bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between a metabolic syndrome score and high sensitivity C-reactive protein in European children: the IDEFICS study
Authors: Gonzalez-Gil Esther M. , Nappo Annunziata , Santabarbara Javier , Wolters Maike , Russo Paola , De Henauw Stefaan , Veidebaum Toomas , Molnar Denes , Ahrens Wolfgang , Moreno Luis
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of risk factors that may be present already in childhood. MetS has been associated with inflammatory biomarkers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in aduls. In 2014, Ahrens et al, published reference standards for a paediatric MetS score based on reference values from European children. The aim of this study is to assess longitudinally the relationship between a MetS score and hsCRP in a sample of European children.

Materials and Methods

Out of the baseline sample of the IDEFICS Study, 2913 children aged 2–9 years were included in this study. Inclusion criteria was having available data of waist circumference (WC), diastolic and systolic blood pressure (DBP, SBP), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), glucose and insulin, to calculate the homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA); and hs-CRP as a marker of inflammation, at baseline (T0) and two years later (T1). hs-CRP was categorized into two categories as some children had lower concentration than the detection limit of 0.02mg/dL. Student t-test and logistic regression were used to assess these associations. Logistic regression was adjusted by age, sex, body mass index (BMI), socioeconomic level and country.

Results

Differences of mean values of the components of the MetS and the two categories of hs-CRP were observed between both time points. Mean values of SBP, DBP, WC, TG and HOMA were significantly higher in children with a higher category of hsCRP (p < 0.005). In addition, MetS score was significantly higher in those with a higher category of hs-CRP (p < 0.001) at both measurement points, T0 and T1. Finally, logistic regression between components of MetS and categories of hs-CRP, at both time points, showed significant associations (p < 0.001) for WC (OR = 1.06 at T0 and OR = 1.04 at T1) and HDL (OR = 0.98 at T0 and OR = 0.98 at T1) and the MetS score (OR = 1.07) score at T1.

Discussion

The association between MetS and inflammation is already present in children. Out of the components of the MetS, WC and HDL were the ones more associated with an inflammatory state at two times points. Also the MetS score, but only at the follow-up, was associated with the hs-CRP. Therefore, in order to prevent the inflammatory state in childhood, efforts to improve the metabolic profile, specially WC and HDL, need to be made.
Association between dietary fat intake and MRI-determined visceral, subcutaneous, or hepatic fat in men and women from the general population
Authors: Meisinger Christa , Rospleszcz Susanne , Wintermeyer Elke , Lorbeer Roberto , Thorand Barbara , Bamberg Fabian , Peters Annette , Schlett Christopher , Linseisen Jakob
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

An increase in dietary fat intake - at the expense of dietary carbohydrate intake - may play an important role in the accumulation of adipose tissue at different sites and liver fat accumulation. Thus, the present study investigated the isocaloric substitution of dietary carbohydrates with fat, and its cross-sectional association with visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and hepatic fat content as determined by MRI.

Material and Methods:

Data from 283 participants (mean age 56.1 ± 9.0 years) from the KORA FF4 study study who underwent whole-body MRI were included. VAT, SAT, and total body fat were quantified by a volume-interpolated VIBE-T1w-Dixon MR sequence. Hepatic fat content was determined as the proton density fat-fraction (PDFF) derived from multiecho-T1w MR sequence. Habitual dietary intake was estimated by combining the information provided by repeated 24-h food lists and a food frequency questionnaire. Cross-sectional associations were analyzed using linear regressions.

Results:

Carbohydrate intake (in % of total energy intake (E%)) correlated significantly inversely with VAT (r = -0.34) and hepatic fat (r = -0,30), while fat intake (E%) correlated positively with hepatic fat content (r = 0.16). Replacing total carbohydrates with an isocaloric amount of total fat was significantly positively associated with VAT and hepatic fat, while there was no significant association with SAT. The multivariable adjusted β-coefficient for replacing 5 E% carbohydrates with total fat was 0.39 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.76) for VAT. An increase in total fat intake by 5% of total energy was associated with an increase in liver fat content by 24%. Dietary fiber intake was significantly inversely associated with VAT and hepatic lipid content.

Discussion:

In middle-aged adults, substitution of carbohydrates with total fat was associated with a higher volume of VAT and an increase of hepatic fat, while whole-grain associated carbohydrates show inverse associations. If reproduced in prospective studies, such findings would strongly argue for limiting dietary fat intake.
Sensitivity to change of the UK Diabetes and Diet Questionnaire in a specialist weight management service
Authors: England Clare , Leary Sam , Thompson Catherine , Lorimer Claire , Andrews Rob
Published: June 2020

