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Health technology assessment (HTA) studies focused on equipment have particularities. The evaluation of orthoses (ORT) and prostheses (PRT) is even more challenging and tends to present more difficulties when compared to technologies such as medicines. Furthermore, in Brazil there are different manufacturing and dispensing processes for these technologies throughout the country; this heterogeneity could also affect the sustainability of the system itself.
Objectives
(i) evaluate and disseminate the elements necessary to carry out adequate and sustainable assessments of non-implantable ORT and PRT and; (ii) produce a guideline on HTA assessment for non-implantable ORT and PRT.
Methods
Visits were made to ORT and PRT centers throughout Brazil to collect data on the production chain, dispensing, adaptation, and evaluation of the patient’s clinical results. At the same time, systematic literature reviews were carried out on two topics: (i) elements that must be considered in the manufacture, dispensation, and adaptation of non-implantable ORT and PRT; and (ii) HTA guidelines/examples focused on ORT and PRT.
Results
Eight of a total of 12 centers throughout different Brazilian regions were visited. A scoping review was carried out on body-sizing methods for manufacturing non-implantable ORT and PRT, and the differences and particularities of each method. Another systematic review on existing HTA guidelines and the HTA assessment of ORT and PRT is ongoing. The data of the three phases will be analyzed and translated in a Brazilian guideline of HTA for non-implantable ORT and PRT.
Conclusions
With the network of regional and national centers and the sum of different actors (such as government agencies, universities, and health centers), working together for common ground and the sustainability of the health system in complex areas such as HTA of ORT and PRT would be viable. Even with this effort, the work to be done and the challenges are significant.
Most of the carbonate samples have a basic well-defined pretreatment protocol for 14C-AMS dating, but particularities of specific organisms have to be treated with care. This is the case of stromatolite samples, in which carbonate is formed by biogenesis and also has a porous structure that could contain recent organic material as a contaminant. In this work, we analyzed the differences in the radiocarbon content by using organic matter removals before chemical treatment with HCl: sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) a 0.7M solution with pH ∼11, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) an 8.8M solution with pH ∼5. These treatments were chosen because they are the most used in stromatolite samples for geochemical analysis. To compare the impact of the organic matter removal treatments in stromatolite samples we also processed them as regular carbonate samples for radiocarbon analysis, with no organic matter removal (control samples). X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence have been used to obtain mineral and elemental characterization, respectively. H2O2 could not influence the results of Mg-calcite concentrate samples. The use of NaOCl appears to have been effective in preserving more material than H2O2 independent of the mineralogical composition of the stromatolite layers. The F14C results after HCl etching for Mg-calcite concentrated samples were similar to those without etching suggesting that the HCl etching does not impact the results in this case. The organic matter removal is more important than the etching procedure for stromatolite samples. NaOCl is more indicated to be used as chemical pretreatment for radiocarbon analysis purposes independent of the mineral matrix of samples.
Silvopastoral systems (SPSs) constitute a modality of agroforestry systems in which trees or shrubs, pastures and animals mutually grow, interacting with the environment, and providing several ecosystem services. This review aims to comprehensively discuss the ecosystem services provided by SPSs in different countries, highlighting the diverse ways these systems can contribute to human well-being and environmental sustainability, also emphasizing the importance of management strategies, the differences among systems and the main shortcomings and challenges to optimizing ecosystem service delivery from SPSs. The review focused on global studies, mainly those published between 2010 and 2024, directly relevant to the topic. We used Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science databases for literature screening. SPSs have demonstrated worldwide potential to enhance human food and forage production, nutrient cycling, soil fertility, biological nitrogen fixation, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas mitigation, erosion control, microclimate regulation, pollination, control of pests and diseases, biodiversity, residue absorption, water quality, spiritual enrichment, recreation and aesthetic experiences. However, most ecosystem services provided by SPSs depend on climate conditions, soil type, choice of species, system design and management practices to ensure that such benefits are not provided at the cost of other important services. Interaction among components is a major challenge for system management and evaluations. Adopting SPSs has the potential to promote sustainable agriculture. Long-term studies are needed to elucidate the implications of multiple interactions within the system and their impact on ecosystem service delivery. Public policies, including evaluating ecosystem services, should be developed to promote the adoption of SPSs.
