Changes In Social Behavior Research Articles

Reducing noise with augmented reality in indoor soundscapes

Noise pollution has a significant impact on quality of life. In indoor soundscapes like open offices, noise exposure creates stress that leads to reduced performance, provokes annoyance and changes in social behaviour. The ReNAR project aims at studying two augmented reality approaches, targeted towards additional sound sources which levels are below or equal to the noise sources ones The first approach tend to conceal the presence of unpleasant sources by adding some spectro-temporal cues which will seemingly convert it into a more pleasant one. Adversarial machine learning techniques will be considered to learn correspondences between noise and pleasing sounds and to train a deep audio synthesiser able to generate an effective concealing sound of moderate loudness. The second approach tend to tackle a common issue encountered in open offices, where the ability to concentrate on the task at hand is made harder when people are speaking nearby. We propose to reduce the intelligibility of nearby speech by the addition of sound sources whose spectro-temporal properties are specifically designed or synthesised with a generative model to conceal important aspects of the nearby speech. The formal position, general frame and expected outcomes of the project will be developed and discussed.

Socio-cultural dynamics in community support in post-consumtion plastik waste management: a case study of DKI Jakarta region

Introduction: Population growth in urban areas, fuelled by migration from rural areas, has changed lifestyles and socio-cultural dynamics. The dynamic lifestyle of urban communities changes consumption behaviour so that people prefer practical and economical products. There are fundamental issues that arise in the waste management system in Indonesia, including limited waste management capacity in the regions, inadequate infrastructure, implementation of regulations, and lack of public awareness including the consumer goods manufacturing industry on post-consumption waste management issues. This study aims to understand the perception and level of community participation as well as the role of the informal sector in post-consumption plastic waste management, with a focus on the implementation of the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme. Methods: Data was collected through a questionnaire survey and literature study in five areas of DKI Jakarta. Through the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the manufacturing industry is encouraged to contribute to the management of plastic packaging waste produced. This research uses quantitative and qualitative methods with data analysis using descriptive statistics. Finding: The results show that the community supports EPR-related regulations and is ready to participate in plastic waste management schemes. This positive perception reflects changes in socio-cultural values that prioritise environmental concerns. The informal sector also makes an important contribution to plastic waste reduction, especially through collection, distribution, and processing activities in stalls and waste banks. Community support and the role of the informal sector in plastic waste management reflect changes in social attitudes and behaviours that are increasingly concerned about the environment. Conclusion: Therefore, active involvement in plastic waste reduction initiatives also reflects a cultural change that is increasingly integrated in urban communities.

Perspectives of rural farmer households on food security through a qualitative study in Indonesia

In developing countries, rural farmers contribute significantly to food production, but their households are still vulnerable to poverty, food insecurity, malnutrition, and stunting. Although quantitative studies have explored the factors that influence farmers' dietary diversity, the data can be improved by integrating farmers' experiences and perspectives on whether and how these factors affect their dietary diversity. Malnutrition and food insecurity are more prevalent in developing and underdeveloped nations like Africa and Southeast Asia. Due to increased work, this country usually sees a rise in stunting, malnutrition, and increased physical activity. Stunting has a higher prevalence than other nutritional disorders, such as malnutrition, according to Nutrition Status Monitoring (NSM) data over the last three years. The frequency of stunting in children under five has risen from 27% in 2016 to 29% in 2017. This will assist in designing and implementing interventions. Forty rural farmers in Bone Regency, Indonesia, became informants in targeted interviews as part of the qualitative study (20 male and 20 female farmers). According to the research results, both male and female informants were concerned about the availability and variety of food. They feel that household food production is essential to achieve food security. Food sales are affected by prices, household income, distance to markets, and the range of food available. Household food production, knowledge, nutrition, availability, use of information, time, and household income are significant determinants of the variety of food consumed. In farming households, gender influences and variations on the distribution and use of food collected and income are explored. Men have more time to engage in agricultural endeavors that promote dietary diversity. Based on these findings, efforts to increase dietary diversity should address current food security and production challenges, support increased farm incomes and market access, utilize designs that address gender issues, and include nutrition capacity building, diverse practices, and social behavior change strategies. Key words: rural farmers, food security, food diversity, nutrition, market access, Indonesia