The UK Diabetes and Diet Questionnaire (UKDDQ) is a brief dietary questionnaire developed for people with, or at high risk of, type 2 diabetes(1). It consists of 20 items scored from 0–5 (0 healthiest, 5 least healthy). It has been demonstrated to be reliable and compares well with food diaries. A study evaluating sensitivity to change of the UKDDQ was undertaken at the specialist weight management service (WMS) at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton. WMS patients receive an initial appointment with an endocrinologist and dietitian, followed by referral to group sessions or dietary advice. Follow up appointments with a WMS specialist occur over the next 26 weeks. Adults attending the service were recruited for the study between September 2016-March 2017. Participants completed the UKDDQ in the waiting room at the initial appointment and the first follow-up. Diabetes status, binge eating assessment and weight at both timepoints were obtained from WMS records. UKDDQ scores from 0–5 were calculated for each participant by summing the score for each item and dividing by 20. Change in UKDDQ scores and absolute and percentage change in weight between appointments were calculated. Paired sample t-tests were used to test differences in means for UKDDQ scores and weight from baseline to follow up. Multivariable regression analysis was used to examine associations between changes in the UKDDQ scores and percentage change in weight. The model was adjusted for age, gender, follow up time, diabetes status and binge eating. Forty-eight White British participants completed the study (67% women, 37% type 2 diabetes, 29% binge eating). Baseline mean weight was 132.4 (29.4)kg, mean BMI 46.5(7.7)kg/m2 and mean UKDDQ score was 1.39 (0.49). Participants lost weight (-2.4 (6.9)kg, p = 0.006) and the UKDDQ score improved between baseline and follow up (-0.27(0.53), p = 0.001). The mean percentage weight change was -1.6 (5.0)%. There was some evidence that a one point deterioration in healthy eating was associated with a 2.4 (-0.2 to 5.1)% increase in weight (p = 0.072). The UKDDQ can measure dietary change in people attending a specialist WMS and there is some evidence that a change in score is associated with a change in weight. The UKDDQ could be used as an outcome measure in these services.
MyRareDiet®: A diet tracking, monitoring and optimization mHealth tool.
Authors: Hook Debra , LeMons Cynthia , Yang Dershung , Haas Niina
Published: June 2020

Background

Recent advancements in technology provide promising tools for nutrition research and practice. Using mobile phones to record and photograph food prior to consumption can be an effective method for dietary analysis, reducing reliance on self-report and recall. Research continues to focus on refining and creating new methods to evaluate food intake with greater degrees of accuracy. Wearable and portable technologies have seen vast advances in recent years that allow for continuous collection of biometric data which can be integrated into health assessments. This reduces burden while providing more accurate, consistent data for a variety of health measures. The extensive availability and usage of mobile apps for nutrition-based health interventions makes evaluation of the quality of these apps crucial for integration into nutritional management.

Objectives/Design

MyRareDiet® is a nutrition software and mobile application that can be used in nutrition research and patient dietary management. Accurate dietary information is needed to further understand the link between diet and health outcomes, especially in situations that require close diet management. The use of paper diet diaries and food frequency questionnaires are commonly utilized. However, these tools are frequently inadequate. Novel methods of assessing intake are required to reduce the burden in dietary surveys, improve research participation and thereby improve the representativeness of the sample, while at the same time minimizing the impact of measuring dietary intake.

MyRareDiet® has three subsystems: Patient Portal, Researcher Portal, and Clinician Portal. The primary goal of the Patient and Clinical Portals is to enable patients and caregivers to easily track and monitor their own diet so they can meet their strict diet targets and restrictions, while enabling adherence and compliance. The Researcher Portal facilitates collection, study and analysis of diet-based data. MyRareDiet® has an extensive food database, which has been validated at multiple moments in the development process. Usability studies have been conducted to make sure that the program is easily navigated and meets user and clinician needs. The dietary analysis of the program has been validated against 3-day diet records.

Conclusion

We developed and validated a mobile app called MyRareDiet®, which is intended to document nutrition intake, facilitate data collection, reduce study burden for families and clinicians, and in the future connect this information with patient health outcomes. MyRareDiet® is designed to address a significant unmet need in nutrition research, and to assist with dietary management designed to increase adherence and compliance that leads to improved outcomes.
Characterisation and protein intake analysis of no- to high meat consumption, based on the Swiss National Nutrition Survey menuCH
Authors: Steinbach Lydia , Kaelin Ivo , Krieger Jean-Philippe , Faeh David , Herter-Aeberli Isabelle , Rohrmann Sabine , Sych Janice
Published: June 2020

Today's high interest for no- or low-meat diets is driven by evidence-based associations between high meat consumption and unhealthy lifestyle factors as well as increased risk of various chronic diseases. This study aims to characterize no-, low- and high-meat consumers and describe their protein intake using data from the Swiss nutrition survey menuCH.This first national survey assessed descriptive factors by a questionnaire and dietary intake by 24-hour dietary recall (24 HDR) across all three linguistic regions, German, French and Italian of Switzerland (N = 2057). Data from the questionnaire (food avoidance) and two 24 HDRs were used to categorize total participants (N) into four subgroups: no meat (4.4%); low (15%), medium (65.6%), or high-meat eaters (15%), based on meat-energy contributions of 0; 0–2.4; 2.4–18.7; 18.7–48.4, respectively. Contributions of overall macronutrients and protein from the different food groups were described for each subgroup to identify quantitative and qualitative differences. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was applied to predict the probability of belonging to one of the four subgroups according to the following sociodemographic and behavioral variables: sex, language region, age, nationality, marital status, education, gross household income, BMI, physical activity, smoking, dietary supplements and overall health status. The subgroups differed in protein intake with 11.5%, 12.8%, 15.4% and 19.1% of total energy intake for no-, low-,medium- and high-meat diets, respectively, weighted for sampling design, non-response, weekdays and season. In general, no- and low-meat consumers included a greater variety of foods contributing to protein intake than meat consumers, including more dairy products and meat-alternatives. None of the subgroups met the Swiss Food-based Dietary Guidelines of three portions of dairy products per day. The regression analysis showed that sex, taking dietary supplements or not and BMI were important determinants of the subgroups: women had a higher predicted probability than men to be no- and low-meat eaters and for these same subgroups, individuals showed higher probabilities for taking dietary supplements. Overweight and obese participants showed higher probabilities to be high-meat eaters.