Non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents has grown in recent years, becoming a significant public health issue. The high social and psychological impacts related to it are often characterized by substance abuse and the development of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, emotional dysregulation and heightened reactivity are associated psychological characteristics.
Objectives
The aim of this paper was to do a scoping review, mapping the existing literature on self-harming behaviors among Brazilian adolescents, considering their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.
Methods
We followed the adapted PRISMA checklist for scoping reviews. We searched eight databases: APA PsycNet, LILACS, MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and Scopus. The selection of studies was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, where three independent researchers examined all titles and abstracts, applying the eligibility criteria. Accordingly, six studies were selected for descriptive analysis due to the variety of study types.
Results
A total of 2,032 youngsters were studied in the age range of 10 to 19 years-old, among over 15,000 reported cases of self-harming behaviors. Females accounted for 51.3% of the cases and had higher scores of impulsivity and loneliness to self-harming behavior (P ≤ 0.05). Alcohol use was evident across both genders but showed higher measures for males in both age groups (10 to 14 and 15 to 19 years, p < 0.001).
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Conclusions
The study pointed to a diversity of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics; however further research is needed on this topic on Brazilian adolescents. In addition, a broader standardization of data is necessary for more specific statistical analyses.
This is a descriptive cross-sectional clinical study with professionals from the Nursing Team (Nursing Assistant, Nursing Technician and Nurse).
Objectives
To assess the psychological impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on nursing staff professionals.
Methods
A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study will be applied to a structured interview aimed at collecting sociodemographic and occupational data, Mental Health Scales evaluating professional exhaustion - Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and Beck’s Anxiety Rating Scale to assess the state of anxiety.
Results
About 13,587 nursing professionals were interviewed, including nurses, technicians and nursing assistants. They were evidenced through the behavior indexes related to insomnia, the desire to cry and appetite variation may be related to the long working hours, the fear of contamination and the consequent absence from work, as well as the fear of getting sick may be related to the fact that the professional stops being a caregiver and starts to be cared for.
Conclusions
the study denotes the importance and need for interventions to promote and prevent mental well-being in health professionals exposed to COVID-19, these need to be implemented immediately, for nursing professionals, as they are on the front line, demanding attention Special. In this sense, the Nursing Council of the State of São Paulo created and implemented some bills such as the Obligation of Rest Rooms in Health Units, the Cuidando de Quem Cuida Program and the Yellow September Campaign in Allusion to actions for Nursing professionals for the prevention and promotion in mental health category.
Eating disorders are characterized by a persistent disturbance in eating and/or eating-related behavior, resulting in altered food consumption or absorption, which can significantly compromise physical health as well as psychosocial functioning. These disorders are closely linked with stressful experiences which university students configure a group prone to development.
Objectives
The objective is to evaluate the impact of eating disorders on young people when entering and staying at university.
Methods
This is an observational, quantitative, analytical and cross-sectional study, in which 1300 (one thousand and three hundred) medical students were invited, of both sexes and over 18 years of age from the 1st (first) to the 12th (twelfth) year. period of the Medicine course at the University of Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE) with 91 students joining. A structured interview was applied via online, aiming at collecting sociodemographic and occupational data in conjunction with the application of the Periodic Eating Compulsion Scale - ECAP, assessing the existence and degree of eating disorders in medical students.
Results
Mean age 22.7 ± 3.9 years, predominantly female (76.9%) and white ethnicity (86.8%). Most live alone or with a parent (82.5%). With regard to eating habits, 81 (89.0%) said they did not follow a nutrition professional’s diet, and 84 (92.3%) have at least 3 meals a day. Lunch is eaten by 100% of the participants, while supper is the least consumed meal (17.6%). A total of 24 (26.4%) participants said they had little time to eat, and almost half (46.2%) did not prepare their own meals, with 12.5% choosing to eat salted or not. eating a certain meal. The ECAP binge eating score had a median of 9 (11.5) points, with a minimum score equal to 1 and a maximum equal to 41. Sixty-eight (74.7%) of the participants were classified as having no binge eating, with moderate binge eating 15 (16.5%), and severe, 8 (8.8%).
