Risky Period Research Articles

The Feasibility of an Online Lifestyle Intervention During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the BMI Z-Score of Mexican Schoolchildren: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

The COVID-19 pandemic was a risky period for childhood obesity, due to the increase in unhealthy behaviors. Online interventions could prevent this problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and explore the effect of an online program on the BMI z-score of Mexican schoolchildren at 4 months during the pandemic. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted with 54 children. The intervention included three online sessions per week of nutrition and physical activity, as well as nutrition information for parents during 4 months. The control group received one nutrition digital brochure. Of the schoolchildren enrolled, 87% completed the study, and the intervention group attended 46% of the classes. At the end of the intervention, no significant difference between groups in the BMI z-score was observed (−0.02, 95% CI −0.19 to 0.15). However, the intervention group improved their quality of life and daily fruit consumption. This online intervention implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic was feasible, and the exploratory analysis showed positive trends in quality of life and daily fruit consumption but not in the BMI z-score and other secondary variables of Mexican schoolchildren. Additional strategies may be needed to improve attendance in online interventions and their impact on BMI in this age group.

Risk avoidance during dispersal: Temporal and behavioral shifts in selection by non-resident eastern wolves (Canis c.f. lycaon)

Dispersal is important for connectivity and persistence of small, disjunct wildlife populations. However, in human-altered landscapes dispersing animals are often more likely than residents to use anthropogenic features that increase mortality risk. As such, quantifying spatial and temporal responses of dispersing animals to anthropogenic features will improve our understanding of the potential for small, isolated populations to expand in human-altered landscapes. The distribution of eastern wolves (Canis c.f. lycaon; a threatened species in Canada) is limited to portions of eastern Canada within and adjacent to the population core in Algonquin Park. Recently, it was found that non-resident eastern wolves dispersing outside of Algonquin Park survive poorly, primarily due to high rates of human-caused mortality. We deployed Global Positioning System collars on 26 non-resident eastern wolves. We evaluated resource selection of dispersing individuals during different movement states to better understand their behavioral responses to anthropogenic landscape features during this critical, but risky period of their life history. Eastern wolves avoided areas with high building density during the day. However, during directed movements outside the winter period, eastern wolves selected areas closer to unpaved roads and areas with higher building densities at night. During winter, eastern wolves selected areas with high building densities at night while displaying tortuous movements. We demonstrate that harvested species may increase and relax avoidance of anthropogenic features at both daily and seasonal timescales. Failing to account for temporal and state-specific variation in resource selection patterns of dispersing animals may underestimate their ability to move through human-altered landscapes.

Edukasi Pentingnya 1000 HPK dalam Pencegahan Gangguan Tumbuh Kembang Anak di Kampung KB Rawa Makmur Bengkulu

The First 1000 Days of Life is a period of 270 days (nine months) in the womb plus the first 730 days (two years) of a child's life. The first 1,000 days of life are important because this is a period of growth and development for children who are in a risky period. This community service aims to find out the level of understanding of teenagers and women, especially pregnant women, about the importance of nutrition for children's growth and development and minimizing unwanted diseases that occur in children in KB Rawa Makmur Village RT 12 RW 01. This community service is Community Service, community description, using audio (visual) methods, using instruments in the form of questionnaires (pre-test and post-test). A total of 30 respondents in this community service were residents of KB Rawa Makmur Village RT 12 RW 01, Bengkulu City. The results of this percentage show that there is progress or advancement in the knowledge that has been obtained by mothers and young women in Rawa Makmur KB Village, Bengkulu City. The conclusion from this activity is that education and counseling can increase knowledge in the community about the importance of the first 1000 days of life for children.