Culture Ethnographic Study of Cafe Consumers

This research is motivated by changes in social habits, ideas and behavior in normal social interactions. Especially in terms of using technology. In cyberspace, people can create any identity or existence they choose, but in reality they feel lonely. This often happens in public places, especially cafes. This research focuses on the phenomenon of cafe consumer behavior who is more focused on gadgets than enjoying the company of colleagues, using a type of ethnographic research that involves description and analysis of linguistic patterns from certain groups of people who have similar cultures. Using a Simple Research Design Method with Triangulation Theory (Rofiah & Bungin, 2021). In the process of collecting data and for socialization, reflections will be captured when they are in a situation without communication. This research was conducted in cafes in Indonesia with certain considerations. This sampling approach aligns with the social dynamics of cafes as diners interact with others to find out their orders. The findings of this research are an Ethnographic Study of Cafe Consumer Culture in Indonesia that Cafe Culture, Focus on Gadgets, Perception, Motivation, Information, Addiction, Filling free time, Peers, Professional, Personal Reasons, Lifestyle, Likes hanging out, Groups.

How using light touch immersion research revealed important insights into the lack of progress in malaria elimination in Eastern Indonesia.

By 2022, the Government of Indonesia had successfully eliminated malaria in 389 out of 514 districts but continues to face a challenge in Eastern Indonesia where 95% of the total 2021 malaria cases were reported from Papua, West Papua and Nusa Tenggara Timur provinces. There is an increased recognition that malaria elimination will require a better understanding of the human behavioural factors hindering malaria prevention and treatment, informed by local context and local practice. This research used a light-touch immersion research approach. Field researchers lived in communities over several days to gather data through informal conversations, group-based discussions using visual tools, participant observation and direct experience. The study was conducted in four high malaria endemic areas in Papua, West Papua, and Sumba Islands in Nusa Tenggara Timur. The research highlights how people's perception of malaria has changed since the introduction of effective treatment which, in turn, has contributed to a casual attitude towards early testing and adherence to malaria treatment. It also confirms that people rarely accept there is a link between mosquitoes and malaria based on their experience but nevertheless take precautions against the annoyance of mosquitoes. There is widespread recognition that babies and small children, elderly and incomers are more likely to be seriously affected by malaria and separately, more troubled by mosquitoes than indigenous adult populations. This is primarily explained by acclimatization and strong immune systems among the latter. Using immersion research enabled behaviour research within a naturalistic setting, which in turn enabled experiential-led analysis of findings and revealed previously unrecognized insights into attitudes towards malaria in Eastern Indonesia. The research provides explanations of people's lack of motivation to consistently use bed nets, seek early diagnosis or complete courses of treatment. The felt concern for the wellbeing of vulnerable populations highlighted during light touch immersion provides an entry point for future social behaviour change communication interventions. Rather than trying to explain transmission to people who deny this connection, the research concludes that it may be better to focus separately on the two problems of malaria and mosquitoes (especially for vulnerable groups) thereby resonating with local people's own experience and felt concerns.

Development of a 3D tracking system for multiple marmosets under free-moving conditions

Assessment of social interactions and behavioral changes in nonhuman primates is useful for understanding brain function changes during life events and pathogenesis of neurological diseases. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), which lives in a nuclear family like humans, is a useful model, but longitudinal automated behavioral observation of multiple animals has not been achieved. Here, we developed a Full Monitoring and Animal Identification (FulMAI) system for longitudinal detection of three-dimensional (3D) trajectories of each individual in multiple marmosets under free-moving conditions by combining video tracking, Light Detection and Ranging, and deep learning. Using this system, identification of each animal was more than 97% accurate. Location preferences and inter-individual distance could be calculated, and deep learning could detect grooming behavior. The FulMAI system allows us to analyze the natural behavior of individuals in a family over their lifetime and understand how behavior changes due to life events together with other data.