Conclusions
There is a need for changes in lifestyle aspects in order to present healthier meals in appropriate amounts, in addition to an adequate therapeutic approach to these disorders. Research funding agency We also declare that we received financial support from the Institutional Program for Scientific Initiation Scholarships (PROBIC).
Craniofacial malformations have long been associated with a heightened risk of psychiatric disorders. Understanding this link is crucial, as it can inform early intervention and support for affected individuals, enhancing their overall well-being. Research in this area aims to shed light on the prevalence and nature of these disorders within the craniofacial population, ultimately improving healthcare and quality of life for affected individuals.
Objectives
This study aims to establish a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between craniofacial malformations and psychiatric disorders. Specifically, our objectives include: assessing prevalence, identifying risk factors, evaluating impact and informing clinical practice. This research aims to improve the holistic care and mental well-being of individuals with craniofacial malformations, contributing to a more comprehensive approach in the field of psychiatry.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted at a prominent referral hospital named Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre during the month of August 2023.
Participant Selection: Patients with craniofacial malformations of all ages and both genders.
Data Collection: We conducted structured interviews with participants to gather demographic information, medical history, and details of their craniofacial conditions.
Medical Records Review: Medical records were reviewed to corroborate craniofacial diagnoses and identify any comorbid conditions.
Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical techniques to assess the association between craniofacial malformations and psychiatric disorders.
Ethical Considerations: The study adhered to all ethical guidelines, with informed consent obtained from participants or their legal guardians. Ethical approval was obtained from the hospital’s Institutional Review Board.
Data Handling: Confidentiality and data security were ensured throughout the study, with all data anonymized to protect participant privacy.
Results
In our study, we assessed 132 different patients, comprising 62 females and 70 males. The youngest patient was 2 months old, while the oldest was 56 years old. The mean age of the patients was 16.22 years, with a median of 9 years, a harmonic mean of 18 years, and a standard deviation of 15.23 years.
Among the patients, 24 exhibited psychiatric disorders, evenly split between 12 males and 12 females. Their average age was 16.21 years, with a median of 10 years, a harmonic mean of 6.13, and a standard deviation of 14.57. The youngest patient with evidence of a psychiatric disorder was 2 years old.
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Conclusions
Our study underscores the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among craniofacial patients, which seems to be greater than the general population, emphasizing the need for integrated care that considers both medical and psychological aspects, thus enhancing the overall well-being of these individuals.
Alcohol and illicit drug use are highly prevalent among the homeless population. Religiosity and spirituality (RS) have been widely associated with lower substance use. However, evidence of this relationship among the homeless is still scarce.
Objectives
To assess the association between RS and the use of alcohol and illicit drugs among the homeless population of a large Brazilian urban center.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted in São Paulo, Brazil. Aspects such as spirituality (FACIT-Sp12), religiosity (P-DUREL), religious-spiritual coping (Brief-RCOPE), and self-applied questions about current substance use (alcohol and illicit drugs) were evaluated. Adjusted Logistic Regression models were performed.
Results
A total of 456 homeless individuals were included, with an average age of 44.5 (SD=12.6) years. More than half of the participants used alcohol (55.7%) weekly and 34.2% used illicit drugs weekly. The adjusted Logistic Regression models identified that aspects of RS were associated with a lower propensity for alcohol and illicit drug use, whereas negative religious-spiritual coping strategies were associated with a higher propensity for the use of both.
Conclusions
The prevalence of alcohol and illicit drug use among participants was high. Positive RS and religious-spiritual coping were significant protective factors against the use of these substances. Conversely, negative religious-spiritual coping strategies were associated with risk factors.