The relationship between nutrition and intestinal health in newborn lambs

Abstract As with all animals, the period in their lives when lambs are most vulnerable is the period before and immediately after birth. Because this period (the suckling period) is the period of clinging to life in an environment open to microorganism contamination after the sterile uterine environment. It is very important that this difficulty can be reduced with good care and feeding practices that must be applied during this period and that the puppy lamb can have a healthy and highly productive life during this risky period and in the future. Regulation and enhancement of the intestinal microbiome is a crucial aspect for optimizing the health and performance of farm animals. This is mainly because diet and management practices greatly affect the intestinal microbiota, resulting in changes in nutrient utilization and the immune system. The intestinal health of newborn lambs is affected by feeding manipulations, as in other ruminants. In this review, the suckling period and digestive system development in newborn lambs are mentioned. Additionally, this review discusses some practices to manipulate intestinal development and microbial colonization in order to improve the production and health of newborn lambs at an early age when they are most susceptible to enteric diseases.

Maternal exposure to low-dose bisphenol A and its potential neurotoxic impact on male pups: A histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study

BackgroundBisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used chemical with a harmful effect on animal and human. The neonatal and juvenile period is a highly risky neurodevelopmental period. AimThis study aimed to determine how male albino rat pups’ cerebral cortex was altered by low doses of BPA given to mothers and the role of the oxidative stress. MethodsThirty pregnant rats were randomly split into three equal groups, negative control, and positive control: received 1 cc of corn oil once a day through gastric tube and BPA treated: a dose of 200 µg/kg/day (dissolved in 1 cc corn oil). The male rat pups of each group were sacrificed at 1 week, 3 weeks and 6 weeks. The cerebra were then separated from the brain for histological and biochemical studies. ResultsRats administered BPA had raised levels of lipid peroxidation marker (MDA), lower levels of enzymatic antioxidants (SOD and CAT) with decreased body, cerebral weights, and decreased levels of non-enzymatic antioxidant defense (GSH). Histo-pathologically, shrunken pyramidal cells with congested blood vessels appeared. GFAP displayed increased number of positive immune-reactive astrocytes with high statistically significant increase in the area % in BPA treated group when compared to the control groups, on contrary to MBP. Semi-thin and ultra-thin BPA-sections revealed degenerative changes in myelinated axons with tiny nucleus and broken nuclear membranes. Lysosomes, dilated endoplasmic reticulum cisternae with noticeable increase in unmyelinated nerve fibers were also observed. ConclusionThe structure of the developing cerebral cortex is negatively impacted by BPA due to oxidative stress.

Vine Copula Approach to Understand the Financial Dependence of the Istanbul Stock Exchange Index

Recently, the complex dependence patterns among various stocks gained more importance. Measuring the dependency structure is critical for investors to manage their portfolio risks. Since the global financial crisis, researchers have been more interested in studying the dynamics of dependency within stock markets by using novel methodologies. This study aims to investigate a Regular-Vine copula approach to estimate the interdependence structure of the Istanbul Stock Exchange index (ISE100). For this purpose, we consider 32 stocks related to 6 sectors belonging to ISE100. To reflect the time-varying impacts of the 2008–2009 global financial crisis, the dependence analysis is conducted over pre-, during-, and post-global financial crisis periods. Portfolio analysis is considered via a rolling window approach to capture the changes in the dependence. We compare the Regular-Vine-based generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) against the conventional GARCH model with different innovations. Value at risk and expected shortfall risk measures are used to validate the models. Additionally, for the constructed portfolios, return performance is summarized using both Sharpe and Sortino ratios. To test the ability of the considered Regular-Vine approach on ISE100, another evaluation has been done during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis with various parameter settings. The main findings across different risky periods illustrate the suitability of using the Regular-vine GARCH approach to model the complex dependence among stocks in emerging market conditions.

Adolescents, parents, and providers' experiences of triadic encounters in paediatric diabetes clinics: A qualitative study.

