The Development of a Feeding Coparenting Scale for Japanese Parents of Fifth- and Sixth-Grade Elementary School Children

Aim: Recently, the role of feeding coparenting has gained attention in the child eating research field. The Feeding Coparenting Scale (FCS), a measure of how caregivers interact with their partners when feeding their children was developed in the United States in 2019. However, there is no valid and reliable measure to assess feeding coparenting among caregivers of school-aged children in Japan. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the FCS (FCS-J) questionnaire for caregivers with school-aged children. Methods: This was a web-based cross-sectional survey completed by caregivers of children aged 10-12 years. A preliminary survey using interviews and a web-based survey was conducted and found that the translated items of the FCS into Japanese were understandable to Japanese people. The developed survey was administered to parents of children at an elementary school. The reliability of the survey was assessed using both test-retest reliability and internal consistency analysis. Exploratory factor analysis was used to test construct validity, and known population validity was examined in relation to attributes, marital satisfaction, and feeding tasks. Results: Findings with 135 parents of school-aged children showed good internal reliability and validity of the FCS-J. The mean score for the overall FCS-J score was 46.2 (SD = 6.2), with Cronbach’s α of 0.72. For the subscales, Cronbach’s α ranged from 0.75 to 0.79. In sum, the present study’s results support the three-factor structure of the FCS in Japanese caregivers in Japan. Conclusions: The developed FCS-J was found to have a certain degree of reliability and validity. In this study, a Japanese version of the FCS-J was developed. .

基于多尺度Scale-Unet的单样本图像翻译

随着生成对抗网络(GAN)的发展,基于单样本的无监督图像到图像翻译(UI2I)取得了重大进展。然而,以前方法无法捕获图像中的复杂纹理并保留原始内容信息。为解决这个问题,提出了一种基于尺度可变U-Net结构(Scale—Unet)的新型单样本图像翻译结构SUGAN。所提出的SUGAN使用Scale—Unet作为生成器,利用多尺度结构和渐进方法不断改进网络结构,以从粗到细地学习图像特征。同时,提出了尺度像素损失scale-pixel来更好地约束保留原始内容信息,防止信息丢失。实验表明,与SinGAN、TuiGAN、TSIT、StyTR2等公共数据集Summer■Winter、Horse■Zebra上的方法相比,该方法生成图像的SIFID值平均降低了30%。所提方法可更好地保留图像内容信息,同时生成详细逼真的高质量图像。

The Effects of Different Feeding Practices on the Nutritional Status of Infants below 12 Months Old in the Kumba 1 Sub-Division

Appropriate feeding practices are important during infancy for good health, growth and development of infants and children. WHO revised its earlier recommendation of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) of infants from 4 to 6 months of age to EBF until about 6 months of age, with the addition of complementary foods thereafter. This recommendation confirms that breast milk alone is sufficient to meet infants’ nutritional requirements for the first 6 months of life. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of various feeding practices on the Nutritional status of infants 0 - 12-month-old in the Kumba 1 Sub-Division. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to August 2020. A total of 341 nursing mothers and their infants 0 - 12 months of age were recruited. Socio-demographic factors and the different feeding habits of the children were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements. The overall proportion of infants who exclusively breastfed for 6 months was 69.2% and those who were mix-fed were 30.8% in the study area. The overall prevalence of malnutrition in the population was 61.0%. Among the malnourished children, 53.1% were underweight, 19.6% were wasted and 10.0% were stunted. Though not significant, the prevalence of wasting (21.0%) and underweight (58.3%) was higher among Mix-Fed (MF) children when compared to their EBF counterparts. Feeding practices affected the nutritional status of the infants. Underweight and wasting were observed among infants on Complementary Feeding (CF), although some exclusively breast-fed infants were stunted. Hence, nursing mothers should try as much as possible to practice EBF as recommended by WHO and can practice CF when the child is above six months.