These findings show considerable differences in protein intake and in variety of protein-food selections, between extremes of meat intake (no- to high meat consumption). Future surveys should include frequency methods to allow conclusions about habitual meat intake or avoidance and health status screening to analyse individuals health data.
Libro Healthy Towns - assessing availability of food information for a pilot public health initiative
Authors: Kenny David , Manning Clodagh , McNulty Breige , O'Kelly Damian , Douglas Frances
Published: June 2020

In Ireland SI 489/2014 mandates food businesses (FB) to present written allergen information on food and drink at the point of presentation or sale. Despite this requirement being in place since 2014, compliance is low. A 2017 audit published by the Food Safety Authority Ireland reported that corrective action was required by 88% of FB assessed.

Calorie labeling, although not legally required, has strong consumer demand. Furthermore when FB implement calorie labeling, improvements to stock management resulted in reduced costs.

This study aims to establish a baseline of available information to evaluate the progress of the public health initiative “Libro Healthy Towns”: a pilot project aimed at supporting FB to provide food information to consumers.

A catchment area was established to identify FB for inclusion. FB were categorised by business type: Multi-site (MB) or Independent site (IB), and service type: Restaurant/Café (RC), Restaurant/Takeaway (RT), Hotel, Pub/Restaurant and Takeaway. Availability of allergen and calorie information were collected by observing and photographing food information on display. Where information was not observable, it was requested. Employees were asked if consumers requested calorie information. Responses were recorded for input into a spreadsheet. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS (ver. 24). Results were assessed using Chi-Square and Likelihood Ratio.

In total 54 FB were assessed (31 = MB, 23 = IB), 63% had allergen information displayed and 31% had it available on request. There was no statistically significant difference between business type and allergen information being available on display or by request. Three businesses (6%) had no allergen information available; 100% of these were IB. MB were significantly more likely to have allergen information available (100%) compared with IB (87%) (p-value = .021). Calorie information was available for 24% (n = 13) of FB, of which significantly more (92%) were MB (p-value = .003). Calorie information was requested in 56% of FB, most frequently requested in RC and RT, 62% and 55% respectively. Significantly more MB reported that consumers requested calorie information compared with IB, 77% and 26% respectively (p-value = < .001).

Only half of businesses displayed allergen information in writing at the point of presentation or sale. Consumer interest in calorie information was strong, supporting previous research showing consumers want to make informed food choices. Access to food information was easier in MB however this study shows that measures to improve the availability of food information are necessary across all business types.
Libro Healthy Towns' - A food business protocol for nutrition and allergen declaration
Authors: Manning Clodagh , Kenny David , McNulty Breige , O' Kelly Damian , Douglas Frances
Published: June 2020

‘Libro Healthy Towns’ is a joint public health initiative developed under the Healthy Ireland Charter. The initiative ultimately aims to improve the food environment and support informed food choices through technology. Food businesses are required by EU regulation 1169/2011 on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers, to provide allergen information on foods served. Calorie labelling, while not required, has been established as a strong public desire. This study aims to establish a protocol for implementation of allergen and nutrition declaration in food outlets. A catchment area was used to identify food businesses that were categorised by service sector and organisational type. Two businesses from each service sector were contacted to establish their willingness to participate in the study. A template was developed to collect the food information necessary for nutrition and allergen declaration including: menu items, component recipes and sub-recipes, recipe ingredients and quantities, cooking methods, servings per recipe and recipe weight following cooking. Facilitated weighing was used to establish ingredient weights. Ingredient specific food information: food name, brand, ingredient list, supplier and food form, were observed from packaging. Foods suitable for analysis using generic composition data were identified. Feedback from food businesses was recorded during recruitment and observationally, during onboarding. Of the 54 food outlets included within the catchment area: 57% were classified as ‘restaurant/takeaway’, 28% ‘restaurant/cafe’, 7% ‘pub/restaurant’, 7% ‘takeaway’ and 4% ‘hotel’. 57% of businesses were ‘multisite’, 43% ‘independent’. Of the 10 businesses contacted, 2 businesses volunteered to take part. (Site A & B; a restaurant/cafe and restaurant/takeaway, respectively). In total, 72 ingredients were used for recipe analysis in site A, most (n = 41) were branded. In total, 75 ingredients were used for recipe analysis in site B, most (n = 73) were generic. Reasons for not participating included: fear that declaring nutrition information would negatively impact sales 12.5%, concern regarding digital security of proprietary recipes 12.5%, limited technological skills 12.5%, no reason 25% and unavailability of a decision maker 37.5%. Furthermore, difficulty measuring ingredients, reluctance to waste food and lack of knowledge of brands purchased were identified as barriers to recipe information collection. This study establishes parameters for implementing nutrition and allergen declaration in food outlets. It highlights challenges to providing and collecting food information. Ensuring that provisions are made to address these will be vital to the success of the ‘Libro Healthy Towns’ public health initiative.
Portion size and energy contribution of food in adolescents from São Paulo, Brazil: Changes between 2003 and 2015
Authors: Pereira Jaqueline Lopes , Felix Paula Victória , Batista Lais Duarte , Fisberg Regina Mara
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Overweight has become a very important issue in the epidemiological scenario of nutrition due to its increasing rates and association with several chronic noncommunicable diseases. The etiology of overweight is complex, but diet is one of the modifiable factors that may interfere in the nutritional status of individuals and consequently on overweight and obesity. One aspect of the diet that has been related to overweight is the increase of energy intake, and related to that, the increase on food portion size.