Adolescents with Type 1 diabetes are a cohort whose self-management of their diabetes care often declines during adolescence which can lead to adverse health outcomes. Research indicates that providers find it challenging to engage adolescents in communication exchanges during triadic encounters in diabetes clinics. Our study aimed to explore adolescents, parents, and providers' experiences of clinic encounters. A qualitative study was conducted with a convenience sample of 13 adolescents with Type 1 diabetes (aged 11-17), 14 parents, and seven providers. Participants were recruited from two outpatient diabetes clinics in two urban children's hospitals, Ireland. Data were obtained using a combination of interviews and focus groups. Data were analysed thematically. Adolescents and their parents appeared to hold both positive and negative experiences of diabetes clinic encounters. Providers reported challenges associated with engaging adolescents in communication exchanges. The structure, focus and style of clinic encounters created barriers that potentially led to suboptimal adolescent participation and impaired provider-adolescent communication during clinic visits. The findings provide insights into the challenges associated with adolescents' engagement in communication encounters in diabetes clinics. Healthcare providers could encourage adolescents to be more actively involved in their diabetes management, by taking an adolescent-centred approach and creating a nonjudgemental milieu. Focusing on adolescent's agenda could lead to more meaningful and relevant discussions between providers and adolescents and ensure more tailored education in the time available. Adolescence is a risky period for nonadherence and adverse health complications; therefore, it is critical that providers make every contact count in diabetes clinic encounters. The study's design and delivery were guided by two advisory groups, comprising (1) five adolescents living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D)and (2) five parents of an adolescent with T1D.

Sickle cell disease and pregnancy

Pregnancy is a particularly risky period in the life of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Physiological changes during pregnancy increase the risk of vaso-occlusive crises (VOC), acute chest syndrome, venous thromboembolic events, and infections. This concerns haemoglobin (Hb) S/C and S/β+-thalassaemia patients as much than S/S or S/β0-thalassaemia patients. SCD also increases the risk of obstetrical complications, such as preeclampsia, in utero foetal death, preterm delivery mostly induced, and intrauterine growth restriction. Thus, pregnancy should be planned and closely monitored by a multidisciplinary team involving obstetricians and sickle cell disease specialists. Before pregnancy, the parents should also be informed about the risk of transmission of this autosomal recessive disease, and the father should therefore be prescribed haemoglobin electrophoresis. Treatments have to be revised when planning pregnancy: hydroxyurea (HU) should be stopped as soon as pregnancy is suspected or confirmed. Preventive blood transfusion is not systematic, but is recommended in the case of a pre-existing transfusion program prior to pregnancy, severe pre-existing organ damage, severe obstetric history, and severe or repeated crises during follow-up, especially in patients taking HU before. Despite the risks of prematurity, systematic administration of corticosteroids for foetal lung maturation is not recommended due to the risk of maternal vaso-occlusive event. Although more frequent, due to obstetrical and maternal complications, caesarean section is not systematic, in the absence of maternal contraindications. It is advisable not to exceed the term of 39 weeks of amenorrhoea. Post-partum follow-up is recommended, particularly because of the risk of thromboembolism.

Changes in autonomy and attachment to parents and caregivers during transition to adult services

The transition from pediatric to adult care is a risky period in the care of a child or adolescent with a chronic illness. This pivotal stage is also part of an evolutionary process of individuation and empowerment that is both global and specific. The security felt, both in relationships with parents and caregivers, is fundamental to these processes. It is this security that will enable the young person to develop nuanced, flexible strategies for adjusting to the different kinds of changes he will have to face in his situation as a patient and, more broadly, in his daily life. Enrolled in multiple networks of relationships, yet autonomous, he or she will become an agent of his or her own life, ofwhich medical care is one aspect.

Perception of Dating Style and Extramarital Sex Behavior in Adolescents of University X in Surakarta City

Adolescence is a time when physical, sexual, psychological, and social changes occur. Adolescence and adolescence are periods of life that range from 10 to 24 years and are risky periods for adolescents. These changes lead adolescents to engage in high-risk behaviors, such as initiation to sexual intercourse, which have important consequences on health. Adolescent girls are at risk of groping/stimulating sensitive body parts during courtship. It also encourages teenagers to engage in sex outside of marriage. The objective is to analyze the perception of dating style towards extramarital sex behavior in adolescents at University X in Surakarta City. This research method uses a qualitative approach, with a case study design. The research informants consisted of the main informants, namely adolescent girls who were students at University X in Surakarta City. The results showed that the majority of adolescent girls' dating style by meeting in person and communicating via WhatsApp. Informants feel sexual attraction or urges when dating. The perception of adolescent vulnerability is high and the perception of seriousness is high to the dangers and impacts of extramarital sex. Adolescents who have a perception of benefits and perceptions of obstacles in dating behavior and sex outside marriage are beneficial, tend to have more encouragement in engaging in extramarital sex acts. Adolescents have confidence and cues to behave in dating and extramarital sex, so they are encouraged to consistently engage in these behaviors.