Etos ciszy w języku pedagogiki

Aim: The aim of considerations on the language of silence is to enrich the conceptual apparatus of pedagogy in the context of a perspective view of values, directions of development and tasks of education. The language of silence describes spirituality, indicates its essence in education, and the meaning of important defining concepts is necessary and important for spiritual development, reflection on life, and meditation. Method: In understanding and interpreting the concepts defining silence in all its aspects, i.e. both sensual and spiritual, I used the phenomenological method, which allows for a description aimed at getting to know a given phenomenon that occurred in the researcher's consciousness. The phenomenon of silence is described in many ways, but in the pedagogical approach to this phenomenon, it is important to highlight its essence and importance in the upbringing process. Results: The result of the research undertaken is to show the richness of the language of silence that describes these phenomena and to propose the introduction of the language of silence to reconstruct the principles and methods of teaching and upbringing in educational processes. The next projected effects may be empirically perceptible changes in human social behavior. Conclusions: Pedagogy should study the language of silence, both from the perspective of socialization and personalization processes. A teacher who understands and uses the language and symbolism of silence introduces an atmosphere of peace and emotional balance in the upbringing process, so he primarily recognizes the external manifestations of what the "inner" person experiences. Originality: The originality of the presented considerations on the language of silence is expressed in the proposal to introduce this language into the conceptual apparatus of pedagogy as a scientific discipline, and, consequently, to undertake research on the effectiveness of the phenomenon of silence in educational processes. Keywords: silence, phenomenon, language of silence, linguistic communication, upbringing, values

War on Aisle 5: Casualties, National Identity, and Consumer Behavior

A growing body of research argues that external threats from the international system strengthen ethnocentrism and authoritarianism, personal values anchored in national identity. We evaluate a necessary implication of this argument, that these shifting values drive change in broader social behaviors. Our focus is revealed value change in a non-political setting: American consumers’ choice of supermarket brands that symbolize national identity. Our empirical analyses leverage US counties’ quasi-random exposure to US Iraq War casualties to identify the effects of local casualties on the weekly market share growth of “American” supermarket brands. We analyze weekly supermarket scanner data for a representative sample of over 1,100 US supermarkets and 8,000 brands. During 2003-2006, the weekly market share of American brands grew relative to non-American brands in casualty-exposed supermarkets. Variation in share growth across customer demographics is consistent with reactions to external threat. We rule out alternative mechanisms including partisan cues, other product characteristics, and animosity towards other countries. These findings strengthen IR’s theoretical microfoundations by showing that international politics can reshape values enough to change broader social behaviors.

Diagnostic Performance of Socio-Emotional Informant-Based Questionnaires for the Clinical Detection of the Behavioral Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia.

Although social cognitive dysfunction is a major feature of the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), quantitative measurement of social behavior changes is poorly available in clinical settings. The aim of the study is to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of social-emotional questionnaires in distinguishing bvFTD from healthy control (HC) subjects and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. We enrolled 29 bvFTD, 24 AD, and 18 HC subjects matched for age, sex, and education. Two informant-based measures of socio-emotional sensitivity and empathy (i.e., revised Self-Monitoring Scale (rSMS) and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI)) were administered. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare groups, whereas Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis tested questionnaire ability in distinguishing groups. A short version of IRI (sIRI) was obtained by excluding the non-contributing subscale (i.e., personal distress). Compared to HC and AD, bvFTD showed significantly lower scores in rSMS and IRI scores, except for IRI personal distress subscale. The sIRI showed an excellent performance in early diagnosis (bvFTD versus HC = AUC 0.95). Both sIRI and rSMS showed good performance in distinguishing bvFTD from AD (AUC 0.83). ROC analyses support the usefulness of informant social questionnaires in memory clinics and their potential value in screening procedures for research eligibility in forthcoming trials. In the timely diagnosis of bvFTD patients, IRI and rSMS may supply crucial information for the early detection of signs and symptoms affecting social-emotional skills, which might otherwise be underrecognized.

When norm change hurts.