Objective: To evaluate differences in food portions size and its energy contribution in adolescents from São Paulo, Brazil between 2003, 2008 and 2015.

Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional population-based study with a representative sample of 1711 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years who participated in the Health Survey of São Paulo (HS-SP). The HS-SP was conducted in 2003, 2008 and 2015. Overweight was defined according to the cutoff points of the World Health Organization (WHO) for adolescents (BMI ≥ p85). Dietary data were obtained from two 24-hour recalls.Reported foods were classified into groups and the prevalence of consumers, the percentage of energy contribution, and the mean and median of portion sizes in each food group were calculated.

Results: Over the years, the prevalence of overweight in adolescents increased from 13.8% to 29.4%. The prevalence of consumers of salty snacks, fruits, industrialized juices, red meats, rice, sweets/desserts and toast/cookies has increased; while the number of consumers of coffee/tea, fruit juice, milk, artisan/non-packaged snacks and sugar decreased. The food groups with the highest energy contribution were: rice (14%), red meat (12%) and bread (9%) in all the years evaluated. The groups with the greatest increase in the energy contribution from 2003 to 2015 were: toast / cookies, sweets / desserts, white and red meats, and industrialized juices. The consumption portion size of eggs has increased, while those of cold cuts, fruits, industrialized juices, rice and tubers/roots decreased.

Discussion: There was a diverse variation in the frequency of intake, the energy contribution and the food portion size over time with increase in some groups and decrease in others. These findings provide useful data to support future interventions and public policies focused on adolescent feeding.
Parental role modelling and fruits and vegetables intake in European preschoolers: ToyBox-study
Authors: De Miguel-Etayo Pilar , Flores Paloma , Santabarbara Javier , Iglesia Iris , Cardon Greet , Iotova Violeta , Koletzko Berthold , Androutsos Odysseas , Kotowska Aneta , Manios Yannis , Chin A Paw J. M. M. (Mai) , Moreno Luis A
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Childhood obesity is rising in all countries. Dietary habits are modifiable factors which develop early in life. During growth, several factors, such as peer- influence and food availability, determine the development of food preferences and eating behaviour. Parents play also a key role model by influencing their own food intake.

Objetives: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of parental role modelling, as predictor of fruits and vegetables intake in European pre-schoolers.

Methods: The present study included a sample of 6633 preschool children (51.9% boys) from six European centres (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Spain), 3.5 to 5.5 years of age, participating in the ToyBox-study. Data on parental role modelling related with their own fruits and vegetables intake (portions/day) and children's fruits and vegetables intake (portions/day) were collected via standardized proxy-administered questionnaires. Linear regression model was used to assess this association. The adjusted model included socioeconomic status and weight status.

Results: In the unadjusted model, boys whose parents consumed fruits, showed a mean intake of 0.09 (95% CI: 0.08–0.11; p ≤ 0.001) portions of fruits more than the boys whose parents did not consume fruits. Also, girls whose parents consumed fruits, had intake of 0.10 (95% CI: 0.08–0.12; p ≤ 0.001) portions of fruits more than the girls whose parents did not consume fruits.

Moreover, boys whose parents consumed vegetables, showed a mean intake of 0.09 (95% CI: 0.07–0.11; p ≤ 0.001) portions of vegetables more than the boys whose parents did not consume vegetables. Also, girls whose parents consumed fruits, had intake of 0.11 (95% CI: 0.09–0.13; p ≤ 0.001) portions of vegetables more than the girls whose parents did not consume vegetables.

Finally, parental role related with fruits consumption explained 19.3% of fruits intake in European pre-schoolers and the 17.8% of vegetables intake in boys and 21.9% of vegetable intake in girls taking into consideration the potential effect of socioeconomic status of the family and the weight status of the children.