Modeling and characterization of the impact of capacity limitation services on distribution networks

Various congestion management strategies have been proposed to tackle the operational challenges arising from the widespread integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) in distribution networks. Among these strategies, capacity limitation services have recently gained significant attention. However, comprehensive analyses are essential for system operators to fully understand the impact and effectiveness of these services in distribution networks. In this study, we develop a model to represent the aggregator’s response to capacity limitation services and assess their impact on network states. The proposed model, from the aggregator’s perspective, consists of non-flexible baseload and controllable DERs, optimizing the aggregator’s benefits based on current market conditions without accessing network states. Consequently, system operators must ensure distribution network security while facilitating flexible resources. Given the unavailability of customer privacy and the complexity of multi-period consumption behaviors, system operators concentrate on capturing aggregator behaviors during potentially risky congestion periods. Our analysis specifically aims to quantify the effects of service area coverage, power capacity limitation values, and service durations. We establish an evaluation framework to coordinate various modules by assessing these services under different scenarios. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed model can effectively represent power consumption behavior using partially accessible information. Furthermore, we design an associated procedure to offer distribution system operators valuable insights into system behavior, empowering them to request appropriate services in anticipation of potential operational issues.

Double jeopardy: Gendered social policy for two risky life periods in six welfare state contexts

This study adopts a cultural gendered perspective to examine policy in two financially risky periods in women's life course: when raising young children and in post-employment in old age, when income is mainly from pensions. Specifically, we look at the intersection of social policy and cultural schemas of motherhood in relation to two policy axes: family policy and old age policy. The analysis is based on a cross-national comparison of social policies in six countries with significantly different welfare state and cultural traditions: Germany, France, Israel, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. Data are gleaned from document analysis of care and pension policies and the database of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The policy analysis revealed nuanced differences between countries that are captured through a typology composed of the level of generosity in family policy and the level of generosity in old age policy. The analysis addresses a research lacuna regarding the intersection between gendered cultural schemas and the generosity of socialpolicies and its plausible relation to the genderedness of old-age vulnerability.

The effects of organic fertilizer on loss risk of nitrogen and phosphorus in paddy ponded water.

There is a great challenge globally for both achieving high crop yields via fertilization and minimizing environmental pollution from nutrient losses. Organic fertilizer (OF) application has been extensively reported to effectively improve arable soil fertility and mitigate nutrient losses. However, few studies are available that accurately quantified the substitution rates of OF for chemical fertilizers (CF) that affect rice yield, the nitrogen/phosphorus in ponded water, and its loss potential in paddy field. Here, an experiment with 5 levels of CF nitrogen substituted by OF nitrogen was performed during the early stage of rice growth in paddy field of Southern China. The results showed that the first 6days and 3days following fertilization generally were risky period for N losses and for P losses, respectively, due to corresponding high concentrations in ponded water. Compared to CF treatment, over 30% of OF substitution rates significantly decreased the daily mean TN concentrations by 24.5-32.4%, while TP concentrations unaffected and rice yield maintained comparative levels. OF substitution also improved acidic paddy soils, with the increment of 0.33-0.90 unit for ponded water pH compared to CF treatment. Conclusively, the 30-40% of CF substituted by OF based on N amounts can be considered an ecological fertilization practice for rice production to mitigate environmental pollution due to lower N losses and without significant effect of grain yield. However, the attention also must be paid concerning the rise of environmental pollution risk from NH3 volatilization and P runoff after long-term OF application.

