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While there is a substantial body of leaving care research, the theorization of care leaving has been more limited. Only a few studies have incorporated a life course perspective, mainly in Global North contexts where life course perspectives may differ significantly from those in the Global South, including Africa. Drawing on findings from a feasibility research study, this paper contributes to the emerging international literature on theorizing care leaving by applying a life course perspective to the experiences of youth leaving care in four African countries. The paper highlights how life course can be a useful conceptual framework for understanding the experiences of care leavers with an emphasis on four core concepts: biography, linked lives, waithood, and agency. Implications for policy and practice are outlined with a focus on interdependence, participatory practice, biography, and cultural transition planning alongside efforts to redress systemic, oppressive barriers facing care leavers in society.

This practice report outlines the application of culture change methodology to co-design a whole-of-university health and wellbeing strategy. We outline considerations that necessitate a change in the way higher education contributes to student and staff mental health and wellbeing. We provide an overview of an Appreciative Inquiry culture change methodology; a map of the process followed; the benefits of applying Appreciative Inquiry principles; and a description of outcomes, which include funding for a new health and wellbeing strategy implementation team. We argue that by co-designing a strategy, with representatives of the whole system taking a strengths-based perspective, we enabled self-determined change. We also argue that the process of co-designing and co-developing a strategy can be a wellbeing intervention in and of itself.

In this paper, we introduce the concept of a ``von Neumann regular $\mathcal{C}^{\infty}$-ring", which is a model for a specific equational theory. We delve into the characteristics of these rings and demonstrate that each Boolean space can be effectively represented as the image of a von Neumann regular $\mathcal{C}^{\infty}$-ring through a specific functor. Additionally, we establish that every homomorphism between Boolean algebras can be expressed through a $\mathcal{C}^{\infty}$-ring homomorphism between von Neumann regular $\mathcal{C}^{\infty}$-rings.

Abstract In this work, a multivariate analysis was carried out, using a Plackett–Burman (PB) design involving seventeen growth parameters, on carotenoids production of Pavlova gyrans (p

In this manuscript, we propose an innovative approach to studying consumers’ preferences for coffee, which integrates a choice experiment with consumer sensory tests and chemical analyses (caffeine contents obtained through a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method). The same choice experiment is administered on two consecutive occasions, i.e., before and after the guided tasting session, to analyze the role of tasting and awareness about coffee composition in the consumers’ preferences. To this end, a Bayesian optimal design, based on a compound design criterion, is applied in order to build the choice experiment; the compound criterion allows for addressing two main issues related to the efficient estimation of the attributes and the evaluation of the sensorial part, e.g., the HPLC effects and the scores obtained through the consumer sensory test. All these elements, e.g., the attributes involved in the choice experiment, the scores obtained for each coffee through the sensory tests, and the HPLC quantitative evaluation of caffeine, are analyzed through suitable Random Utility Models. The initial results are promising, confirming the validity of the proposed approach.

Abstract Background The innate immunity acts during the early phases of infection and its failure in response to a multilayer network of co-infections is cause of immune system dysregulation. Epidemiological SARS-CoV-2 infections data, show that Influenza Virus (FLU-A-B-C) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are co-habiting those respiratory traits. These viruses, especially in children (mostly affected by ‘multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children’ [MIS-C] and the winter pandemic FLU), in the aged population, and in ‘fragile’ patients are causing alteration in immune response. Then, bacterial and fungal pathogens are also co-habiting the upper respiratory traits (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans), thus contributing to morbidity in those COVID-19 affected patients. Methods Liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry using the quadrupole orbital ion trap analyser (i.e., UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was adopted to measure the polyphenols content of a new nutraceutical formula (Solution-3). Viral infections with SARS-CoV-2 (EG.5), FLU-A and RSV-A viruses (as performed in BLS3 authorised laboratory) and real time RT-PCR (qPCR) assay were used to test the antiviral action of the nutraceutical formula. Dilution susceptibility tests have been used to estimate the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration (MIC and MBC, respectively) of Solution-3 on a variety of microorganisms belonging to Gram positive/ negative bacteria and fungi. Transcriptomic data analyses and functional genomics (i.e., RNAseq and data mining), coupled to qPCR and ELISA assays have been used to investigate the mechanisms of action of the nutraceutical formula on those processes involved in innate immune response. Results Here, we have tested the combination of natural products containing higher amounts of polyphenols (i.e., propolis, Verbascum thapsus L., and Thymus vulgaris L.), together with the inorganic long chain polyphosphates ‘polyPs’ with antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal behaviours, against SARS-CoV-2, FLU-A, RSV-A, Gram positive/ negative bacteria and fungi (i.e., Candida albicans). These components synergistically exert an immunomodulatory action by enhancing those processes involved in innate immune response (e.g., cytokines: IFNγ, TNFα, IL-10, IL-6/12; chemokines: CXCL1; antimicrobial peptides: HBD-2, LL-37; complement system: C3). Conclusion The prophylactic antimicrobial success of this nutraceutical formula against SARS-CoV-2, FLU-A and RSV-A viruses, together with the common bacteria and fungi co-infections as present in human oral cavity, is expected to be valuable.

