Critical Life Research Articles

Some antecedents of directed motivational currents in a foreign language

ABSTRACT Directed Motivational Currents (DMCs) are highly intense goal-directed motivational experiences that are characterised by establishing new routines and having positive emotions. The present study aimed to identify the factors that triggered the launch of DMCs among EFL learners. An interview protocol designed based on the core dimensions of the DMC framework [Dörnyei, Z., A. Henry, and C. Muir. 2016. Motivational Currents in Language Learning: Frameworks for Focused Interventions. New York: Routledge] was used to collect the data. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the interview data. The results showed that DMCs experienced by the participants were triggered by others-related (i.e. goal contagion and salient others) as well as social-situational factors (i.e. critical life incidents, ego threat, responsibility). Finally, the pedagogical implications and suggestions for future research are presented.

Salinity Alters Toxicity of Commonly Used Pesticides in a Model Euryhaline Fish Species (Menidia beryllina).

Changing salinity in estuaries due to sea level rise and altered rainfall patterns, as a result of climate change, has the potential to influence the interactions of aquatic pollutants as well as to alter their toxicity. From a chemical property point of view, ionic concentration can increase the octanol–water partition coefficient and thus decrease the water solubility of a compound. Biologically, organism physiology and enzyme metabolism are also altered at different salinities with implications for drug metabolism and toxic effects. This highlights the need to understand the influence of salinity on pesticide toxicity when assessing risk to estuarine and marine fishes, particularly considering that climate change is predicted to alter salinity regimes globally and many risk assessments and regulatory decisions are made using freshwater studies. Therefore, we exposed the Inland Silverside (Menidia beryllina) at an early life stage to seven commonly used pesticides at two salinities relevant to estuarine waters (5 PSU and 15 PSU). Triadimefon was the only compound to show a statistically significant increase in toxicity at the 15 PSU LC50. However, all compounds showed a decrease in LC50 values at the higher salinity, and all but one showed a decrease in the LC10 value. Many organisms rely on estuaries as nurseries and increased toxicity at higher salinities may mean that organisms in critical life stages of development are at risk of experiencing adverse, toxic effects. The differences in toxicity demonstrated here have important implications for organisms living within estuarine and marine ecosystems in the Anthropocene as climate change alters estuarine salinity regimes globally.

Moose Habitat Selection and Fitness Consequences During Two Critical Winter Tick Life Stages in Vermont, United States†

The moose (Alces alces) is a charismatic species in decline across much of their southern distribution in North America. In the northeastern United States, much of the reduction has been attributed to winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) infestations. Winter ticks are fairly immobile throughout all life stages, and therefore their distribution patterns at any given time are shaped largely by the occurrence of moose across the landscape during the peak of two critical time periods: fall questing (when ticks latch onto moose) and spring drop-off (when engorged female ticks detach from moose). We used recent land cover and lidar data within a dynamic occupancy modeling framework to estimate first-order habitat selection (use vs. non-use) of female moose (n = 74) during the tick questing and drop-off periods. Patch extinction and colonization rates between the fall questing and spring drop-off periods were strongly influenced by habitat and elevation, but these effects were diminished during the fall questing period when moose were more active across the landscape. From the fall questing period to the spring drop-off period, patches where colonization was high and extinction was low had higher proportions of young (shrub/forage) mixed forest at higher elevations. Further, we evaluated the fitness consequences of habitat selection by adult females during the fall questing period, when females and their calves acquire ticks. We compared Resource Selection Functions (RSF) for five females that successfully reared a calf to age 1 with five females whose calves perished due to ticks. Adult female moose whose offspring perished selected habitats in the fall that spatially coincided with areas of high occupancy probability during the spring tick drop-off period. In contrast, adult female moose whose offspring survived selected areas where the probability of occupancy during the spring drop-off was low; at present, natural selection may favor female adults who do not select the same habitats in fall as in spring. Our model coefficients and mapped results define “hotspots” that are likely encouraging the deleterious effects of the tick-moose cycle. These findings fill knowledge gaps about moose habitat selection that may improve the effectiveness of management aimed at reversing declining population trends.