Applied cultural evolution includes any effort to mobilize social learning and cultural evolution to promote behaviour change. Social tipping is one version of this idea based on conformity and coordination. Conformity and coordination can reinforce a harmful social norm, but they can also accelerate change from a harmful norm to a beneficial alternative. Perhaps unfortunately, the link between the size of an intervention and social tipping is complex in heterogeneous populations. A small intervention targeted at one segment of society can induce tipping better than a large intervention targeted at a different segment. We develop and examine two models showing that the link between social tipping and social welfare is also complex in heterogeneous populations. An intervention strategy that creates persistent miscoordination, exactly the opposite of tipping, can lead to higher social welfare than another strategy that leads to tipping. We show that the potential benefits of miscoordination often hinge specifically on the preferences of people most resistant to behaviour change. Altogether, ordinary forms of heterogeneity complicate applied cultural evolution considerably. Heterogeneity weakens both the link between the size of a social planner's intervention and behaviour change and the link between behaviour change and the well-being of society. This article is part of the theme issue 'Social norm change: drivers and consequences'.

Long-lasting effects of COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalizations and severity of bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is a common cause of hospitalization in infants. The long-lasting impact of hygiene and social behavior changes during the pandemic on this disease is debated. We investigated the prevalence of hospitalized cases, clinical severity, and underlying risk factors before and during pandemic. The study was conducted in 27 hospitals in Italy and included infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis during the following four periods: July 2018-March 2019, July 2020-March 2021, July 2021-March 2022, and July 2022-March 2023. Data on demographics, neonatal gestational age, breastfeeding history, underlying chronic diseases, presence of older siblings, etiologic agents, clinical course and outcome were collected. A total of 5330 patients were included in the study. Compared to 2018–19 (n = 1618), the number of hospitalizations decreased in 2020–21 (n = 121). A gradual increase was observed in 2021–22 (n = 1577) and 2022–23 (n = 2014). A higher disease severity (need and length of O2-supplementation, need for non-invasive ventilation, hospital stay) occurred in the 2021–22 and, especially, the 2022–23 periods compared to 2018–19. This tendency persisted after adjusting for risk factors associated with bronchiolitis severity. Conclusions: Compared to adults, COVID-19 in infants is often asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and rarely results in hospitalization. This study indicates that the pandemic has indirectly induced an increased burden of bronchiolitis among hospitalized infants. This shift, which is not explained by the recognized risk factors, suggests the existence of higher infant vulnerability during the last two seasons.What is known:• The pandemic led to a change in epidemiology of respiratory diseases• Large data on severity of bronchiolitis and underlying risk factors before and during COVID-19 pandemic are scarceWhat is new:• Compared to pre-pandemic period, hospitalizations for bronchiolitis decreased in 2020–21 and gradually increased in 2021–22 and 2022–23• Compared to pre-pandemic period, higher disease burden occurred in 2021–22 and, especially, in 2022–23. This tendency persisted after adjusting for risk factors associated with bronchiolitis severity• The interplay among viruses, preventive measures, and the infant health deserves to be further investigated

Impact evaluation of a maternal and child cash transfer intervention, integrated with nutrition, early childhood development, and agriculture messaging (MAZIKO-IE): a study protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial

BackgroundChildren in Malawi face high rates of malnutrition and are at risk of not reaching their developmental potential. Community-based childcare centres (CBCCs) can be cost-effective platforms for scaling-up early childhood development (ECD) and nutrition social behaviour change (SBC) interventions. However, evidence also suggests potential synergies from coupling nutrition SBC with cash transfers (CT), given that rural households in Malawi face high levels of poverty and recurring extreme lean season food-security shocks. The Maziko trial is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of using CBCCs and parenting care groups as platforms to improve maternal diets and child nutrition and development by providing nutrition-sensitive SBC and CT intervention packages in communities already receiving a standard of care Government SBC program.MethodsWe designed a 3-year cluster-randomised controlled trial in two districts of Malawi, including 156 communities randomised to one of four treatment arms: (1) standard of care (SoC) arm: receiving the standard Government SBC program; (2) SBC arm: receiving the SoC intervention with additional nutrition-sensitive SBC activities to improve nutritious food production, diets, and care practices for young children; (3) low CT arm: SoC plus SBC plus a maternal and child cash transfer ~ 17 USD per month; and (4) high CT arm: SoC plus SBC plus a maternal and child CT ~ 43 USD per month. The trial will enrol pregnant women and children < 2 years of age. The primary outcomes are maternal diet assessed using the mean probability of adequacy and child development assessed using the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool. Intermediate outcomes along the programme impact pathways will also be measured, including maternal mental health, maternal empowerment, child feeding practices, and child nutritional status.DiscussionThis is the first study to examine the impact and synergies of combining ECD SBC with nutrition-sensitive SBC and CTs on maternal and child outcomes during the first 1000 days. The findings from this evaluation will inform national ECD and nutrition programmes.Trial registrationISRCTN ISRCTN53055824. Registered on 7 March 2022.