In this paper, we comprehensively report on an efficient approach for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) processing pipelines in camera traps for smart on-site wildlife monitoring. Our work covers hardware, software, and algorithmics. We have built two prototypes of smart camera trap on a maximum bill of materials of 100$. We have also built two datasets, made publicly available, comprising over 17 k images, many of them notably challenging even for humans. Leveraging our broad expertise on embedded systems, specialized software libraries and toolchains, and AI techniques such as transfer learning, explainable AI, and, most importantly, continual learning, we achieve more reliable inference on-site - specifically 10 % higher F1-score - than MegaDetector run off-site on a desktop computer. The paper includes many practical details on system realization and on-site training in addition to a vast set of lab and experimental results.

Tendo como método a pesquisa bibliográfica e como técnica, a análise do discurso, nesta investigação analisou-se a Identidade Organizacional (IO) da Antiga e Mística Ordem Rosae Crucis – AMORC, a partir de fontes primárias, tais como: publicações e websites. A análise procurou identificar as dimensões mito-simbólica, sociopolítica e ético-filosófica no discurso institucional da Ordem. Como resultados observou-se coesão no discurso das lideranças internacionais, ao longo dos anos. No discurso local das Grandes Lojas, entretanto, observou-se uma tendência à coesão na dimensão mito-simbólica e sociopolítica, e tendência à dispersão na dimensão ético-filosófica.

Increasing evidence suggests that alterations in the gut microbiome (GM) play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pediatric food allergy (FA). This scoping review analyzes the current evidence on GM features associated with pediatric FAs and highlights the importance of the GM as a potential target of intervention for preventing and treating this common condition in the pediatric age. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, we searched PubMed and Embase using the keywords (gut microbiome OR dysbiosis OR gut microbiota OR microbiome signatures) AND (food allergy OR IgE-mediated food allergy OR food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis OR food protein-induced enterocolitis OR non-IgE food allergy OR cow milk allergy OR hen egg allergy OR peanut allergy OR fish allergy OR shellfish allergy OR tree nut allergy OR soy allergy OR wheat allergy OR rice allergy OR food sensitization). We included 34 studies reporting alterations in the GM in children affected by FA compared with healthy controls. The GM in pediatric FAs is characterized by a higher abundance of harmful microorganisms (e.g., Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridium sensu stricto, Ruminococcus gnavus, and Blautia spp.) and lower abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Bifidobacteriaceae, Lactobacillaceae, some Bacteroides species). Moreover, we provide an overview of the mechanisms of action elicited by these bacterial species in regulating immune tolerance and of the main environmental factors that can modulate the composition and function of the GM in early life. Altogether, these data improve our knowledge of the pathogenesis of FA and can open the way to innovative diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies for managing these conditions.

