to further understand the development of texture acceptance during a key period for the development of eating habits.