Systemic risk and financial system network using financial risk meter: the case of Vietnam

ABSTRACT In the financial market, systemic risk is defined as the possibility that an event at the company level could trigger severe instability or collapse of an entire industry or the whole economy. Thus, understanding systemic risk is crucial for the financial institutions, large corporations, investors and regulators. This article investigates systemic risk and spillover effect using the new Financial Risk Meter ( F R M ) index, which is obtained from running quantile linear regression and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator ( L A S S O ) method. The F R M index is obtained to identify the highly risky periods, the contributors to systemic risk and the potential activators of spillover effect. Moreover, interconnection between firms can be visualized as a network. We use a data set consisting of daily stock returns from 35 financial institutions and real estate firms in Vietnam, combined with 4 macroeconomic variables over the period from November 2011 to December 2020. The findings indicate that over the considered period, some detected highly risky periods are 2012, 2018 and 2020, probably due to the non-performing loan crisis in Vietnam, US-China trade war and global COVID-19 outbreak. Some active activators of risk spillover effect are also identified.

Spatio-temporal stochastic differential equations for crime incidence modeling

We propose a methodology for the quantitative fitting and forecasting of real spatio-temporal crime data, based on stochastic differential equations. The analysis is focused on the city of Valencia, Spain, for which 90247 robberies and thefts with their latitude-longitude positions are available for a span of eleven years (2010–2020) from records of the 112-emergency phone. The incidents are placed in the 26 zip codes of the city (46001–46026), and monthly time series of crime are built for each of the zip codes. Their annual-trend components are modeled by Itô diffusion, with jointly correlated noises to account for district-level relations. In practice, this study may help simulate spatio-temporal situations and identify risky areas and periods from present and past data.

Suicidal and Homicidal Thoughts as Psychotic Symptoms in an Adolescent: A Case Report.

The first episode of psychotic disorders often occurs in adolescence. Depressive symptoms are the most common symptoms in the prodromal period and the symptoms in this period are not specific to psychosis. Adolescence is a risky period in terms of suicidal behaviors. The risk of self-harm is further increased in the prodromal period and in the psychotic episode. Homicides in psychosis constitute a small part of all homicidal cases and homicidal thoughts have been associated with command hallucinations and delusions. In this article, an adolescent girl with psychosis who had intense homicidal and suicidal thoughts and self-harming behaviors will be presented, and homicidal thoughts in psychosis will be discussed. The symptoms of the case decreased with risperidone, and she started to socialize with the support of her teacher, who visited her house for lectures. The medical, legal, and social aspects of suicides and homicides in psychosis are discussed. Keywords: Adolescent, psychosis, homicidal, suicidal.

Mental health and intentions to quit among nurses in Iran during COVID-19 Pandemic: A social identity approach.

The positive effects of social identification on mental health are well documented in the literature. However, most of this research has been conducted among small groups in WEIRD (Western Educated Industrialized Rich and Democratic Henrich, Heine, & Norenzayan, 2010, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 33, 61) settings. Understanding how social identity as a psychological source can improve resilience and welfare among frontline healthcare workers in non-WEIRD contexts can help to alleviate the negative impact of large-scale epidemics overall, especially in resource-poor settings and contribute towards improved welfare of key healthcare workers. The present research investigates whether identifying as a nurse could influence mental health and intentions to quit directly and indirectly via positive and negative emotions among a unique sample of Iranian nurses (N=462) during a risky period, the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple regression results showed that identifying as a nurse was negatively associated with negative emotions which in turn were positively related to depressive symptoms. In a similar vein, identifying as a nurse was positively associated with positive emotions which, in turn, were negatively related to intentions to quit. Results also confirmed that risk perceptions related to COVID-19 positively moderated the effect of social identification on negative emotions only. That is, identification as a nurse was associated with reduced negative emotions only when perceived risk was low. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the findings.

