Large datasets, combined with modeling techniques, provide a quantitative way to estimate when known archaeological sites will be impacted by climatological changes. With over 4,000 archaeological sites recorded on the coast of Georgia, USA, the state provides an ideal opportunity to compare methods. Here, we compare the popular passive “bathtub” modeling with the dynamic Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) combined with the Marshes Equilibrium Model (MEM). The goal of this effort is to evaluate prior modeling and test the benefits of more detailed ecological modeling in assessing site loss. Our findings indicate that although rough counts of archaeological sites destroyed by sea-level rise (SLR) are similar in all approaches, using the latter two methods provides critical information needed in prioritizing site studies and documentation before irrevocable damages occur. Our results indicate that within the next 80 years, approximately 40% of Georgia's coastal sites will undergo a loss of archaeological context due to wetlands shifting from dry ecological zones to transitional marshlands or submerged estuaries and swamps.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent among people with diabetes(1,2). While identifying modifiable risk factors to prevent a decline in kidney function among those living with diabetes is pivotal, there is limited evidence on dietary risk factors for CKD. In this study we examined the associations between healthy and less healthy plant-based diets (PBDs) and the risk of CKD among those with diabetes, and to identify potential underlying mechanisms.

We conducted a prospective analysis among 7,747 UK Biobank participants with prevalent diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine the associations between healthful and unhealthful plant-based indices (hPDI and uPDI) and the risk of CKD. Fruits, legumes, nuts, tea and coffee, vegetables and whole grains were classified as healthy plant-based foods, whereas fruit juice, potatoes, refined grains, sugary drinks as well as sweets and desserts were classified as unhealthy plant-based foods. Animal-based foods used for the PDIs were grouped into meat, eggs, dairy products, animal fat, seafood or fish, and miscellaneous animal-based foods. Causal mediation analyses were further employed to explore the underlying mechanisms of the observed associations.

Among 7,747 study participants with diabetes, 1,030 developed incident CKD over 10.2 years of follow-up. The mean (SD) age was 58.8 (7.2) years, 6,910 (89.2%) were White, and 3,829 (49.4%) had a BMI over ≥30kg/m2. Higher adherence to a healthy PBD was associated with a 24% lower CKD risk (HRQ4 versus Q1: 0.76 [95%CI: 0.63−0.92], ptrend=0.002), while higher adherence to an unhealthy PBD was associated with a 35% higher risk (HRQ4 versus Q1: 1.35 [95%CI: 1.11-1.65], ptrend=0.006). The observed associations were predominantly mediated by markers of body fatness (proportion mediated: 11-25%) and kidney function (23-89%).

In this prospective cohort study of UK adults with diabetes, adherence to a healthy PBD was associated with lower CKD risk, whereas adherence to an unhealthy PBD was associated with a higher CKD risk. Associations were primarily mediated by markers of lower body fatness and improved kidney function.

Male adolescence (10–19 years), is a critical life-stage for adequate nutrition due to the rapid growth and development that occurs during this period. Additionally, this population sub-group may begin to engage in muscle-building exercises due to socially established body image ideals(1), which fuel their desire to increase protein consumption. Currently, Irish diets are not sustainable, and exceed all planetary boundaries apart from freshwater use(2). Thus, there is a need to incorporate sustainability into Ireland’s food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG). The aim of this study was to develop FBDG for adolescent males to meet their nutritional needs more sustainably, whilst exploring protein intakes.

Commonly consumed foods (≥10% of consumers) and patterns of consumption were identified from secondary analysis of the National Children’s Food Survey II and the National Teens’ Food Survey II(3). Using the Henry equation(4), energy requirements were calculated, informed by actual height and weight data. Following the food consumption patterns and using foods commonly eaten, four-day omnivore meal patterns (including one lacto-ovo-vegetarian day) were developed within energy requirements for males at nine age-points (9y, 10y, 11y, 12y, 13y, 14y, 15y, 16y, 17–18y), covering five UK90 growth percentiles (5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 95th), and four physical activity levels (PAL) (1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0). To improve environmental sustainability, diet modelling reduced current FBDG recommendations on meat and dairy for adolescent males. The nutritional composition of modelled meal patterns was assessed using Nutritics software. Nutritional intakes provided by diet modelling were compared with macronutrient and 13 key micronutrient intake goals. The protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) was used to record the proportion of highquality protein foods contributing to protein intake.

A total of 180 four-day meal patterns were developed in the diet modelling process, which included vitamin D supplementation. Regardless of variations in energy requirements due to body size and PAL, modelled diets met all macronutrient and micronutrient goals (exceeding target intake levels for calcium, Dietary Folate Equivalents, and vitamin C). Inadequate modelled vitamin D provided from foods only (median 4.8µg/day; range 9–11 years 1.7-6.5µg/day; range 12–18 years 1.814.0µg/day) were resolved by existing 10–15µg supplement recommendations(5). Protein intakes (g/kg body weight) were 316% above recommendations, despite the reduction of red meat and dairy in modelled meal patterns. Examination of foods in modelled meal patterns showed that 49– 76% of protein food sources were high-quality (PDCAAS ≥60), and 48–76% of calcium food sources were bioavailable dairy products.