Long‐term surveys support declines in early season forest plants used by bumblebees

Abstract Populations of bumblebees and other pollinators have declined over the past several decades due to numerous threats, including habitat loss and degradation. However, we can rarely investigate the role of resource loss due to a lack of detailed long‐term records of forage plants and habitats. We used 22‐year repeated surveys of more than 262 sites located in grassland, forest, and wetland habitats across Illinois, USA to explore how the abundance and richness of bumblebee food plants have changed over the period of decline of the endangered rusty patched bumblebee Bombus affinis. We documented a decline in abundance of bumblebee forage plants in forest understories, which our phenology analysis suggests provide the primary nectar and pollen sources for foundress queens in spring, a critical life stage in bumblebee demography. By contrast, the per‐unit area abundance of food plants in primarily midsummer‐flowering grassland and wetland habitats had not declined. However, the total area of grasslands had declined across the region resulting in a net loss of grassland resources. Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest a decline in spring‐flowering forest understorey plants is a previously unappreciated bumblebee stressor, compounding factors like agricultural intensification, novel pathogen exposure and grassland habitat loss. These findings emphasize the need for greater consideration of habitat complementarity in bumblebee conservation. We conclude that the continued loss of early season floral resources may add additional stress to critical life stages of bumblebees and limit restoration efforts if not explicitly considered in pollinator conservation.

Bridging the gap between diabetes care and mental health: perspectives of the Mental health IN DiabeteS Optimal Health Program (MINDS OHP)

BackgroundMental health problems are highly prevalent in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), which adversely impact physical health and quality of life. This study aimed to explore the experiences of people with T1DM who had completed the Mental health IN DiabeteS Optimal Health Program (MINDS OHP), a novel intervention developed to bridge the gap between physical and mental health care.Method Participants with T1DM were invited to take part in a focus group or semi-structured interviews. Participants were recruited from outpatient and community settings. The focus group and interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was used and identified themes were cross-validated by researchers and member-checked by participants.ResultsTen people with T1DM were included. Two key themes emerged: ‘MINDS OHP experiences’ and ‘lived experiences of diabetes’. MINDS OHP experiences included five sub-themes: program benefits, follow-up and timing, suggested improvements, collaborative partners, and materials suitability. Lived experiences also included five sub-themes: bridging the gap between mental and physical health, support networks, stigma and shame, management intrusiveness, and adolescence and critical life points.ConclusionsThe MINDS OHP for people with T1DM was generally well received, though study findings suggest a number of improvements could be made to the program, such as including family members, and consideration being given to its routine early inclusion in diabetes management, ideally in primary care.

Dyslexic Arabic Students in the Arab Countries: A Systematic Review of Assistive Technology Progress and Recommendations

Dyslexia is quite possibly the most widely recognized learning troubles. Literacy is a critical life skill; low literacy skills inhibit educational advancement. Even a few dyslexic students may affect the broad educational experience of all students. Unfortunately, dyslexia is a relatively unknown phenomenon in Arabic academic communities. Arab countries are experiencing a rapid increase in dyslexic students; consequently, there is an urgent need to investigate dyslexia and its associated student assistive technology (AT). A systematic review was conducted on AT developed for dyslexic Arabic students to understand AT’s benefits and challenges. Our research found that in addition to learning strategies, several other factors contributed to the adoption (or lack thereof) of AT in Arab classrooms, including environmental, social and cultural factors. This study’s findings can assist AT developers and educational policymakers in efficiently designing and implementing AT.

Harbor Seals as Sentinels of Ice Dynamics in Tidewater Glacier Fjords

Tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into the marine environment which serve as pupping, molting, and resting habitat for some of the largest seasonal aggregations of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) in the world. Although they are naturally dynamic, advancing and retreating in response to local climatic and fjord conditions, most tidewater glaciers around the world are thinning and retreating. Climate change models predict continued loss of land-based ice with unknown impacts to organisms such as harbor seals that rely on glacier ice as habitat for critical life history events. To understand the impacts of changing ice availability on harbor seals, we quantified seasonal and annual changes in ice habitat in Johns Hopkins Inlet, a tidewater glacier fjord in Glacier Bay National Park in southeastern Alaska. We conducted systematic aerial photographic surveys (n = 55) of seals and ice during the pupping (June; n = 30) and molting (August; n = 25) periods from 2007 to 2014. Object-based image analysis was used to quantify the availability and spatial distribution of floating ice in the fjord. Multivariate spatial models were developed for jointly modeling stage-structured seal location data and ice habitat. Across all years, there was consistently more ice in the fjord during the pupping season in June than during the molting season in August, which was likely driven by seasonal variation in physical processes that influence the calving dynamics of tidewater glaciers. Non-pup harbor seals and ice were correlated during the pupping season, but this correlation was reduced during the molting season suggesting that harbor seals may respond to changes in habitat differently depending upon trade-offs associated with life history events, such as pupping and molting, and energetic costs and constraints associated with the events.