Uncertainties of landslide susceptibility prediction:influences of different study area scales and mapping unit scales

This study aims to investigate the effects of different mapping unit scales and study area scales on the uncertainty rules of landslide susceptibility prediction(LSP).To illustrate various study area scales,Ganzhou City in China,its eastern region(Ganzhou East),and Ruijin County in Ganzhou East were chosen.Different mapping unit scales are represented by grid units with spatial resolution of 30 and 60 m,as well as slope units that were extracted by multi-scale segmentation method.The 3855 landslide locations and 21 typical environmental factors in Ganzhou City are first determined to create spatial datasets with input-outputs.Then,landslide susceptibility maps(LSMs)of Ganzhou City,Ganzhou East and Ruijin County are pro-duced using a support vector machine(SVM)and random forest(RF),respectively.The LSMs of the above three regions are then extracted by mask from the LSM of Ganzhou City,along with the LSMs of Ruijin County from Ganzhou East.Additionally,LSMs of Ruijin at various mapping unit scales are generated in accordance.Accuracy and landslide suscepti-bility indexes(LSIs)distribution are used to express LSP uncertainties.The LSP uncertainties under grid units significantly decrease as study area scales decrease from Ganzhou City,Ganzhou East to Ruijin County,whereas those under slope units are less affected by study area scales.Of course,attentions should also be paid to the broader representativeness of large study areas.The LSP accuracy of slope units increases by about 6%–10%compared with those under grid units with 30 m and 60 m resolution in the same study area's scale.The significance of environmental factors exhibits an averaging trend as study area scale increases from small to large.The importance of environmental factors varies greatly with the 60 m grid unit,but it tends to be consistent to some extent in the 30 m grid unit and the slope unit.

Heart Failure-Like Reaction Is Likely Involved in the Feeding Behaviour of Blood-Sucking Leeches

Medicinal leeches have been utilized in therapy for thousands of years. However, the adaptation physiology between leeches and hosts is not fully understand. To disclose the molecular mechanisms of adaptation between leech and host, the body transcriptomes of hunger and fed blood-sucking Poecilobdella javanica, Haemadipsa cavatuses, and Hirudo nipponia leeches were obtained by RNA sequencing, after comparison, a stratified unigenes group was obtained, which closely correlated to body distension. In the group, Rfamide receptor decreased significantly (P < 0.05) while serotonin receptor increased significantly (P < 0.05). Moreover, four KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways, including cardiac muscle contraction, complement and coagulation cascades, renin-angiotensin system, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were significantly enriched. The unigenes annotation, neuroregulators correlation analysis and induced function of the KEGG pathways, were consistently supported the same result as: vasoconstriction and systole reaction enhance in hunger leeches and vice versa vasodilation and diastole increase in fed leeches, meanwhile, Interspecific comparison and correlative analyses of physiological function showed that the strongest reaction of induced heart failure from four KEGG occur in strongest reaction of systole in hungry P. javanica and in strongest reaction of diastole in fed H. nipponia. Overall, heart failure is likely a physiological function involved in feeding behaviour.

Rate-limiting factors in hydrate decomposition through depressurization across various scales:A mini-review

Natural gas hydrate is an energy resource for methane that has a carbon quantity twice more than all traditional fossil fuels combined.However,their practical application in the field has been limited due to the challenges of long-term preparation,high costs and associated risks.Experimental studies,on the other hand,offer a safe and cost-effective means of exploring the mechanisms of hydrate dissociation and optimizing exploitation conditions.Gas hydrate decomposition is a complicated process along with intrinsic kinetics,mass transfer and heat transfer,which are the influencing factors for hydrate decomposition rate.The identification of the rate-limiting factor for hydrate dissociation during depressurization varies with the scale of the reservoir,making it challenging to extrapolate findings from laboratory experiments to the actual exploitation.This review aims to summarize current knowledge of investigations on hydrate decomposition on the subject of the research scale(core scale,middle scale,large scale and field tests)and to analyze determining factors for decomposition rate,considering the various research scales and their associated influencing factors.