In conclusion, FBDG for male adolescents in Ireland have been developed considering environmental sustainability, whilst keeping nutritional requirements at the forefront. This study shows lower dairy and red meat intakes than currently recommended, combined with extra lactoovo-vegetarian days, provide adolescent males with nutritionally adequate, high protein (quality and quantity) diets.

Overweight/obesity and iron deficiency are highly prevalent, particularly in women of reproductive age (WRA)(1). Both can seriously affect women’s health and cause severe complications in pregnancy(1). Obesity is associated with nutritional deficiencies but its influence on iron deficiency is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the influence of adiposity on the prevalence of iron deficiency in UK women of reproductive age.

Data from NDNS (years 2008-2019) was used including general characteristics, anthropometry, iron biomarkers; haemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of inflammation. WRA aged 18-49 years with BMI ≥18.5kg/m2 were included. Data were categorised as follows: Anaemia: Hb<120 g/L, Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA): Hb<120g/L and ferritin <30 μg/L, Iron Deficiency (ID): ferritin <30 μg/L, Iron Deficiency Without Anaemia (IDWA): Ferritin <30 μg/L and Hb>120 g/L(2). Ferritin was adjusted for CRP (aFerritin)(3). WRA were divided into two adiposity groups: BMI <25 kg/m2 and ≥25 kg/m2, waist circumference (WC) <80cm and ≥80cm, waist-toheight (WHtR) <0.50 and ≥0.50, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)<0.85 and ≥0.85 according to guidelines(4,5). Weighting was applied to account for response differences between the surveys. Chi-square was performed to compare iron deficiency prevalence between adiposity groups and multiple logistic regressions adjusting for relevant covariates to evaluate the associations between adiposity and anaemia, IDA, ID and IDWA. P-value <0.05 considered significant.

n = 1098 WRA were included, n = 496 with normal weight and n = 602 with overweight/obesity (Ow/Ob). The overall anaemia, IDA, ID, and IDWA prevalence was 9.2%, 5.3%, 49.7%, and 42.9% respectively. Anaemia prevalence was greater in those with higher WHtR and WHR (11.9% vs 5.9% and 16.7% vs 6.5% respectively; both p<0.001). Greater IDA prevalence was observed in those with higher WC, WHtR and WHR (8.5% vs 4.3%, p = 0.005; 9.4% vs 3.3%, p<0.001; and 12.1% vs 4.9%, p<0.001). Overall prevalence of ID was 43% using unadjusted ferritin and 49.7% using aFerritin, both with similar prevalence observed between adiposity groups. IDWA prevalence was higher in the low WC compared to the high WC group (46.5% vs 40.1%, p = 0.030), however, no association was found between ID or IDWA with any adiposity group. Logistic regression analyses showed that higher WHtR and WHR predicted anaemia and IDA (anaemia: WHtR aOR 1.74 p = 0.045, WHR aOR 4.05 p<0.001; IDA: WHtR aOR 2.45 p = 0.011, WHR aOR 3.82 p<0.001).

ID prevalence in a representative sample of UK WRA is high, at 43%, with higher rates of 50% observed when ferritin is adjusted for inflammation, indicating the increased sensitivity of aFerritin in ID detection. A greater central adiposity in WRA is a risk factor for IDA. Public health strategies are needed to address the high prevalence of ID in UK WRA, particularly those living with Ow/Ob.

Consumers are increasingly switching to plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDA) for environmental sustainability(1). Dairy products are important sources of protein, calcium, iodine, and vitamin B12 for the Irish population(2), whereas PBDA have variable nutritional composition. The aims of this study were to compare nutritional composition of PBDA marketed in Ireland with dairy counterparts; identify the most nutritionally equivalent plant-based beverage to dairy milk and compare the environmental impact of both.

A survey (online and in-store) of grocery outlets (92% of Irish market share) was conducted in summer 2023. Data collected included labelling information (brand, nutritional content, and organic status) of PBDA products; and micronutrients added to fortified low-fat dairy milks. The PBDA products were compared with the nutritional composition of counterpart dairy products, obtained using CoFID(3) and data collected. Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe; kgCO2eq/100g) and water use (L/100g) in the production of dairy milk and the most nutritionally equivalent plant-based beverages were compared using Foodprint(4). SPSS (version 25) was used for statistical analysis.