Headstarting as a cost-effective conservation strategy for an endangered mammal

Introduced predators threaten prey species worldwide, but strategies to protect vulnerable wildlife from introduced predators can be expensive, time-consuming, and logistically difficult1,2. Novel conservation strategies that reduce predation affordably and efficiently must be explored. 'Headstarting' is one such strategy, whereby prey are isolated from predators only during the critical early life stage before being returned to the wild, thus improving juvenile survivorship and recruitment to contribute to an increase in population growth3. Headstarting is a particularly useful conservation strategy for species facing higher levels of a threatening process during only the early part of their life history when mortality rates are higher, and has demonstrably improved conservation outcomes for birds and marine species3,4. Here we report findings from the first known headstarting program for a terrestrial mammal, the endangered bridled nailtail wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata) at Avocet Nature Refuge (henceforth 'Avocet') in Queensland, Australia.

Current and effective strategies for critical reagent characterization, storage, stability, retesting and life cycle management for ligand-binding assays and flow cytometry.

Current and effective strategies for critical reagent characterization, storage, stability, retesting and life cycle management for ligand-binding assays and flow cytometry.

تقويم الأنشطة التعليمية لمقرر لغتي الخالدة للصف الثالث المتوسط في ضوء مهارات القرن الحادي والعشرين

هدفت الدراسة إلى إعداد قائمة بمهارات القرن الحادي والعشرين المناسبة لطلاب الصف الثالث المتوسط، کما هدفت إلى الکشف عن درجة مراعاة الأنشطة التعليمية في مقرر لغتي للصف الثالث المتوسط لمهارات القرن الحادي والعشرين المتعلقة بالتفکير الناقد وحل المشکلات، التواصل والمشارکة، الإبداع والابتکار، الثقافة المعلوماتية وثقافة تقنية المعلومات والاتصال، والحياة والعمل. ولتحقيق أهداف الدراسة اتبع الباحث المنهج الوصفي، وصمم لذلک بطاقة تحليل المحتوى في ضوء قائمة مهارات القرن الحادي والعشرين، وبعد التأکد من صدق الأداة وثباتها، شرع الباحث في تحليل الأنشطة التعليمية، وقد توصلت الدراسة إلى النتائج التالية: 1- حددت الدراسة قائمة بمهارات القرن الحادي والعشرين المناسبة لطلاب الصف الثالث المتوسط، صنفت في خمسة محاور، وتضمنت (34) مهارة فرعية. 2- راعت الأنشطة التعليمية مهارات القرن الحادي والعشرين المرتبطة بالتفکير الناقد وحل المشکلات، والتواصل والمشارکة بنسب مرتفعة تمثلت في (73.31%) و(28.32%)، کما راعت الأنشطة التعليمية مهارات القرن الحادي والعشرين بنسب متوسطة ومتدنية في بقية المحاور. 3- غياب التوزان والشمول والتکامل في بناء الأنشطة التعليمية وتدرجها في ضوء مهارات القرن الحادي والعشرين. وفي ضوء النتائج التي توصلت إليها الدراسة، فقد أوصت الدراسة بالتالي: 1- تخطيط مناهج تعليم اللغة العربية في ضوء مهارات القرن الحادي والعشرين من خلال اقتراح مصفوفة لهذه المهارات وتدريجها على الصفوف في مراحل التعليم العام. 2- الاستفادة من قائمة مهارات القرن الحادي والعشرين التي أعدتها الدراسة. 3- تضمين الأنشطة التعليمية في مقررات اللغة العربية مهارات القرن الحادي والعشرين وفق منهجية محددة تراعي التوزان والشمول والتکامل تسهم في تنمية هذه المهارات. The study aims to prepare a list of 21st-century skills suitable for ninth graders. In addition, it aims to reveal how the ninth grade Arabic language course activities observe 21st-century skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, participation, creativity, ICT, life, work, and innovation and information culture. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher followed a descriptive approach and designed the content analysis card with a list of 21st-century skills. After confirming the validity and reliability of the tool, the researcher started analyzing the educational activities. The study reached the following results: The study identified a list of 21st century skills suitable for ninth-grade students, classified in five axes, and included (34) sub-skills. The educational activates of the study took into consideration are 21st-century skills related to critical thinking and problem solving, and communication and participation in high proportions (73.31%) and (28.32%). There was a loss of balance, inclusiveness, and integration in the construction of educational activities that were in line with 21st-century skills. The recommendation of the study includes: Planning the Arabic language curriculum to align with 21st-century skills by proposing the organization and inclusion of these skills in the stages of general education. To adopt the 21st-century skills that were proposed in this study and be able to benefit from them. Include 21st Century skills in the Arabic language courses by following a specific method that takes into account the balance, inclusion, and integration that generally contribute to the development of these skills.