High Sensitivity Submicron Scale Temperature Sensor Based on Perovskite Nanoplatelet Lasers

Submicron scale temperature sensors are crucial for a range of applications,particularly in micro and na-noscale environments.One promising solution involves the use of active whispering gallery mode(WGM)microresonators.These resonators can be remotely excited and read out using free-space structures,simplifying the process of sensing.In this study,we present a submicron-scale temperature sensor with a remarkable sensitivity up to 185 pm/℃based on a trian-gular MAPbI3 nanoplatelet(NPL)laser.Notably,as temperature changes,the peak wavelength of the laser line shifts lin-early.This unique characteristic allows for precise temperature sensing by tracking the peak wavelength of the NPL laser.The optical modes are confined within the perovskite NPL,which measures just 85 nm in height,due to total internal reflec-tion.Our NPL laser boasts several key features,including a high Q of~2610 and a low laser threshold of about 19.8μJ·cm^(−2).The combination of exceptional sensitivity and ultra-small size makes our WGM device an ideal candidate for integration into systems that demand compact temperature sensors.This advancement paves the way for significant prog-ress in the development of ultrasmall temperature sensors,opening new possibilities across various fields.

Feeding Practices and Use of Lysine and Methionine in Pigrationing on Intensified Pig Breeding in the West Center and Hauts Bassins Regions of Burkina Faso

The aim of the study was to assess feeding practices and the use of lysine and methionine in pig rationing on intensified and semi-intensive pig breeding in the Koudougou and Bobo-Dioulasso areas. To this end, a cross-sectional survey was carried out on 87 breeding in these towns. A Discriminant Factorial Analysis (DFA) confirming a k-means classification of the data collected was used to retain 71 breeding divided into three breeding classes: Class A (32.4% of breeding), Class B (14.08%) and Class C (53.52%). The results show that the majority of pig breeders were men between the ages of 36 and 59. Average herd sizes were 35 ± 28;79 ± 42 and 89 ± 21 pigs for Classes A, B and C respectively. The main breeds of pig found on the breeding were crossbred, Large white, local, Landrace and Duroc. Class A (26.1%), B (30%) and C (15.8%) breeders were familiar with both lysine and methionine. Class A breeders distributed feed staggered (65.2%) and in rations (34.8%). Lysine (13%) and methionine (8.7%) were purchased at 5250 FCFA/kg. Those in class B distributed feed staggered (50%) and in the form of rations (50%), in which they incorporated lysine (30%) and methionine (30%) purchased at a cost of 2500 FCFA/kg and 3000 FCFA/kg respectively. Rationing and staggered feeding were practiced by 23.7% and 76.3% of Class C breeders respectively. Only lysine purchased at 3400 FCFA/kg was incorporated into rations by 10.5% of breeders. The high cost of lysine and methionine was incriminated by Class A (100%), B (33.3%) and C (50%) breeders. In conclusion, intensive pig breeding, the practice of rationing and the incorporation of the amino acids lysine and methionine are of ascending importance from classes C, A to B. The high cost of feedstuffs, particularly lysine and methionine, compromises their use in rations, which could have a negative impact on expected breeding performance. The screening and use of feeds rich in and/or enriched with these amino acids, through the development or adaptation of technologies, could improve the efficiency of rations and the productivity of intensive pig breeding in Burkina Faso.

Benefits of jejunostomy feeding in patients who underwent gastrectomy for cancer treatment

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is associated with significant undernutrition responsible for an increase in morbidity and mortality after gastrectomy.AIM To evaluate the impact of enteral nutrition by jejunostomy feeding in patients undergoing gastrectomy for cancer.METHODS Between 2003 and 2017,all patients undergoing gastrectomy for cancer treatment were included retrospectively.A group with jejunostomy(J+group)and a group without jejunostomy(J-group)were compared.RESULTS Of the 172 patients included,60 received jejunostomy.Preoperatively,the two groups were comparable with respect to the nutritional parameters studied(body mass index,albumin,etc.).In the postoperative period,the J+group lost less weight and albumin:5.74±8.4 vs 9.86±7.5 kg(P=0.07)and 7.2±5.6 vs 14.7±12.7 g/L(P=0.16),respectively.Overall morbidity was 25%in the J+group and 36.6%in the J-group(P=0.12).The J+group had fewer respiratory,infectious,and grade 3 complications:0%vs 5.4%(P=0.09),1.2%vs 9.3%(P=0.03),and 0%vs 4.7%(P=0.05),respectively.The 30-day mortality was 6.7%in the J+group and 6.3%in the J-group(P=0.91).CONCLUSION Jejunostomy feeding after gastrectomy improves nutritional characteristics and decreases postoperative morbidity.A prospective study could confirm our results.