Social behaviour changes via mindfulness practices in early childhood

This study aims to investigate the effects of mindfulness practices on preschool children’s social behavioural development. The research was carried out with a total of 30 children, 13 of them in the experimental group and 17 in the control group, from the five-six age groups attending preschool education in two public schools in the 2021–2022 academic years. The purposive sampling method was preferred in determining the sample, and the design of the study was the quasi-experimental mixed method. In the study, Mindfulness Practice Toolkit (MPT), which was developed by the researcher, was used in the forms of observation, interview and anecdote as data collection tools during the practice processes. Besides, Pre-school Social Behaviour Scale-Teacher Form (PSBS-TF) was also utilized to examine the social behaviour developments of the participant children. The overall results of the investigation show an increase in positive social behaviours and a decrease in behaviours containing physical aggression and depressive emotion of participant children. Additionally, it was observed that children who participated in the mindfulness practice provided (/responded to) responses that include skills like identifying self-thoughts and feelings, controlling and accepting, determining behaviours upon the emotional state and establishing empathy and controlling negative behaviours.

The COVID-19 pandemic and changes in social behavior: Protective face masks reduce deliberate social distancing preferences while leaving automatic avoidance behavior unaffected

Protective face masks were one of the central measures to counteract viral transmission in the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior research indicates that face masks impact various aspects of social cognition, such as emotion recognition and social evaluation. Whether protective masks also influence social avoidance behavior is less clear. Our project assessed direct and indirect measures of social avoidance tendencies towards masked and unmasked faces in two experiments with 311 participants during the first half of 2021. Two interventions were used in half of the participants from each sample (Experiment 1: protective face masks; Experiment 2: a disease prime video) to decrease or increase the salience of the immediate contagion threat. In the direct social avoidance measure, which asked for the deliberate decision to approach or avoid a person in a hypothetical social encounter, participants showed an increased willingness to approach masked as opposed to unmasked faces across experiments. This effect was further related to interindividual differences in pandemic threat perception in both samples. In the indirect measure, which assessed automatic social approach and avoidance tendencies, we neither observed an approach advantage towards masked faces nor an avoidance advantage for unmasked faces. Thus, while the absence of protective face masks may have led to increased deliberate social avoidance during the pandemic, no such effect was observed on automatic regulation of behavior, thus indicating the relative robustness of this latter behavior against changes in superordinate social norms.

Dynamics of Social Adaptation

This research aims to describe and analyze the reality of changes in social behavior that occur in the Nepal Van Java Tourism Village area, as well as describe and analyze the forms of social adaptation of the community in connection with the reality of changes in social behavior in the Nepal Van Java Tourism Village area. This research was conducted using descriptive qualitative methods. The data analysis technique used in this research uses steps such as data collection, data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions/data verification. The "Nepal Van Java" Tourism Village in Butuh Village, Magelang Regency, Central Java, was developed by the local community with the principles of Community-Based Tourism (CBT). The community has autonomous control over decisions, operations and profit sharing in the tourism business. The management of this tourist attraction has met CBT parameters by preserving the environment through the Sapta Pesona program, preserving local culture, and involving community participation. The growth of tourism can be seen from the number of participants as tourism managers and actors. Distribution of benefits to marginalized communities also occurs through income for Butuh Village. Internal and external communication by Pokdarwis is key in achieving tourism development from "Nepal Van Java" to Magelang Regency. Tourism awareness, community participation and agricultural tourism packages have also increased the attractiveness of this destination. Social media, especially Instagram, plays an important role in the promotion of "Nepal Van Java". Good management can lead to a downward trend in tourists. This village also collaborates with various parties, such as universities and the Magelang Regency Government Service. The importance of cultural and environmental preservation is emphasized, with the integration of local wisdom as a key to authentic appeal. Economic development through handicrafts, local culinary delights and tourism services has a positive impact on the micro economy. Synergy with Magelang City is considered important for optimizing management and marketing. Marketing strategies, through social media and partnerships with travelagents, can increase the village's attractiveness. The "Nepal Van Java" Tourism Village has promising prospects, but faces challenges such as changes in tourism trends. Regulation and careful planning are needed. Sustainable management, cultural and environmental preservation, as well as improving the quality of tourist experiences are the main focus in developing this village and tourism growth in Magelang Regency

Malaria Prevalence and Macroeconomic Output in Ghana, 1990 to 2019.