COVID-19 상황에서 프리랜서 유아 음악강사들이 직면한 위기의 삶과 극복과정에 대한 내러티브 탐구

This study was conducted for the purpose of a narrative inquiry on critical life and overcoming process that the freelance early childhood music instructors confronted in the COVID-19 situation. For this, the research participants were selected as five freelance early childhood music instructors who are being active in the after-school program at a kindergarten and a child care center where are located in Seoul Metropolis and Gyeonggi Province. The researcher carried out the 5-time individual interview and the 2-time group interview with the research participants from March through October in 2020. As a result of the research, the critical life faced by the freelance early childhood music instructors in the COVID-19 situation appeared to include the following: ‘feeeling anxiety about resumption of childhood music classes during a desperate situation,’ ‘having doubt about carrying an unstable job as a freelancer music instructor.’ The crisis overcoming process was indicated to include ‘sinking into the abyss, finding me in a crisis,’ ‘the weight of life, To be connected with the supportive colleagues,’ ‘What I have to conquer in the end, Seeking a way out.’ The results of this study have a big implication in that arranged an opportunity of sympathizing with critical life encountered by freelance early childhood music instructors who struggle to get over a tough situation while striving not to give up the reward and expectation of own choice even in the face of difficulties, and of recognizing the need to prepare a social support system in order to prevent the leakage of early childhood music education professionals.

A Narrative Inquiry on Critical Life and Overcoming Process Faced by Freelance Early Childhood Music Instructors in the COVID-19 Situation

본 연구는 COVID-19 상황에서 프리랜서 유아 음악강사들이 직면한 위기의 삶과 극복과정에 대한 내러티브 탐구를 목적으로 수행되었다. 이를 위해 서울시와 경기도 소재 유치원과 어린이집의 방과 후 프로그램에서 활동하는 프리랜서 유아 음악강사 5명을 연구참여자로 선정하였다. 연구자는 2020년 3월부터 10월까지 연구참여자들과 5회의 개별면담과 2회의 집단면담을 실시하였다. 연구결과, COVID-19 상황에서 프리랜서 유아 음악강사들이 직면한 위기의 삶은 ‘절망적인 쉼의 시간, 유아 음악수업 재개에 대한 불안감’, ‘불안정한 직업으로서 프리랜서 유아 음악강사에 대한 회의감’으로 나타났다. 위기 극복과정은 ‘나락으로 빠져들다, 위기 속에서 나를 찾기’, ‘삶의 무게감, 힘이 되어주는 동료들과 연결되기’. ‘결국은 내가 극복해야 할 일, 출구를 모색하기’로 나타났다. 본 연구결과는 어려움 속에서도 자신이 선택한 일에 대한 보람과 기대를 놓지 않으려 노력하면서 어려운 상황을 극복하기 위해 안간힘을 쓰는 프리랜서 유아 음악강사들이 직면한 위기의 삶을 공감하고 유아 음악교육 전문인력의 누출을 막기 위한 사회적 지원제도의 마련이 필요함을 인식하는 계기를 마련하였다는 점에서 시사하는 바가 크다고 하겠다.