Conclusions: Parental role model of fruit intake has moderate effect on the pre-schooler's dietary intake. However, home environment characteristics such as family rules or availability and accessibility of foods should be considered as potential factors related to food intake in pre-schoolers.
Associations between beverage consumption of parents and their children. The ToyBox-study
Authors: Barrantes Paloma Flores , Larruy Alicia , Miguel-Berges Maria Luisa , De Miguel-Etayo Pilar , Iglesia-Altaba Iris , Cardon Greet , Iotova V. , Berthold Koletzko , Androutsos Odysseas , Socha P. , Manios Yannis , Moreno Luis Alberto
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Dietary habits are established from a very young age. Parental role modeling is an important factor influencing the eating behavior of their children. Drinking behavior may have an impact in the development of childhood obesity. This study aimed to explore the correlations of core drinking beverages between parents and their children.

Materials and Methods: The present study included children of 3.5–5.5 years and their parents from the (Multifactorial evidence-based approach using behavioral models in understanding and promoting fun, healthy food, play and policy for the prevention of obesity in early childhood) ToyBox study. The study was a kindergarten-based family-involved intervention, in preschool children from six European countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland, and Spain. For this study, we analyzed data from the baseline cross-sectional survey.

Data on consumption frequency of water, homemade or fresh fruit juice, prepacked fruit juice, light beverages and sugared sweetened beverages consumption from parents and their children was obtained via a validated food frequency questionnaire. Parents were given examples of serving sizes and asked about how to self-report their usual consumption per day or week. Beverage consumption of children was reported by their parents and information about frequency and portion sizes was collected. Body weight and height of children was measured and classified according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Bivariate correlations were performed to analyze beverage consumption (servings per day) in children and their parents.

Results: The studied sample included 5266 pairs of children (49.2% girls) and parents (91.7% women) that were included in the analysis.

Girls presented higher correlations in water (r2 = 0,317) and sugar sweetened beverages (r2 = 0,302), whereas boys, presented slightly higher correlations of light soft drinks (r2 = 0,273), pure fruit juices (r2 = 0,308) and prepacked fruit juices (r2 = 0,324), all of them at < 0.01 level of significance. Considering boys and girls together, a slightly higher significant correlation coefficients were found between children-parents’ dyads with overweight/obesity compared to normal weight children-parentś for sugar sweetened beverages (r2 = 0,303) and light soft drinks (r2 = 0,396).

Discussion: Beverage consumption of children and their parents were found to be moderately correlated. Overweight children seem to have better correlations with their parents in relation of sugar sweetened beverages and light soft drinks. Parents should encourage a healthy beverage consumption for their own health and most important, because there are key role models to their children.
Effects of salt reduction on cardiovascular risk factors. The STRIVE-study. A 4-month randomized controlled study among healthy families
Authors: Toft Ulla , Riis Nanna Louise , Lassen Anne Dahl , Trolle Ellen , Bjoernsbo Kirsten Schroll , Andreasen Anne Helms
Published: June 2020

Dietary salt intake in most countries is far beyond the recommended level and many countries have initiated national programs to decrease salt intake. However, potential adverse effects of reducing salt intake in the general population are currently discussed. Hence some randomized studies have shown adverse effects on plasma lipids, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the sympathetic nervous system, which may again increase risk of CVD. These findings are however mainly based on short-term studies with a very large acute salt reduction. This study aims to explore the effect of gradually reducing salt intake in a real life setting according to recommendations, and to examine the effect of different salt reduction strategies among families.

The study was a 4-month cluster randomized controlled trial with families randomly assigned to either A) salt reduced bread, B) salt reduced bread and dietary counselling or C) standard bread (control) Participants in intervention A received bread gradually reduced in salt content from 1.2 g salt/100 g (regular) to 0.6 g salt/100 g in ryebread and 0.4 g salt/100 g in wheat bread. Participants in intervention B received the same salt reduced bread and in addition, they received dietary advise on how to further reduce their salt intake and promote potassium. The control group received regular bread. Changes in outcomes were assessed using linear mixed models.

Results: A total of 89 families (155 adults; 156 children) from the suburb of Copenhagen, Denmark, participated in the study (February-July 2018). A total of 291 (94%) participants completed the intervention. Results presented are preliminary.

Intention to treat analyses showed no significant effects of the salt reduction intervention on changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, plasma triglyceride. A small, but significant (-0.26 mmol/l; P = 0.02) decrease in total plasma cholesterol was shown in intervention group A. A similar, but non-significant, tendency was found in intervention group B. (more results will follow).

Subgroup analyses, including only participants in the intervention groups that decreased their salt intake by at least 20% from baseline to 4-month follow-up, showed a significant decrease in diastolic (-3.5 mmHg; P < 0.0001) and systolic (-6.3 mmHg; P < 0.0001) blood pressure, total plasma cholesterol (-0.25 mmol/l; P = 0.0009), LDL plasma cholesterol (logarithm transformed) (-6%; P = 0.03) and plasma triglyceride (logarithm transformed) (-17%; P = 0.04). No significant effects were found for HDL plasma cholesterol, aldosterone, renin, plasma glucose and HbA1c.