A real-time performance improvement method for composite time scale

The composite time scale(CTS)provides a stable,accurate,and reliable time scale for modern society.The improvement of CTS’s real-time performance will improve its stability,which strengths related applications’performance.Aiming at this goal,a method achieved by determining the optimal calculation interval and accelerating adjustment stage is proposed in this paper.The determinants of the CTS’s calculation interval(characteristics of the clock ensemble,the measurement noise,the time and frequency synchronization system’s noise and the auxiliary output generator noise floor)are studied and the optimal calculation interval is obtained.We also investigate the effect of ensemble algorithm’s initial parameters on the CTS’s adjustment stage.A strategy to get the reasonable initial parameters of ensemble algorithm is designed.The results show that the adjustment stage can be finished rapidly or even can be shorten to zero with reasonable initial parameters.On this basis,we experimentally generate a distributed CTS with a calculation interval of 500 s and its stability outperforms those of the member clocks when the averaging time is longer than1700 s.The experimental result proves that the CTS’s real-time performance is significantly improved.

Multi-scale design of silicon/carbon composite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries:A review

Silicon/carbon composites,which integrate the high lithium storage performance of silicon with the exceptional mechanical strength and conductivity of carbon,will replace the traditional graphite electrodes for high-energy lithium-ion batteries.Various strategies have been designed to synthesize silicon/carbon composites for tackling the issues of anode pulverization and poor stability in the anodes,thereby improving the lithium storage ability.The effect of the regulation method at each scale on the final negative electrode performance remains unclear.However,it has not been fully clarified how the regulation methods at each scale influence the final anode performance.This review will categorize the materials structure into three scales:molecular scale,nanoscale,and microscale.First,the review will examine modification methods at the molecular scale,focusing on the interfacial bonding force between silicon and carbon.Next,it will summarize various nanostructures and special shapes in the nanoscale to explore the construction of silicon/carbon composites.Lastly,the review will provide an analysis of microscale control approaches,focusing on the formation of composite particle with micron size and the utilization of micro-Si.This review provides a comprehensive overview of the multi-scale design of silicon/carbon composite anode materials and their optimization strategies to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries.

Scale-space effect and scale hybridization in image intelligent recognition of geological discontinuities on rock slopes

Geological discontinuity(GD)plays a pivotal role in determining the catastrophic mechanical failure of jointed rock masses.Accurate and efficient acquisition of GD networks is essential for characterizing and understanding the progressive damage mechanisms of slopes based on monitoring image data.Inspired by recent advances in computer vision,deep learning(DL)models have been widely utilized for image-based fracture identification.The multi-scale characteristics,image resolution and annotation quality of images will cause a scale-space effect(SSE)that makes features indistinguishable from noise,directly affecting the accuracy.However,this effect has not received adequate attention.Herein,we try to address this gap by collecting slope images at various proportional scales and constructing multi-scale datasets using image processing techniques.Next,we quantify the intensity of feature signals using metrics such as peak signal-to-noise ratio(PSNR)and structural similarity(SSIM).Combining these metrics with the scale-space theory,we investigate the influence of the SSE on the differentiation of multi-scale features and the accuracy of recognition.It is found that augmenting the image's detail capacity does not always yield benefits for vision-based recognition models.In light of these observations,we propose a scale hybridization approach based on the diffusion mechanism of scale-space representation.The results show that scale hybridization strengthens the tolerance of multi-scale feature recognition under complex environmental noise interference and significantly enhances the recognition accuracy of GD.It also facilitates the objective understanding,description and analysis of the rock behavior and stability of slopes from the perspective of image data.