In Ghana, malaria remains the number 1 reason for outpatient department visits, making it a major public health problem. Thus, there could be significant lost productivity days as a result of malaria morbidity and mortality, which could negatively affect economic output at the macrolevel. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of empirical evidence of the effect of malaria on macroeconomic output in Ghana. This study therefore aims to provide the foremost empirical evidence regarding the effect of malaria prevalence on macroeconomic output in Ghana using a time series design with data spanning the period 1990 to 2019. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), serving as a proxy for macroeconomic output, is the dependent variable, while the prevalence of malaria (overall, among only males and among only females) serves as the main independent variable. The Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression is used as the baseline estimation technique and the Instrumental Variable Two-Stage Least Square (IV2SLS) regression is employed as the robustness check estimator due to its ability to deal with endogeneity. The IV2SLS regression results show that a percentage increase in the overall prevalence of malaria is associated with a 1.16% decrease in macroeconomic output at 1% significance level. We also find that the effect of malaria in males on macroeconomic output is slightly higher relative to females. The findings from the OLS regression are not qualitatively different from the IV2SLS regression estimates. There is therefore the need to strengthen efforts such as quality case management, larval source management, mass distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets, social behavior change, surveillance (both epidemiological and entomological), intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy, research among others, which are important toward eliminating malaria.

Social support via Internet communication technology for diabetes self-management: a scoping review.

The global prevalence of diabetes has been increasing over the past 30 years, leading to a rise in complications; diabetes is the leading cause of amputations, blindness, and kidney failure in developed countries. Diabetes self-management is challenging due to the complex lifestyle changes required. Social support from family and friends plays a crucial role in overcoming barriers to healthy behavior choices. Integrating Internet and communication technologies with social support interventions has the potential to improve diabetes self-management. A scoping review was conducted by searching PubMed, Ovid, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Digital Library databases for studies combining diabetes, Internet and communication technologies, and social support interventions. Inclusion criteria focused on adult patients with diabetes and primarily Internet and communication technologies-based strategies to initiate and enhance social support. Data abstraction included study population, design, outcomes, social support domains emphasized, support relationship intervention strategy, and Internet and communication technologies modality. The review identified 39 articles and 33 unique studies representing 27 unique interventions utilizing peer web forums, interactive voice recordings, messaging-based interventions (including Short Message Service and instant messaging), and email as Internet and communication technologies modalities. Various outcomes were reported, including improvements in perception of social support, psychosocial well-being, behavior changes, and clinical outcomes. Existing support relationships may be more effective in promoting behavior change and clinical outcomes compared to developing new relationships. Studies that explicitly measured patients' perception of support consistently showed improvements in psycho-social, behavioral, and clinical outcomes. This scoping review highlights the pivotal role of social support in diabetes self-management. By integrating Internet and communication technologies into interventions, diverse modalities such as web forums and text messaging have shown promise in enhancing patients' perception of support and improving psychosocial well-being, behavior changes, and clinical outcomes. The emphasis on leveraging existing support relationships, rather than establishing new ones, underscores the effectiveness of personalized, patient-centered approaches. These findings provide essential insights for healthcare strategies, emphasizing the need to harness technology and existing social networks to empower individuals in managing diabetes effectively.

Improving complementary feeding practices, programs and policies for optimal early childhood nutrition in Kenya: What would work?