Association between the bi-dimensional aspect of orthorexia and healthy behaviors among lebanese adolescents

BackgroundRecently, there has been a blooming focus on “eating healthy and clean”, with the ideal of being healthy becoming a popular lifestyle trend. Previous research suggested the presence of two forms of orthorexia: Orthorexia Nervosa (OrNe) and Healthy Orthorexia (HeOr). Taking into consideration that orthorexia thoughts are led by the desire to reach an optimal physical health, the dedication to a healthy living may require healthy lifestyle habits: smoking cessation, moderate alcohol intake, and increased physical activity. The main study aim was to determine, among Lebanese adolescents, the association between healthy behaviors and the two likely forms of orthorexia (OrNe and HeOr), given that the adolescent phase is a risky period in the development of eating disorders.MethodsA cross-sectional study, conducted between January and April 2022, enrolled 444 adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years, with an equitable random sample from all the Lebanese governorates (mean age 16.23 ± 1.15 years; 60.1% females). The Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS) was used to assess orthorexic eating tendencies. The Lebanese Waterpipe Dependence Scale, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test scales, all validated in adolescents, were used to evaluate the association between orthorexia and healthy behaviors.ResultsHigher TOS OrNe scores were significantly and highly correlated with the TOS HeOr scores (r = 0.68; p < 0.001). In the bivariate analysis, waterpipe smoking was weakly but significantly associated with more OrNe, whereas more physical activity was significantly and moderately associated with more HeOr. After adjusting over all sociodemographic characteristics, other behaviors and the other dimension of orthorexia, more alcohol use disorder was significantly but strongly associated with higher OrNe, whereas more physical activity remained significantly associated with higher HeOr.ConclusionIn light of our results, OrNe and HeOr might be considered as different entities, mainly in their associations with alcohol consumption and physical activity. This supports the hypothesis of OrNe being a new form of eating disorder, whereas HeOr possibly showing protective characteristics. Orthorexia is still a topic of controversy, especially in the probable presence of two facets that are still difficult to differentiate.

Meningkatkan Kesehatan Ibu Pascapersalinan melalui Model Promosi M-Health Interaktif

Introduction: The postpartum period is a risky period. Maternal mortality in Semarang City was ranked in the top 5 in 2015-2018. Almost 75% of maternal deaths in the city of Semarang occur during the puerperium.Objectives: to increase the participant’s understanding so that they can apply an interactive online health promotion model for postpartum care at the Bandarharjo Public Health Center, SemarangMethods: The approach used in this activity is to explain the model, how to apply the model, and the benefits obtained for midwives and couples of pregnant women and husbands. This activity also shows flyers and promotional videos explaining how to assist pregnant women and husbands during the model intervention.Results: A total of 9 participants consisting of the Head of the Puskesmas, coordinating midwives, midwives, health promotion workers, and nurses, participated in this activity. Analysis of the questionnaire responses showed that the model was attractive, could help the midwife's work, needed, useful, practical, innovative, easy to use, informative, and trustworthy. The overall assessment of the model by the participants was acceptable. Input from one of the participants was to provide a promotional video link to make it easier for members to search again and propose to design a stunting prevention promotion model.Conclusions: The use of an interactive online health promotion model for postpartum care can be accepted by health workers to help promote health for pregnant women and husbands.

Knowledge of Sexuality and Contraception in Students at a Spanish University: A Descriptive Study.

Youth is a period characterized by impulsiveness and risk-taking. This population often feels invulnerable and has a strong motivation to seek out their identity. These characteristics make it a risky age period for an unwanted pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the level of knowledge about sexuality and contraception among nursing students at the University of Jaen. The students completed a 16-item questionnaire assessing their knowledge level about sexuality and contraception. A bivariate analysis was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis H and Mann–Whitney U tests. Later, an ordinal logistic regression model was generated. The sample consisted of 130 participants, with an average age of 20.36 years. The level of knowledge about sexuality and contraception was moderately high, 10.38 points out of 16. The factors associated with the probability of accordingly presenting a high level of knowledge were being a woman, having studied in a public institution, not having used any contraceptive method in the first sexual experience, and wishing to use a contraceptive pill in future sexual relations. In conclusion, the knowledge level about sexuality and contraception is high, although it is necessary to assess whether this level of high knowledge translates to the use of contraceptive methods in future sexual experiences.