Critical incidents in anorexia nervosa: perspectives of those with a lived experience

BackgroundAlthough social-emotional difficulties are believed play a key role in anorexia nervosa (AN), there is uncertainty regarding what these difficulties might look like. Previous research has largely focused on a “disease model” of social-emotional processing in AN with little attention paid to positive emotions and experiences. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to obtain a fuller picture of critical life events as identified by those with lived AN experience.MethodsThirty-four participants aged 16–48 with current or past AN completed an online survey describing self-defined positive and difficult critical events. Thematic analysis was used to assess patterns in participants narrative responses.ResultsTwo major themes were identified in the descriptions of positive critical events: Moments of celebration and Unexpected positive outcomes. These major themes revealed increased external focus and some corrective experiences that challenged the participants pre-existing expectations leading to new positive outcomes. Difficult events clustered into life events that were identified as Eating disorder (ED) related and Non-ED related and included the dimensions of relational conflict and feeling unsupported.DiscussionThe findings suggest that although negative emotionality was identified in the accounts of those with lived experience of AN capacity for “big-picture” thinking with and explicit focus on others was also identified. Moreover, an openness to corrective experiences that worked to challenge negative expectations was evident for some participants. Together these findings have scope as targets for further clinical research and treatment interventions.

A Narrative Inquiry on Critical Life and Overcoming Process Faced by Freelance Early Childhood Music Instructors in the COVID-19 Situation

본 연구는 COVID-19 상황에서 프리랜서 유아 음악강사들이 직면한 위기의 삶과 극복과정에 대한 내러티브 탐구를 목적으로 수행되었다. 이를 위해 서울시와 경기도 소재 유치원과 어린이집의 방과 후 프로그램에서 활동하는 프리랜서 유아 음악강사 5명을 연구참여자로 선정하였다. 연구자는 2020년 3월부터 10월까지 연구참여자들과 5회의 개별면담과 2회의 집단면담을 실시하였다. 연구결과, COVID-19 상황에서 프리랜서 유아 음악강사들이 직면한 위기의 삶은 ‘절망적인 쉼의 시간, 유아 음악수업 재개에 대한 불안감’, ‘불안정한 직업으로서 프리랜서 유아 음악강사에 대한 회의감’으로 나타났다. 위기 극복과정은 ‘나락으로 빠져들다, 위기 속에서 나를 찾기’, ‘삶의 무게감, 힘이 되어주는 동료들과 연결되기’. ‘결국은 내가 극복해야 할 일, 출구를 모색하기’로 나타났다. 본 연구결과는 어려움 속에서도 자신이 선택한 일에 대한 보람과 기대를 놓지 않으려 노력하면서 어려운 상황을 극복하기 위해 안간힘을 쓰는 프리랜서 유아 음악강사들이 직면한 위기의 삶을 공감하고 유아 음악교육 전문인력의 누출을 막기 위한 사회적 지원제도의 마련이 필요함을 인식하는 계기를 마련하였다는 점에서 시사하는 바가 크다고 하겠다.This study was conducted for the purpose of a narrative inquiry on critical life and overcoming process that the freelance early childhood music instructors confronted in the COVID-19 situation. For this, the research participants were selected as five freelance early childhood music instructors who are being active in the after-school program at a kindergarten and a child care center where are located in Seoul Metropolis and Gyeonggi Province. The researcher carried out the 5-time individual interview and the 2-time group interview with the research participants from March through October in 2020. As a result of the research, the critical life faced by the freelance early childhood music instructors in the COVID-19 situation appeared to include the following: ‘feeeling anxiety about resumption of childhood music classes during a desperate situation,’ ‘having doubt about carrying an unstable job as a freelancer music instructor.’ The crisis overcoming process was indicated to include ‘sinking into the abyss, finding me in a crisis,’ ‘the weight of life, To be connected with the supportive colleagues,’ ‘What I have to conquer in the end, Seeking a way out.’ The results of this study have a big implication in that arranged an opportunity of sympathizing with critical life encountered by freelance early childhood music instructors who struggle to get over a tough situation while striving not to give up the reward and expectation of own choice even in the face of difficulties, and of recognizing the need to prepare a social support system in order to prevent the leakage of early childhood music education professionals.