Conclusion: Reduced salt intake were associated with beneficial changes in cardiovascular risk factors. No adverse effects were observed.
Motivational and cognitive factors linked to community integration in homeless veterans: study 1 – individuals with psychotic disorders
Authors: Green Michael F. , Wynn Jonathan K. , Gabrielian Sonya , Hellemann Gerhard , Horan William P. , Kern Robert S. , Lee Junghee , Marder Stephen R. , Sugar Catherine A.
Published: June 2020

Background

Little is known about the determinants of community integration (i.e. recovery) for individuals with a history of homelessness, yet such information is essential to develop targeted interventions.

Methods

We recruited homeless Veterans with a history of psychotic disorders and evaluated four domains of correlates of community integration: perception, non-social cognition, social cognition, and motivation. Baseline assessments occurred after participants were engaged in supported housing services but before they received housing, and again after 12 months. Ninety-five homeless Veterans with a history of psychosis were assessed at baseline and 53 returned after 12 months. We examined both cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships with 12-month community integration.

Results

The strongest longitudinal association was between a baseline motivational measure and social integration at 12 months. We also observed cross-sectional associations at baseline between motivational measures and community integration, including social, work, and independent living. Cross-lagged panel analyses did not suggest causal associations for the motivational measures. Correlations with perception and non-social cognition were weak. One social cognition measure showed a significant longitudinal correlation with independent living at 12 months that was significant for cross-lagged analysis, consistent with a causal relationship and potential treatment target.

Conclusions

The relatively selective associations for motivational measures differ from what is typically seen in psychosis, in which all domains are associated with community integration. These findings are presented along with a partner paper (Study 2) to compare findings from this study to an independent sample without a history of psychotic disorders to evaluate the consistency in findings regarding community integration across projects.
English spelling: Beyond the rules of spelling shun-words
Authors: Achiri-Taboh Blasius
Published: June 2020

As is well known, English spelling is a major problem even to native speakers. In Achiri-Taboh (2018a), I present arguments for a synchronic base-word-based rule for the spelling of shun-words, given the notoriously troubling variation in the spelling of their ending as underlined here in words like fraction, dictation, equation, and persuasion (with a t-form) and extension, collision, and expression (with an s-form). My (2018a) rule is summarized as follows:

(1)

The Base-Word-Based (BWB) rule for spelling ‘shun’:

Use -tion everywhere except when X (X = any of the 7 conditions)

See Achiri-Taboh (2018a) for the 7 conditions.
What we talk about when we talk about Jerusalem: The duty of non-recognition and the prospects for peace after the US embassy’s relocation to the Holy City
Authors: Pertile Marco , Faccio Sondra
Published: June 2020

The article addresses the legality of the relocation of the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in light of the duty of non-recognition and the international consensus on the two-state solution. Analysing the massive reaction of states to the United States administration’s decision, the article takes stock of the practice on the status of Jerusalem and on the Israeli-Palestinian issue more broadly. The authors conclude that the almost unanimous negative reaction of states and their commitment to the two-state solution will remain a dead letter if the solution to the crisis is left to a future bilateral agreement.
The Role of Motivation and Academic Wellbeing – the Transition from Secondary to Further Education in STEM in Finland
Authors: Salmela-Aro Katariina
Published: June 2020

The transition from secondary education to tertiary education is challenging in Finland. Some of the key challenges are related to the competition rates in upper secondary education, gap years, low motivation towards STEM fields and a highly selective admission system to tertiary education; many opt out of STEM fields. In the current article, I approach these challenges in the context of expectancy-value-cost theory taking both a variable and person-oriented approach. Taking a variable-oriented approach we have identified that students’ interest in STEM subjects decreases during secondary education. Taking a person-oriented approach, we can identify three different subgroups. The person-oriented approach reveals that 50% of the students show a decreasing interest in all subjects during secondary education. Additionally, we can identify two gendered pathways. One trajectory is more typical among males; for this group the interest in mathematics increases during secondary education. The other trajectory is more typical for females; with them, interest in mathematics decreases during secondary education while at the same time their interest in languages increases. When these groups are followed later on we can identify that those in the group in which interest in mathematics increases are more likely to pursue studies and to find employment in STEM fields compared with those in the group in which interest towards languages increased. In addition, we could identify four gendered motivational orientations towards work and education after the transition from secondary education: those interested in income (more males), those looking for future prospects, those combining work and family (more females), and those interested in society (more females). Recently, we have developed an intervention programme to promote interest and pathways towards STEM, which I will present as a way to bridge the transition from secondary to further education in STEM.
Natural language generation: The commercial state of the art in 2020
Authors: Dale Robert
Published: June 2020

It took a while, but natural language generation is now an established commercial software category. It’s commented upon frequently in both industry media and the mainstream press, and businesses are willing to pay hard cash to take advantage of the technology. We look at who’s active in the space, the nature of the technology that’s available today and where things might go in the future.
Investigating the early phase of the galaxy evolution through high-z damped Lyα absorption systems
Authors: Ogura Kazuyuki , Nagao Tohru , Imanishi Masatoshi , Kashikawa Nobunari , Taniguchi Yoshiaki , Kajisawa Masaru , Kobayashi Masakazu A. R. , Toba Yoshiki
Published: June 2020