Scale effect removal and range migration correction for hypersonic target coherent detection

The detection of hypersonic targets usually confronts range migration(RM)issue before coherent integration(CI).The traditional methods aiming at correcting RM to obtain CI mainly considers the narrow-band radar condition.However,with the increasing requirement of far-range detection,the time bandwidth product,which is corresponding to radar’s mean power,should be promoted in actual application.Thus,the echo signal generates the scale effect(SE)at large time bandwidth product situation,influencing the intra and inter pulse integration performance.To eliminate SE and correct RM,this paper proposes an effective algorithm,i.e.,scaled location rotation transform(ScLRT).The ScLRT can remove SE to obtain the matching pulse compression(PC)as well as correct RM to complete CI via the location rotation transform,being implemented by seeking the actual rotation angle.Compared to the traditional coherent detection algorithms,Sc LRT can address the SE problem to achieve better detection/estimation capabilities.At last,this paper gives several simulations to assess the viability of ScLRT.

Early selective enteral feeding in treatment of acute pancreatitis: A case report

BACKGROUND Early initiation of enteral feeding is recognized to play a crucial role in improving the outcomes of treatment of acute pancreatitis.However,the method of adminis-tration of enteral nutrition remains debatable.We present the experience of treating a patient with moderate-severe acute pancreatitis,at high risk of progressing to a severe or fatal condition,using a novel method of selective feeding with duodenal isolation.CASE SUMMARY A 27-year-old female patient presented to the emergency unit of the hospital with a typical manifestation of acute pancreatitis.Despite a conventional treatment,the patient’s condition deteriorated by day 2 of hospitalization.Using an endoscopic approach,a novel catheter PandiCathffwas placed to the duodenum of the patient,isolating its segment between the duodenal bulb and the ligament of Treitz.In the isolated area created,a negative pressure was applied,followed by introduction of early selective enteral feeding.The patient’s condition subsequently improved in a rapid manner,and no complications often associated with moderate-to-severe acute pancreatitis developed.CONCLUSION Within 48 h of starting treatment with the novel method,it can prevent the development of multiple organ failure and,when combined with minimally invasive drainage methods,help prevent infection.

Validity,Reliability,and Measurement Invariance of the Thai Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale

Background:In recent years,there has been increased research interest in both smartphone addiction and social media addiction as well as the development of psychometric instruments to assess these constructs.However,there is a lack of psychometric evaluation for instruments assessing smartphone addiction and social media addiction in Thailand.The present study evaluated the psychometric properties and gender measurement invariance of the Thai version of the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale(SABAS)and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale(BSMAS).Method:A total of 801 Thai university students participated in an online survey from January 2022 to July 2022 which included demographic information,SABAS,BSMAS,and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form(IGDS9-SF).Results:Confirmatory Factor Analyses(CFAs)found that both the SABAS and BSMAS had a one-factor structure.Findings demonstrated adequate psychometric properties of both instruments and also supported measurement invariance across genders.Moreover,scores on the SABAS and BSMAS were correlated with scores on the IGDS9-SF.Conclusion:The results indicated that the SABAS and BSMAS are useful psychometric instruments for assessing the risk of smartphone addiction and social media addiction among Thai young adults.

Surface and Content Validity of an Advanced Beginner Nurse’s Self-Monitoring Scale While Multitasking

Background: Self-monitoring is important for recognizing the situations one is facing and assessing one’s own competence to respond appropriately to situations that require multitasking. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the surface and content validity of the Advanced Beginner Nurses’ Self-Monitoring Scale While Multitasking and refine the scale items accordingly. It is expected that the development of such scale will allow for reflection on advanced beginner nurses’ response to multitasking, leading to further capacity building. Methods: The surface validity of 96 items of the Advanced Beginner Nurses’ Self-Monitoring Scale While Multitasking was examined at a meeting with five expert researchers. Five researchers and five nurses examined the items’ content using an item-level content validity index through a questionnaire survey. Results and Conclusion: The Advanced Beginner Nurses’ Self-Monitoring Scale While Multitasking was organized into 73 items that were refined into scales with surface and content validity. Consequently, five sub-concepts were identified: recognizing the situation one’s facing, seeing one’s self from multiple perspectives, devising concrete strategies depending on the situation, considering a predictable time schedule, and being aware of the situation surrounding one’s self. In the future, it will be necessary to examine the reliability and validity of the scale.

Scale offers the possibility of identifying adherence to lifestyle interventions in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common chronic liver disorder,and dietary and lifestyle interventions remain the mainstays of NAFLD therapy.Zeng et al established a prediction system to evaluate adherence to lifestyle interventions in patients with NAFLD and choose optimal management.Here,we discuss the application scenarios of the scale and the areas warranting further attention,aiming to provide a possible reference for clinical recommend-ations.