I. A. Ilyin аbout Faith Phenomenon

Introduction. In the context of the psychological analysis of the scientific heritage of the famous Russian philosopher I. A. Ilyin, the problem of experiencing difficult and critical life situations is considered. He believed that such situations are integral companions in human life. Therefore, a person must be ready to meet them. Fostering an active and responsible attitude towards difficult situations is a very important direction in preparing young people for life. Results. The author’s key concepts are the categories „suffering„ and „patience„. He viewed patience as a mental property of a person and as a process or a special activity of the subject, aimed at experiencing a difficult life situation. Methods of strengthening patience and effective ways of experiencing life difficulties are analyzed in detail: inclusion of a difficult situation in a broader life context, communication with loved ones, prayer appeal to God, distracting attention from experience, strengthening faith in yourself, constructive work with your imagination, etc. Discussion and Conclusion. The problem of understanding the meaning of suffering is considered. Not only negative, but also positive elements of suffering are highlighted. The approach proposed by I. A. Ilyin to the phenomenon of suffering and patience is of great practical importance.

The Effect of Choice Theory-Based Group Training on Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Parent-Child Relationship in Male Adolescents

Background and Purpose: Adolescence is considered as one of the most critical life periods since adolescents are being exposed to a variety of potential stimuli, whose inappropriate response to such stimuli would prevent their proper performance in society. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of choice theory-based group training on cognitive emotion regulation and parent-child relationships in male adolescents.
 Materials and Methods: The research method was experimental with a pretest-posttest-follow-up design and a control group. The statistical population included all male students of the senior -high school in Dogonbadan city in the academic year 2019. Using the multi-stage cluster sampling method, 30 samples were selected and randomly assigned into experimental and control groups (n=15 per group). The research instrument included the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) and The Parent-Child Relationship Survey. The reality therapy intervention was performed on the experimental group for ten 90-minute sessions. The follow-up was performed after 60 days. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was then used to analyze the data.
 Results: The participants included 30 male adolescents, aged between 15 and 17 years old. The research findings indicated that the choice theory-based group training was effective in promoting cognitive emotion regulation (F= 27.39, P= 0.0001) and parent-child relationship (F= 44.32, P= 0.0001). Also, their effects were sustainable until the follow-up period (P= 0.0001).
 Conclusion: Choice theory-based group training, as a therapeutic and clinical intervention, can be used as an appropriate and effective technique to promote cognitive emotion regulation and parent-child relationships among adolescents.

Feelings of Quarantine: Allegories for the Lockdown

This case study shows how allegories are a means to express the inexpressible and how Allegory Analysis can be a method to reveal it and bring out the subjective meaning making, life script ideology, and capability to deal with the ambivalent in critical life situations. From a cultural psychological perspective, the research is based on feelings during the quasi-quarantine period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study tries to understand the coping strategies with which people deal with a psychological crisis in general concerning for the COVID-19 lockdown. It discusses further ways to deal with the ambivalences and subjective meaning making arousing through such a crisis. The case study analysis of Miss K. not only showed her meaning making processes and attitude of life but also showed how to deal with the uncertainty during the critical lockdown period. Through her allegories, she utters her current life script ideology that living nowadays means to function like a machine while being creative, self-reflective at the same time. Her meaning making process counterbalanced between the voice of being delivered to withdrawal or depression versus the voice of being able to learn, connect, and relax. Her coping strategy was bearing the ambivalence in a psychological crisis with faith.