We present the physical properties of Lyα emitters (LAEs) in a “DLA-concentrated regions” where there are 3 or more DLA within (50 Mpc)3 cubic box. We observed LAEs in a DLA-concentrated region at z = 2.3, the J1230+34 field, with Subaru/Suprime-Cam. In the 50 Mpc scale, we found no deferences in properties of LAEs such as Lyα luminosity function in the DLA-concentrated region compared to other fields at similar redshift. On the other hand, we found a ∼10 Mpc scale LAE overdensity around a strong DLA with NHI = 1021.08 cm−2.
A MUSE inquiry into the physical processes taking place within the Abell 2667 Brightest Cluster Galaxy
Authors: Iani E. , Rodighiero G. , Fritz J. , Cresci G. , Mancini C. , Tozzi P. , Rodríguez-Muñoz L. , Rosati P. , Caminha G. B. , Berta S. , Cassata P. , Concas A. , Enia A. , Fadda D. , Franceschini A. , Liu A. , Mercurio A. , Morselli L. , Pérez-González P. G. , Popesso P. , Sabatini G. , Zanella A.
Published: June 2020

Brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) residing in cool-core clusters are known to be the stage of intricate baryon cycle phenomena (e.g. gas inflows, AGN outflows, star formation feedback). The scenarios describing the observed properties of these galaxies are still controversial, suffering from limitations due to the spatial resolving power of the instruments, specifically for galaxies beyond the Local Universe. However, the dramatic improvements introduced by the integral-field unit instruments (e.g. MUSE) could shed light on the physical processes driving the evolution of these galaxies. We present an extensive analysis of the stellar and gas properties (i.e. kinematics, stellar mass, star formation rate) of the radio-loud BCG sitting at the centre of the X-ray luminous cool-core cluster Abell 2667 (z = 0.23), based on MUSE data. Our results indicate that the BCG is a massive elliptical, hosting an AGN that is possibly undergoing accretion of cold star-forming clouds of ICM or galactic cannibalism.
Galactic outflows in star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 6 studied with deep UV spectra and ALMA emission line
Authors: Sugahara Yuma , Ouchi Masami , Harikane Yuichi , Bouché Nicolas , Mitchell Peter D. , Blaizot Jérémy
Published: June 2020

We present a velocity of galactic outflows in star-forming galaxies at the highest redshift, z ∼ 6, so far studied with metal absorption lines. Absorption-line studies of galactic outflows need well-determined redshifts, but there are few strong emission lines in the observed-frame optical spectra of galaxies at high redshifts. In this work, we use the systemic redshifts determined by the ALMA [CII]158 μm emission lines. The sample consists of seven Lyman break galaxies at 5.1 < z < 5.7 whose Keck/DEIMOS and ALMA data are available in the archive. The outflow maximum velocity (νmax) is estimated by a fitting of line profiles to metal absorption lines in a composite spectrum. We find that νmax monotonically increases from z ∼ 0 to 6 and that νmax tightly correlates with the halo circular velocity estimated from the stellar mass.
X-ray spectral model from clumpy torus and its application to Circinus galaxy
Authors: Tanimoto Atsushi
Published: June 2020

We construct an X-ray spectral model for the clumpy torus in an active galactic nucleus (AGN), utilizing the Monte Carlo simulation for Astrophysics and Cosmology framework (MONACO: Odaka et al.2016). The geometry of the torus is the same as that in Nenkova et al. (2008), which assumes a power law distribution of clumps in the radial direction and a normal distribution in the elevation direction. We apply our model to the broadband X-ray spectrum of the Circinus galaxy observed with XMM-Newton, Suzaku, and NuSTAR. Our model can well reproduce the observed X-ray spectrum, yielding a hydrogen column density along the line-of-sight ${N_{\rm{H}}^{\rm{LOS}}} = 4.86_{ - 0.04}^{ + 0.07} \times {10^{24}}$ cm−2 and a torus angular width ${sigma = 14.7_{ - 0.39}^{ + 0.44}}$ degree.
A hierarchical bayesian dust SED model and its application to the nearby universe
Authors: Galliano Frédéric
Published: June 2020

In this paper, I review several dust evolution studies based on the DustPedia nearby galaxy sample. I first present the dust spectral energy distribution model, implementing a hierarchical Bayesian method, that we have developed. I then discuss the dust evolution trends we have derived among (integrated) and within (resolved) galaxies. In particular, we show that the trend of dust-to-gas ratio with metallicity is clearly non-linear, indicating the need for grain growth in the interstellar medium. Our trend is closer to the one derived with damped Lyα systems than what was suggested by previous studies. We finally demonstrate the universal processing of small amorphous carbon grains by stellar photons.
The environment of large equivalent width Lyα emitters at z ∼ 3
Authors: Kida Arisa , Kikuta Satoshi , Matsuda Yuichi
Published: June 2020