Out of 214 PBDA identified, 72% (n153) were alternatives to milk, 14% (n30) to cheese and 14% (n31) to yoghurts. A total of 32% (n68) PBDA were unfortified (no added micronutrients) of which just over half (54%, n37) were labelled organic. Of the 153 PBDA to milk, 67% (n102) were fortified with at least one micronutrient. The most common fortification was calcium (65%, n100), followed by vitamin D (59%, n90). Iodine was added to 22% (n34) of products. Fortified plant-based beverages, compared with milk, provided lower amounts of calcium and iodine (115.7mg/100ml vs. 142.5mg/100ml; and 7.7µg/100ml vs 30µg/100ml for calcium and iodine respectively). PBDA to cheese (n30) were lower in energy, total fat and saturated fat compared with dairy cheese but contained low amounts of protein (0.8g/100g vs. 24.1/100g for PBDA and dairy counterparts respectively). Among PBDA to cheese, 60% (n18) were fortified; 37% (n11) with vitamin B12 and 30% (n9) with calcium. Unfortified products contained negligible amounts of micronutrients. Of the 31 PBDA to yoghurts, only soya-based (71%, n22) products were comparable to dairy yoghurts in terms of protein (4.0g/100g vs. 4.5g/100g, respectively). Coconut-based products (26%, n8) compared to dairy yoghurts provided over nine-fold higher saturated fat (6.7g/100g vs. 0.7g/100g, respectively). The majority (84%, n26) PBDA to yoghurts were fortified with calcium and one product was fortified with iodine. GHGe were lower for soya-based beverages compared to milk (0.09kgCO2eq/100g vs. 0.15kgCO2eq/100g, respectively), however water use was higher (29.7L/100g vs. 0.64L/100g).

Due to protein content, fortified soya-based products represent the best PBDA choices nutritionally in Ireland, where such beverages are environmentally comparable with dairy milk. Micronutrient fortification, in terms of nutrients and amounts added, was identified as a key factor in ensuring the adequacy of PBDA.

A major focus of the democratic backsliding literature has been on “executive aggrandizement” in electoral, institutional, and civil societal arenas. An influential explanation of the strength of opposition to aggrandizers contends that the more democratic accountability remains despite illiberal stratagems, the stronger the pushback is likely to be. A single-country temporal comparison of three aggrandizing Philippine presidents—Ferdinand Marcos Sr., Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and Rodrigo Duterte—demonstrates that this view not only fails to account for stark variation in opposition, it predicts the reverse of what actually occurred. Despite election fraud, constitutional manipulation, and protest crackdowns, Marcos Sr. and Arroyo confronted stronger pushback. By contrast, opposition against Duterte gained little traction although elections remained competitive, institutions were left largely intact, and there was little repression of peaceful protests. This suggests that opposition efficacy is more dependent on how effectively it can contest democratic legitimation claims used to disguise autocratization.

Petrographical and geochemical data from the Togo structural unit (TSU), also referred to as the Atacora structural unit, are presented together with the existing dataset; geochemical and age data from the sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks from the passive margin sequences of the Dahomeyide belt in Ghana to infer their provenance and depositional setting and expand the discussion on the Rodina–Gondwana supercontinent assembly during the Pan-African orogeny. The metasedimentary rocks of the TSU are quartzites and phyllites. The framework grains of the quartzites consisting dominantly of quartz and small amounts of feldspar grains and relict lithic fragments classify them as quartz arenite, subarkose and sublitharenite. Generally, the studied rocks show similar rare-earth element and multi-element patterns, which imply derivation from similar sources. Elemental ratios, including (La/Lu)N, Th/Sc and La/Sc, suggest sediments sourced from intermediate to felsic rocks. Provenance and depositional setting indicators of the TSU suggest deposition in a passive margin setting, with the West African and Amazonian cratons’ granitoids and granitic gneisses as possible provenance, akin to siliciclastic rocks of the Buem structural unit and the Voltaian Supergroup of the Volta Basin. The deformational history of the TSU is similar to those of the Buem structural unit and the eastern margin of the Voltaian Supergroup, indicating the effect of the Pan-African orogeny on the passive margin of the Dahomeyide belt. We, therefore, propose the formation and evolution of a Neoproterozoic passive margin unit, which was tectonically deformed during the Rodinia–Gondwana supercontinent cycle.

Dyads can be challenging to recruit for research studies, but detailed reporting on strategies employed to recruit adult–adolescent dyads is rare. We describe experiences recruiting adult–youth dyads for a hypertension education intervention comparing recruitment in an emergency department (ED) setting with a school-based community setting. We found more success in recruiting dyads through a school-based model that started with adolescent youth (19 dyads in 7 weeks with < 1 hour recruitment) compared to an ED-based model that started with adults (2 dyads in 17 weeks with 350 hours of recruitment). These findings can benefit future adult–youth dyad recruitment for research studies.

This article presents a framework of ethical analysis for anticipatory evaluation of advanced biopreservation technologies and employs the framework illustratively in three domains. The framework features four clusters of general ethical considerations: (1) Producing Benefits, Minimizing Harms, Balancing Benefits, Risk, and Costs; (2) Justice, Fairness, Equity; (3) Respect for Autonomy; and (4) Transparency, Trustworthiness, and Public Trust.