Water as a Standard Substance of a Logarithmic Poison Scale

The lethal dose LD50 represents the most important experimental value for acute toxicity. The simple logarithmic calculation of -log10 LD50 = value leads to the possible poison power pLD. As with the pH or pK value, respectively, for acid or the scale of earthquake intensities the logarithm helps making large differences of orders of magnitude easier to understand since they are more comparable. The higher the pLD value, the higher is the power of poison. An increase of the pLD value by 1 stands for a tenfold increase in toxicity. The lethal acute dose for water, one of the most important and at the same time non-toxic substances of all, is about one tenth of the body weight. This leads to a possible pLD value for water of 1, an ideal starting value for a logarithmic poison scale.

Performance Improvement of Kenaf/Glass Polymer Hybrid Composites by Effective Application of Fish Scale Powder as Filler:A Novel Approach

Modern technology for developing new items made from renewable resources is becoming more and more popular as a result of rising environmental concern.Recently,contemporary polymer composites have included the hybridization of natural fibers with synthetic ones,along with the inclusion of a variety of biowaste filler for developing sustainable goods.In this work,the kenaf/glass hybrid polyester composites are strengthened by the addition of fish scale(FS),which is taken from the fishs outermost layer of skin.Five different stacked-order laminates,such as KKKK,KGKG,GKKG,KGGK,and GGGG,are fabricated by using the hand lay-up method with four different weight concentrations of filler content:0%,5%,10%,and 15%.Mechanical possessions such as tensile,flexural,impact strength and micro-hardness have been evaluated through experimentation in accordance with ASTM standards.The experimental findings revealed that,the tensile strength and micro-hardness value of KGKG laminates with 15wt% of FS filler are found to be maximum of 118.72 MPa and 17.82 HV respectively which are 39.67%and 26.11%greater than that of KGKG laminates without FS filler.However,the flexural and impact strength of same laminates with 10 wt% FS filler exhibited a maximum value of 142.77 MPa and 62.08 kJ/m^(2).In order to corroborate its applicability for structural and building materials in open environment,the dimensional stability of the composite has been studied through moisture absorption test.The influences of FS filler loading on dimensional stability and resistance to moisture absorption capacity of laminates are also investigated.The experimental results reflected that the addition of FS-filler has significantly improved the dimensional stability of the laminates in moist environment by reducing the moisture absorption tendency.To further support the mode of failures,a fractography investigation of fractured surfaces was conducted.

Characterization of Small-Scale Farmers and Assessment of Their Access to Crop Production Information in Selected Counties of Kenya

Small-scale farming accounts for 78% of total agricultural production in Kenya and contributes to 23.5% of the country’s GDP. Their crop production activities are mostly rainfed subsistence with any surplus being sold to bring in some income. Timely decisions on farm practices such as farm preparation and planting are critical determinants of the seasonal outcomes. In Kenya, most small-scale farmers have no reliable source of information that would help them make timely and accurate decisions. County governments have extension officers who are mandated with giving farmers advisory services to farmers but they are not able to reach most farmers due to facilitation constraints. The mode and format of sharing information is also critical since it’s important to ensure that it’s timely, well-understood and usable. This study sought to assess access to geospatial derived and other crop production information by farmers in four selected counties of Kenya. Specific objectives were to determine the profile of small-scale farmers in terms of age, education and farm size;to determine the type of information that is made available to them by County and Sub-County extension officers including the format and mode of provision;and to determine if the information provided was useful in terms of accuracy, timeliness and adequacy. The results indicated that over 80% of the farmers were over 35 years of age and over 56% were male. Majority had attained primary education (34%) or secondary education (29%) and most farmers in all the counties grew maize (71%). Notably, fellow farmers were a source of information (71%) with the frequency of sharing information being mostly seasonal (37%) and when information was available (43%). Over 66% of interviewed farmers indicating that they faced challenges while using provided information. The results from the study are insightful and helpful in determining effective ways of providing farmers with useful information to ensure maximum benefits.