Complementary feeding practices are greatly influenced by local contexts. Therefore, national home-grown evidence, policiesand guidelines are critical to improving infant and young children's diets. This Special Issue has provided a comprehensive, evidence-based analysis of the situation, gapsand context-specific opportunities for improving young children's diets in Kenya. The primary research findings of the Special Issue supported the identification of a set of recommendations articulated across the four systems (food, health, water, sanitation and hygiene[WASH]and social protection) to improve food availability and accessibility in Kenya at the national and subnational levels. It is anticipated that the decentralised government functions seen in Kenya provide a strong opportunity to develop and mainstream context-specific recommendations into action. This Special Issue recommends adopting a multi-sectoral systems approach, including a shared vision, joint planning, implementationand monitoring, towards improving young children's diets with a focus on service delivery as well as scaled-up community social behaviour change interventions. In particular, the approach should entail advocacy for policy revisions for service delivery that support complementary feeding and development of costed implementation strategies in support of the same, across four critical systems-food, health, WASHand social protection, along with, the strengthening of national coordination, monitoringand accountability structures as per the Kenya Nutrition Action Plan. Finally, the development of a legal framework for enhanced accountability from all relevant sectors towards sustainable, nutritious, safeand affordable children's diets. These recommendations provide a clear direction in addressing the complementary feeding challenges, which the primary research of this Special Issue has presented.

From dysbiosis to neuropathologies: Toxic effects of glyphosate in zebrafish

Glyphosate, a globally prevalent herbicide known for its selective inhibition of the shikimate pathway in plants, is now implicated in physiological effects on humans and animals, probably due to its impacts in their gut microbiomes which possess the shikimate pathway. In this study, we investigate the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of glyphosate on the gut microbiota, neurotransmitter levels, and anxiety in zebrafish. Our findings demonstrate that glyphosate exposure leads to dysbiosis in the zebrafish gut, alterations in central and peripheral serotonin levels, increased dopamine levels in the brain, and notable changes in anxiety and social behavior. While the dysbiosis can be attributed to glyphosate's antimicrobial properties, the observed effects on neurotransmitter levels leading to the reported induction of oxidative stress in the brain indicate a novel and significant mode of action for glyphosate, namely the impairment of the microbiome-gut-axis. While further investigations are necessary to determine the relevance of this mechanism in humans, our findings shed light on the potential explanation for the contradictory reports on the safety of glyphosate for consumers.

A Videoconference Physical Activity Intervention for Colorectal Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Physical activity (PA) after a colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis can improve physical function and quality of life and is associated with decreased mortality rates and longer disease-free survival. The accelerated use of videoconference technology during and following the COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to explore the potential of a virtually supervised intervention to help survivors of CRC increase PA. A two-arm single blind pilot randomized controlled trial of individuals who had completed treatment for CRC within the previous five-years (NCT03781154, 12/19/2018). The 12-week intervention consisted of circuit-based, combined aerobic and resistance exercise, twice per week for approximately one-hour per session, and five social cognitive theory-based PA behavior change discussion sessions. All intervention components were delivered in real-time via Zoom. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed, and the effects of the intervention were explored for the outcomes of PA (activPAL™ accelerometers and self-report), social cognitive theory constructs (barriers self-efficacy and outcome expectations), and physical fitness (submaximal aerobic capacity, upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance). Twenty-nine eligible individuals (55.2% women, &lt;em&gt;Mean&lt;/em&gt; = 61 ± 11 years old, &lt;em&gt;Mean&lt;/em&gt; = 22.0 ± 15.1 months since diagnosis) were randomized to the videoconference PA intervention (&lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt; = 15) or a PA education control (&lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt; = 14). A total of &lt;em&gt;N&lt;/em&gt; = 25 completed the study for a retention rate of 86.7% in the intervention arm and 85.7% in the control. Adherence to intervention components was &gt;86%. The intervention was highly acceptable with ≥90% responding “yes” or “definitely yes” that they enjoyed participating. Trends suggested that intervention participants had greater improvements in accelerometer measured steps per day, daily minutes of light PA, sedentary time, and aerobic fitness. There was no change in social cognitive theory constructs, and muscular strength and endurance improved in both the intervention and control. A 12-week videoconference PA intervention was feasible and acceptable among survivors of CRC, and the greatest magnitude of difference for intervention effects was observed for light PA and sedentary time. A fully powered trial is needed to determine efficacy of the intervention for increasing PA and physical functioning.