Total estimated usual nutrient intake and nutrient status biomarkers in women of childbearing age and women of menopausal age

ABSTRACTBackgroundWomen of childbearing age (WCBA) and women of menopausal age (WMENO) have distinct nutritional needs. Understanding nutrient intake and status in these life stages is critical for tailoring dietary recommendations.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to evaluate total estimated usual nutrient intakes from food and food plus supplements and to compare these to established recommendations for WCBA and WMENO life stages and examine associations between self-reported estimated usual intakes and nutrient status biomarkers.MethodsTwenty-four-hour dietary recall data from 2011–2016 NHANES were used to estimate usual intake of nutrients from food and food plus supplements for WCBA (aged 15–44 y, n = 4,134) and WMENO (aged 40–65 y, n = 3,438). Estimates of mean usual intake were derived and compared across clinically defined nutrient biomarker categories.ResultsBoth young (aged 15–30 y) and older (aged 31–44 y) WCBA had intakes from food below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for calcium (49% and 44%, respectively), magnesium (62%, 44%), and vitamins A (50%, 44%), C (47%, 46%), D (>97%, >97%), and E (92%, 88%). Similarly, perimenopausal (aged 40–50 y) and menopausal (aged 51–65 y) women had intakes from food below the EAR for calcium (48% and 74%, respectively), magnesium (50%, 49%), and vitamins A (44%, 37%), C (44%, 41%), D (>97%, >97%), and E (88%, 86%). Nutrient gaps decreased with supplement usage. For folate, vitamins D and B-12, and DHA, women in the lowest biomarker category (indicating increased risk of deficiency) had significantly lower intake from food (315.2 ± 25.9 compared with 463.8 ± 5.2 µg dietary folate equivalents, 3.5 ± 0.1 compared with 4.2 ± 0.1 µg, 3.6 ± 0.2 compared with 4.3 ± 0.1 µg, and 0.037 ± 0.005 compared with 0.070 ± 0.006 g, respectively; P < 0.01) of the corresponding nutrient compared with the highest biomarker category.ConclusionsSubstantial percentages of WCBA and WMENO are not meeting recommendations for multiple nutrients, whereas supplement usage partially fills nutrient gaps. Dietary intake was positively associated with most nutrient status biomarkers. Specific guidance is needed to ensure adequate nutrient intakes and nutrient status during these critical life stages.

Timetabling a transition with dignity: Perspectives of young adults with significant support needs

ABSTRACT Background This study investigated transition, or school leaving, as experienced by young adults living in Aotearoa New Zealand who had significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. Method To investigate these typically unheard perspectives, qualitative methods were adapted to individual communication preferences. Personal and contextual intersections were critically analysed using the theoretical framework of the capability approach. The capability approach emphasises individuality and one's freedom of choice to construct a good life of dignity. Results Timetables - schedules of daily activities - were examined using artefactual analysis to make sense of and explain important insights about transition through this pivotal support anchor. Yet, the utility of these artefacts, found to communicate personal capabilities, was underrecognised by those supporting transitions from school. Conclusion This article reports fresh insights into supporting this critical life stage increasing the potential for a transition with dignity.

Elevated river discharge enhances the immigration of juvenile catadromous and amphidromous fishes into temperate coastal rivers.

Anthropogenic alterations to river flow regimes threaten freshwater biodiversity globally, with potentially disproportionate impacts on species that rely on flow cues to trigger critical life history processes, such as migration for diadromous fishes. This study investigates the influence of river discharge on the abundance of juvenile fish moving into rivers by four temperate catadromous or amphidromous species (common galaxias Galaxias maculatus, spotted galaxias Galaxias truttaceus, climbing galaxias Galaxias brevipinnis and the threatened Australian grayling Prototroctes maraena). Fyke netting or fishway trapping was used to catch juvenile fish moving from estuaries into freshwater in five coastal waterways in south-eastern Australia during the spring migratory period. There was a positive relationship between the probability of high catch rates and mean discharge in September. We also found a positive relationship between discharge and the number of recruits captured 22-30 days later in a flow stressed system. In addition, day-of-year had a strong influence on catch rates, with the peak abundance of juveniles for three species most likely to occur midway through the sampling period (spotted galaxias in October, climbing galaxias in late October and Australian grayling in late October and early November). Our study shows that higher magnitudes of river discharge were associated with increased catches of juvenile catadromous and amphidromous fishes. With a limited supply of environmental water, environmental flows used to enhance immigration of these fishes may be best targeted to maintain small amounts of immigration into freshwater populations in waterways or years when discharges are low and stable. When there are natural, large discharge volumes, relatively large numbers of juvenile fish can be expected to enter coastal waterways and during these times environmental flows may not be required to promote immigration.