Patients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) often experience difficulties in psychosocial functioning, which reduces the ability of individuals to engage socially. This review seeks to determine whether atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) are more effective than placebo at alleviating these difficulties in adults with a diagnosis of BPD.We identified six Randomized Control Trials, conducted between 1994 and 2024, with 1012 patients that were treated with either: Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Ziprasidone or Aripiprazole. Using a meta-analysis, we found evidence that atypical antipsychotics induce a small improvement treating psychosocial functioning in patients with a diagnosis of border line personality. In particular, AAPs improved General Assessment of Functioning (GAF) more than placebo. Combining GAFs P-values from several studies indicated this effect was significant. AAPs were also superior to placebo at improving quality of interpersonal relationships, occupational functioning and family life. There was a positive improvement tendency in social life and leisure activities. AAPs also induced known secondary effects like weight gain and sedation as previously described.AAPs were beneficial for improving general functioning and its subcomponents. However, the magnitude of the benefit above that of placebo was small and its clinical meaningfulness is thus debatable. More randomised-controlled trials are required.

Multiple benefits have been attributed to self-assessment and its ability to help develop evaluative judgement among learners. However, student and staff perceptions and what to expect throughout the self-assessment process deserves further scrutiny, particularly at the postgraduate level. To understand how students engage with self-assessment as a new skill, this study examined the experiential observations among postgraduate students and the teaching staff who implemented a self-assessment intervention designed to improve assessment and feedback procedures. Students were invited to self-assess their own written assignments prior to submission. Markers subsequently graded the work, and to provide a useful comparison, incorporated comments regarding the students' own self-assessment within the feedback. Students from two postgraduate units subsequently completed an online survey (n = 42) describing their impressions and insights regarding the self-assessment process. To expand upon survey findings, six (n = 6) were randomly selected to participate in in-depths interviews. Teaching staff were invited to participate in separate interviews (n = 5). Self-assessment triggered critical thinking and reflection among students and staff alike in different and specific ways. Inductive thematic analysis identified key domains relevant to both cohorts with multiple sub-themes. These related to (a) the ways self-assessment challenged habitual approaches to assessment tasks, (b) the capacity for providing and receiving increasingly meaningful feedback and (c) the need for initial teaching support and resources for ongoing guidance. Educators considering embedding self-assessment will find insights arising from the results useful for unit planning and future assessment design.

Here, we explored the vast potential of microbiome-based interventions in preventing and managing non-communicable diseases including obesity, diabetes, allergies, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, malnutrition, and cardiovascular diseases across different life stages. We discuss the intricate relationship between microbiome and non-communicable diseases, emphasizing on the “window of opportunity” for microbe–host interactions during the first years after birth. Specific biotics and also live biotherapeutics including fecal microbiota transplantation emerge as pivotal tools for precision medicine, acknowledging the “one size doesn’t’ fit all” aspect. Challenges in implementation underscore the need for advanced technologies, scientific transparency, and public engagement. Future perspectives advocate for understanding maternal−neonatal microbiome, exploring the maternal exposome and delving into human milk's role in the establishment and restoration of the infant microbiome and its influence over health and disease. An integrated scientific approach, employing multi-omics and accounting for inter-individual variance in microbiome composition and function appears central to unleash the full potential of early-life microbiome interventions in revolutionizing healthcare.

This work presents the intelligent tutoring system, EvoLogic, developed to assist students in problems of natural production in propositional logic. EvoLogic has been modeled as a multiagent system composed of three autonomous agents: interface, pedagogical and specialist agents. It supports pedagogical strategies inspired by the theory of example-based learning based on the use of an automated model tracing mechanism. This mechanism eliminates the necessity of the teacher to manually design every possible interaction between students and EvoLogic. It also includes several examples for each propositional rule. A specific study carried out with a set of 10 exercises taken from a real-world scenario is then presented to evaluate EvoLogic's performance and compare it to that of an earlier ITS (Heráclito) developed for the same purpose. The study showed that EvoLogic was able to provide different (and correct) solutions for the exercises analyzed. By having these solutions available, the model tracing mechanism was able to follow the students' steps, providing help that was consistent with the line of reasoning pursued by each student. A direct comparison between EvoLogic and Heráclito, which operates using one single line of reasoning for each theorem proof, showed that the model tracing mechanism of EvoLogic was more accurate in guiding students in the exercises. In addition to this positive outcome, EvoLogic's model tracing mechanism is novel in its use of genetic algorithms to build solutions on the fly for propositional logic exercises started by the students.