Cancer causes an impact in the face of its news, whether due to feelings of anguish, stress and suffering due to the presence of the disease, which can be shared between patients, family members and loved ones. The news regarding the diagnosis generates, in addition to the psychological impact, financial difficulties, as the patient himself can often be responsible for a large part of the family income. Other complications are the difficulties in understanding the disease by the family members and/or the patient, denial of the disease in order to spare the patient from suffering and other loved ones, family conflicts related to the need to adapt to the new routine of daily life that the family should carry out aiming at the well-being of the patient and his treatment.
Objectives
To evaluate the psychological impact and interpersonal relationships in patients with breast cancer treated in the city of Presidente PrudenteSP by a support association.
Methods
This is an observational, quantitative, analytical and cross-sectional study, in which 200 patients with malignant breast cancer will be invited.
Results
The sociodemographic results found were: 62.5% white women, 65.6% aged between 45-65 years, 56.3% married, 46.9% have completed higher education, 56.3% had no family history of cancer, predominance of stages II, III and IV when discovered, 93.5% did not drink, 84.4% did not smoke. On the anxiety scale, 53.1% and 43.8% report getting tired easily and feeling like crying, respectively. On the social adequacy scale, 72.5% continued working only with some limitation during treatment, despite this, 41.4% had minor financial difficulties, 34.5% had difficulties expressing feelings with family members, 40.7% had a relationship well with family members with small arguments and finally 34.8% felt affection for the partner all the time, despite this 36.4% did not have sexual intercourse with them in the last month.
Conclusions
It was concluded, therefore, that when a family member gets sick, they all feel impacted, and each family will deal with the experience in a particular way, therefore, it is worth highlighting the encouragement of family participation in therapy sessions.
Craniofacial surgery is a specialized field that addresses congenital and acquired deformities of the head and face. While the physical outcomes of craniofacial surgery are well-documented, less attention has been given to the psychological well-being of adult patients. This abstract aims to explore self-esteem issues among adult patients treated at the Craniofacial Surgery Sector of HCPA (Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre), where a substantial proportion of adult patients have reported self-esteem problems.
Objectives
1. To assess the prevalence of self-esteem issues among adult patients (≥18 years old) attending the HCPA Craniofacial Surgery Sector.
2. To examine potential contributing factors to self-esteem problems in this specific patient population.
3. To evaluate the impact of self-esteem on the mental health and psychosocial functioning of adult craniofacial surgery patients.
4. To propose recommendations for psychosocial support and intervention strategies tailored to the needs of adult patients in this context.
Methods
This cross-sectional study involved 132 adult patients who had undergone or were scheduled for craniofacial surgery at HCPA. Participants reported self-esteem issues in their talk with the hospital’s physicians, and their medical records were reviewed to collect demographic and clinical data. Additionally, participants provided information about their mental health status and psychosocial functioning.
Results
Among the 39 adult patients included in the study, 37 (94.9%) reported experiencing self-esteem issues, such as lack of confidence or feeling unattractive. The most commonly reported contributing factors were visible facial differences, social interactions, and prior surgical experiences. Patients with lower self-esteem had a higher likelihood of reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety and reported lower overall psychosocial functioning compared to those with higher self-esteem.
Conclusions
This reveals a strikingly high prevalence of self-esteem issues among adult patients attending the Craniofacial Surgery Sector at HCPA. These findings underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing the psychological well-being of adult craniofacial surgery patients. Comprehensive psychosocial support, including counseling, peer support, and interventions to enhance self-esteem, should be integrated into the care of these patients. By addressing self-esteem concerns, healthcare providers can improve the mental health and overall quality of life of adult craniofacial surgery patients.
The Pierre-Robin sequence (PRS), characterized by micrognathia, glossoptosis, and cleft palate, has long been a subject of clinical interest. Recent research suggests a potential association between PRS and cognitive or psychiatric disorders. This study explores this intriguing connection, shedding light on the complex interplay between craniofacial anomalies and mental health.