We present the environmental properties of a sample of 260 Lyα emitters (LAEs) with extremely large equivalent widths (EW0 > 240 Å) at z ∼ 3. Such large EW LAEs may be very low-metal / young starbursts in void regions or Hi gas /galaxies illuminated by ionizing radiation from the QSO. We undertook Subaru/HSC Lyα imaging observations around a hyper luminous QSO at z = 2.84. We identified 3490 LAEs including 260 large EW LAEs. We found that the large EW LAEs tend to lie at galaxy over-dense regions surrounding the QSO, suggesting that most of the large EW LAEs are illuminated by the QSO. From the radial distribution of the large EW LAEs from the QSO, we found that the fraction of large EW LAE shows two excesses in the range of 2 to 5 Mpc and 14 to 16 Mpc from the QSO. If the two peaks are reflected with the QSO activity, the QSO should have episodic lifetimes with ∼10 Myr duration and ∼30 Myr separations. However, we require future spectroscopic observations to investigate if the large EW LAEs far from the QSO are low-metal young starbursts.
Evolution histories of massive galaxies at z∼2 over the past 3 Gyr
Authors: Morishita T. , Abramson L. E. , Treu T. , Brammer G. B. , Jones T. , Kelly P. , Stiavelli M. , Trenti M. , Vulcani B. , Wang X.
Published: June 2020

We study star formation and metallicity enrichment histories of 24 massive galaxies at 1.6 < z < 2.5. Deep slitless spectroscopy + imaging data set collected from multiple HST surveys allows robust determination of their SEDs. Our new SED modeling with no functional assumptions on star formation histories revels that 1. most of the sample galaxies have already formed >50% of their extant masses ∼1.5 Gyr before the time of observed redshifts, with a trend where more massive galaxies form earlier, 2. most of our galaxies already have stellar metallicities compatible with those of local early-type galaxies, and 3. inferred metallicities are on average ∼ 0.25 dex higher than observed gas-phase metallicities of star forming galaxies at the time of their formation. Continuation of low-level star formation, rather than abrupt termination of star forming activity, may explain the observed gap of metallicities.
Bayesian discrimination of the panchromatic spectral energy distribution modelings of galaxies
Authors: Han Yunkun , Han Zhanwen , Fan Lulu
Published: June 2020

Fitting the multi-wavelength spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of galaxies is a widely used technique to extract information about the physical properties of galaxies. However, a major difficulty lies in the numerous uncertainties regarding almost all ingredients of the SED modeling of galaxies. The Bayesian methods provide a consistent conceptual basis for dealing with the problem of inference with many uncertainties. While the Bayesian parameter estimation method have become quite popular in the field of SED fitting of galaxies, the Bayesian model comparison method, which is based on the same Bayes’ rule, is still not widely used in this field. With the application of Bayesian model comparison method in a series of papers, we show that the results obtained with Bayesian model comparison are understandable in the context of stellar/galaxy physics. These results indicate that Bayesian model comparison is a reliable and very powerful method for the SED fitting of galaxies.
The diagnostic power of radio spectra from star-forming galaxies
Authors: Murphy Eric J.
Published: June 2020

Radio continuum emission from galaxies is powered by a combination of distinct physical processes, each providing unique diagnostic information. Over frequencies spanning ∼ 1–120 GHz, radio spectra of star-forming galaxies are primarily comprised of: (1) non-thermal synchrotron emission powered by accelerated cosmic-ray electrons/positrons; (2) free-free emission from young massive star-forming (H ii) regions; (3) anomalous microwave emission, which is a dominant, but completely unconstrained, foreground in cosmic microwave background experiments; and (4) cold, thermal dust emission that accounts for most of the dust and total mass content in the interstellar medium in galaxies. In this proceeding, we discuss these key energetic processes that contribute to the radio emission from star-forming galaxies, with an emphasis on frequencies ≳30 GHz, where current investigations of star formation within nearby galaxies show that the free-free emission begins to dominate over non-thermal synchrotron emission. We also discuss how planned radio facilities that will access these frequencies, such as a next-generation Very Large Array (ngVLA), will be transformative to our understanding of the star formation process in galaxies.
Going beyond galaxy ages with dense basis star formation history reconstruction
Authors: Iyer Kartheik G. , Gawiser Eric
Published: June 2020

Panchromatic SED fitting allows us to better resolve degeneracies between quantities like the star formation rate and dust. This in turn allows us to more robustly extract information about the different stellar populations that comprise a galaxy’s Star Formation History (SFH). Using the Dense Basis SED fitting method (Iyer & Gawiser 2017), we reconstruct the SFHs with uncertainties for a large sample of galaxies using an atlas of SEDs corresponding to a physically motivated basis of SFHs. Using Gaussian Process Regression, we encode the parameters describing these SFHs in a functionally independent form. This give us more robust estimates for quantities like Stellar Masses and Star Formation Rates, that directly depend on the SFH. These SFHs can additionally be used to answer questions like the time at which a galaxy’s star formation peaked, and how many major episodes of star formation occurred in a galaxy’s past, allowing us to go beyond the traditionally estimated ‘Galaxy Age’, which is often poorly constrained. They also allow us to probe the high-redshift low-stellar mass regime of the SFR-M* correlation by constructing trajectories in SFR-M* space for each galaxy.