The theory of elasticity allows describing the law of variation of shear stresses Τzy and Tzx for a beam of rectangular cross-section, however, the expressions are extensive and complex. For beams with a width/depth ratio equal to 0.25, it is allowed to calculate approximately the maximum shear stress Tzy, with the Collignon-Zhuravski equation. Depending on the width/depth ratio of the beam, it will depend on the percentage of error made. Unfortunately, for the shear stress Tzx there is no approximate formula available to determine the value of the shear stress. Using a simplified procedure, a differential beam element was analyzed in the elastic field for different width/depth ratios and a very simple expression was obtained. The results of the approximate formula were compared with the values obtained from the application of the exact formula and the results of a linear numerical analysis using the finite element method. For cross-sections of homogeneous beams and composite beams of considerable width, it is essential to determine the horizontal shear stresses Tzx in particular in the case of vertical planks, arranged side by side, connected solidly by horizontally arranged mechanical connectors, since the shear stresses Tzx developed across the width of the cross-section may considerably exceed the vertical shear stresses Tzy and furthermore govern the pattern, spacing and cross-section of the mechanical connectors. The validity of the approximate expression for calculating the maximum value of the shear stress Tzx was limited to beams with a width/depth ratio between 0.25 and 10.0.

Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is one of the most common presentations of food allergy in early childhood. Management of CMA involves individualized avoidance of cow's milk and other mammalian milk and foods containing these. Optimal elimination of cow's milk avoidance includes: label reading; information about safe and nutritious substitute foods; appropriate choice of infant formula or a plant-based food; establishing tolerance to baked milk and monitoring nutritional intake and growth. Substitute formulas are divided into soy formula (not hydrolyzed), milk-based extensively hydrolyzed formulas, rice based extensive, and partially hydrolyzed formulas and amino acid-based formulas. The use of other mammalian milks is not recommended for the management of cow's milk allergy due to a high level of cross-reactivity and nutritional concerns. For toddlers who are eating well, children, and adults, a suitable plant-based beverage may be a suitable alternative to a specialized formula, following careful nutritional considerations. Families need to be instructed on finding suitable nutritious foods and how to prepare suitable meals at home. Individuals with CMA also need to know how to identify and treat acute severe reactions.

Background: Updated epidemiologic data are important for defining effective public health strategies for pediatric food allergy (FA). Objective: The Epidemiology of Paediatric Italian Food Allergy (EPIFA) study was designed to investigate the epidemiology of pediatric FA in one of the most heavily populated Italian regions. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed in collaboration with family pediatricians aimed at investigating the epidemiology of Italian pediatric FA during 2009 to 2021. Family pediatricians in the Campania region were invited to use the Google Forms platform for online compilation of data forms. Data forms were reviewed by experienced pediatric allergists at the coordinating center. Results: A total population of 105,151 subjects (aged 0-14 years) was screened during the study period. Data from 752 FA patients were evaluated. A progressive increase in FA incidence and prevalence was observed from 2009 to 2021, with a relative increase up to 34% and 113.6%, respectively, at the end of study period. The relative increase in FA prevalence was higher in the 0-3-year-old age group in the same study period (+120.8%). The most frequent allergens were cow’s milk, hen’s egg, and nuts. Conclusion: The results of the EPIFA study showed an increase in pediatric FA incidence and prevalence from 2009 to 2021 in Italy. These results underline the necessity of new effective strategies for preventing and managing these conditions.

A proposta desse dossiê toma como mote de problematização a discussão de políticas e práticas curriculares desenvolvidas em diferentes contextos nacionais e internacionais e que vem movimentando a produção curricular na incessante tentativa de controle dos sentidos produzidos para a educação básica e a formação de professores, com a retomada de perspectivas de centralização curricular e estreitamento da concepção de currículo alinhado a ideia de uma unidade fixada apresentada num modelo único que incorre na perspectiva de um caráter normativo/normalizante.