Objectives
This study aims to establish a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between Pierre-Robin Sequence and psychiatric disorders. Specifically, our objectives include: assessing prevalence, evaluating impact and informing clinical practice. This research aims to improve the holistic care and mental well-being of individuals with craniofacial malformations, contributing to a more comprehensive approach in the field of psychiatry.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted at a prominent referral hospital named Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, an international reference in Pierre-Robin Sequence, during the month of August 2023.
Participant Selection: Patients with PRS. Inclusion criteria encompassed individuals of all ages and both genders.
Data Collection: Trained medical personnel conducted structured interviews with participants to gather demographic information, medical history, and details of their craniofacial conditions.
Medical Records Review: Medical records were reviewed to corroborate craniofacial diagnoses and identify any comorbid conditions.
Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical techniques to assess the association between PRS and psychiatric disorders.
Ethical Considerations: The study adhered to all ethical guidelines, with informed consent obtained from participants or their legal guardians. Ethical approval was obtained from the hospital’s Institutional Review Board.
Data Handling: Confidentiality and data security were ensured throughout the study, with all data anonymized to protect participant privacy.
Results
In our study, we assessed 28 different patients with Pierre-Robin Sequence, comprising 13 females and 15 males. The youngest patient was 2 months old, while the oldest was 22 years old. The mean age of the patients was 4.75 years, with a median of 3 years and a standard deviation of 5.36 years.
Among the patients, 6 exhibited psychiatric disorders, split between 4 males and 2 females. Their average age was 10 years, with a median of 9 years and a standard deviation of 4.2. The youngest patient with evidence of a psychiatric disorder was 5 years old.
Conclusions
This study underscores a concerning reality within the Pierre-Robin population, pointing to a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders. These findings highlight the urgent need for integrated care, emphasizing the importance of early psychiatric assessment and tailored interventions to enhance the overall well-being of individuals facing the challenges of PRS.
Psychotic patients often require pharmacological treatment, which may prove ineffective, leading to treatment-resistant psychosis necessitating the use of clozapine. However, the emergence of side effects can result in discontinuation, potentially triggering a relapse of psychotic symptoms. One significant side effect is antipsychotic-induced weight gain which, over time, can lead to adverse metabolic events. Recent translational research is evaluating the impact of prenatal factors on the metabolic outcomes of psychotic patients, using a surrogate marker of the intrauterine milieu such as birth weight (BW).
Objectives
We aim to evaluate the changes in leptin, adiponectin, and insulin levels in patients with treatment-resistant psychosis who initiate clozapine treatment due to persistent psychotic symptoms.
Methods
Subjects older than 18 years with a diagnostic of a major mental disorder and initiating clozapine were enrolled in this 18-months longitudinal study. Neurohormones levels, including leptin, adiponeptin, and insulin were measured at baseline, 8 and 18 months during follow-up. Statistical analysis were conducted by using a fixed-effects model.
Results
A total of 23 subjects initiating clozapine were evaluated during the initial mandatory 18-week period. Neurohormones, specifically leptin and adiponectin, were measured at three time points: baseline, 8 weeks, and 18 weeks. The changes in leptin levels were significantly associated with birth BW with sex differences, being inversely correlated only in females. Adiponectin was significantly associated with BW, being inversely correlated in males. Conversely, there was no observed association between insulin levels and BW.
Conclusions
Our findings highlight the significance of prenatal factors in influencing the subsequent evolution of neurohormones in individuals initiating clozapine treatment. This suggests that subjects with lower BW tend to exhibit elevated neurohormone values, emphasizing the role of prenatal events in this context.
Phylodynamic models can be used to estimate diversification trajectories from time-calibrated phylogenies. Here we apply two such models to phylogenies of non-avian dinosaurs, a clade whose evolutionary history has been widely debated. Although some authors have suggested that the clade experienced a decline in diversity, potentially starting millions of years before the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, others have suggested that the group remained highly diverse right up until the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary. Our results show that model assumptions, likely with respect to incomplete sampling, have a large impact on whether dinosaurs appear to have experienced a long-term decline or not. The results are also highly sensitive to the topology and branch lengths of the phylogeny used. Developing comprehensive models of sampling bias, and building larger and more accurate phylogenies, are likely to be necessary steps for us to determine whether dinosaur diversity was or was not in decline before the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.
Productive and nutritional traits of forage species in various regions worldwide depend on different management strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of harvest frequency (56, 77 and 98 days) and season of the year (rainy and dry) on the nutritional value and fractionation of carbohydrates and proteins of Stylosanthes genotypes (S. seabrana, S. scabra, S. mucronata and Stylosanthes spp. cv. Campo Grande). The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement and four repetitions. Contents of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM), condensed tannins and total phenolic compounds were influenced by the interaction of harvest frequency and season of the year. The 98-day harvest frequency resulted in lower IVDDM (579 g/kg) due to the high NDF and ADF concentrations during the rainy season. S. seabrana and S. scabra showed a higher proportion of A + B1 and B2 carbohydrate fractions, while the C fraction in the rainy season was greater in the Campo Grande, resembling S. seabrana. S. scabra displayed 15% of the crude protein in fraction A. The bromatological traits of Stylosanthes spp. did not decline sharply owing to plant age advancement, indicating these genotypes are suitable for forage production systems in tropical or semiarid regions.
During the study of ectoparasites (Platyhelminthes) of fish in the floodplain of the Upper Paraná River - Brazil, a new species of Urocleidoides, present in the gill filaments of Hemiodus orthonops (Hemiodontidae), is described using morphological description and molecular data from the mitochondrial region of cytochrome c oxidase, subunit 1 (COI) and the partial region of the 28S rDNA gene. Urocleidoides luquei n. sp. differs from all its congeners by the presence of a filament that joins the accessory piece to the base of the male copulatory organ and resembles U. paradoxus and U. surianoae. Phylogenetic analyses using molecular data revealed that U. luquei n. sp. forms a paraphyletic group concerning the other Urocleidoides species. In this way, as well as contributing to the description of a new species, we seek to encourage and contribute to the increase in research using integrative taxonomy, thus making it possible to elucidate some unresolved questions about the genus Urocleidoides.
The aim of the present study was to discriminate between distinct types of clay units by applying multivariate statistical techniques, which have seldom been applied to the exploitation of ceramic clays. At the outcrop scale, texturally similar argillaceous or clayey layers of different ceramic types cannot be effectively distinguished, which can result in the misuse and loss of raw materials. Representative samples of clayey raw materials from central Portugal Cenozoic deposits with potential use in the manufacture of structural clay products were first assessed for granulometric, mineralogical, chemical, and technological properties. Based on those properties and the use of multivariate statistical techniques, i.e., factor analysis (FA) and cluster analysis (CA), a novel statistical approach that combined all these variable properties was produced. This approach made it possible to distinguish the ceramic suitability and perceive which parameters most influence that suitability. The use of R-mode FA made it feasible to differentiate and group samples based on the most influential variables: the contents of Al2O3, Fe, illite, quartz, feldspars, and K2O. The use of R-mode CA substantiated the FA results in the identification of influential variables, such as Al2O3, Fe, and illite. The use of Q-mode CA established two main clusters: clayey-silt samples and sandy and/or feldspathic samples, the clayey-silt samples encompassed three sub-clusters. These three sub-clusters match ceramic types with different suitabilities and relate sample stratigraphic setting to the encompassing stratigraphic units. Diagrams that relate the grain size, the content of different oxides, the content of different minerals, and the plasticity to the ceramic suitability illustrate the CA groupings. An adequate blend of sand and clay for red stoneware (bricks and tiles) manufacture was indicated as a major requirement for most raw materials of the clayey-silt cluster. Raw materials represented by the sandy and/or feldspathic cluster can either be used to blend with materials that lack sand or to blend with excessively plastic samples.
Plant-based diets have emerged as athletic performance enhancers for various types of exercise. Therefore, the present study evaluated the effectiveness of plant-based diets on aerobic and strength/power performances, as well as on BMI of physically active individuals. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted and reported according to the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. A systematic search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus, was performed. On the basis of the search and inclusion criteria, four and six studies evaluating the effects of plant-based diets on aerobic and strength/power performances in humans were, respectively, included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Plant-based diets had a moderate but positive effect on aerobic performance (0·55; 95 % CI 0·29, 0·81) and no effect on strength/power performance (–0·30; 95 % CI −0·67, 0·07). The altogether analyses of both aerobic and strength/power exercises revealed that athletic performance was unchanged (0·01; 95 % CI −0·21, 0·22) in athletes who adopted plant-based diets. However, a small negative effect on BMI (–0·27; 95 % CI −0·40, –0·15) was induced by these diets. The results indicate that plant-based diets have the potential to exclusively assist aerobic performance. On the other hand, these diets do not jeopardise strength/power performance. Overall, the predicted effects of plant-based diets on physical performance are impactless, even though the BMI of their adherents is reduced.
Estelestes ensis Novaceck et al., 1991 is a curious Paleogene metatherian mammal recognized on the basis of a single specimen from Baja California (Mexico) in southern North America. It comes from early Eocene (Wasatchian age) levels of the Las Tetas de Cabra Formation at “Marsupial Hill” in the Lomas Las Tetas de Cabra site (also known as Punta Prieta; see Novaceck et al., 1991). The specimen consists of a fragmentary left mandible with the last premolar, the roots of the first two molars, and almost complete last two molars (Fig. 1). It was referred to the Didelphini (Marsupialia, Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae, Didelphinae) even though Novaceck et al. (1991) stated that the overall morphology of the type specimen poses intriguing problems regarding its relationships. For example, the very deep, robust jaw of Estelestes distinguishes it from any other Holarctic “didelphine” (at the time Novaceck et al., 1991 published their work, both the concept and extent of Didelphidae and Didelphinae were much broader than today). Interestingly, they concluded that Estelestes had close affinities with “Mirandotherium” (lapsus calami for Mirandatherium), from the early Eocene of Itaboraí, in southeastern Brazil. “Resemblance between the two taxa is nevertheless striking, once again raising the possibility of close relationships among certain early members of the Northern Hemisphere and South American Didelphinae” (Novaceck et al., 1991, p. 16). The affinities of Mirandatherium are contested, having been regarded as part of the Didelphimorphia (e.g., de Paula Couto, 1952a) or Microbiotheria (e.g., Marshall, 1987; McKenna and Bell, 1997; Oliveira and Goin, 2011), or even as an alphadontian (Carneiro, 2019).
To develop a simulation framework for assessing how combinations of taxes, nutrition warning labels and advertising levels could affect purchasing of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in Latin American countries and to understand whether policies reinforce or reduce pre-existing social disparities in UPF consumption.
Design:
We developed an agent-based simulation model using international evidence regarding the effect of price, nutrition warning labels and advertising on UPF purchasing.
Setting:
We estimated policy effects in scenarios representing two stages of the ‘social transition’ in UPF purchasing: (1) a pre-transition scenario, where UPF purchasing is higher among high-income households, similar to patterns in Mexico; and (2) a post-transition scenario where UPF purchasing is highest among low-income households, similar to patterns in Chile.
Participants:
A population of 1000 individual agents with levels of age, income, educational attainment and UPF purchasing similar to adult women in Mexico.
Results:
A 20 % tax would decrease purchasing by 24 % relative to baseline in both the pre- and post-transition scenarios, an effect that is similar in magnitude to that of a nutrition warning label policy. A 50 % advertising increase or decrease had a comparatively small effect. Nutrition warning labels were most effective among those with higher levels of educational attainment. Labelling reduced inequities in the pre-transition scenario (i.e. highest UPF purchasing among the highest socio-economic group) but widened inequities in the post-transition scenario.
Conclusions:
Effective policy levers are available to reduce UPF purchasing, but policymakers should anticipate that equity impacts will differ depending on existing social patterns in UPF purchasing.