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Background: The relationship between climate adaptation strategies and nutrition security is poorly understood and often unclear. Although several adaptation strategies have been implemented to mitigate the impact of climate change, there is still a lack of conclusive evidence or studies on the interrelationships between adopted climate change adaptation strategies and nutrition outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework that links climate change, adaptation strategies and nutrition and to show the indicators that can be used to assess the impact of climate adaptation strategies on nutrition. Methodology: The proposed conceptual framework was developed through a literature review. Results: A generic conceptual framework that could be used to assess the impact of adopted climate change adaptation strategies on nutrition outcomes was developed. The framework consists of 5 key elements: agro-food system, context characteristics, adaptation strategies, climatic shocks and stress, and system output. The principles used in designing the conceptual framework include systems approach, contingency theory, and system output. Conclusion: The developed framework offers a channel to evaluate adopted climate change adaptation strategies and their impact on nutrition outcomes. Such a conceptual framework can also be used in selecting and identifying more suitable climate adaptation strategies given specific contextual environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) fall frequently. Community-delivered exercise and education reduce falls in older adults, but their efficacy in multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown. Objectives: To evaluate the impact of the Free From Falls (FFF) group education and exercise program on falls in PwMS. Methods: This was a prospective, assessor-blinded, two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial. Ninety-six participants were randomized to FFF (eight weekly 2 hour sessions) or the control condition (a fall prevention brochure and informing their neurologist of their fall history). Participants counted falls prospectively from enrollment through 6 months following intervention. Effects on fall frequency were evaluated by the Bayesian analysis. Results: The modeled mean fall frequency pre-intervention was 1.2 falls/month in the FFF group (95% credible intervals (CIs) = 0.8–2.0) and 1.4 falls/month in the control group (95% CI = 0.9–2.1). Fall frequency decreased by 0.6 falls/month in both groups over time (nadir 4–6 months post-intervention: FFF 0.6 falls/month (95% CI = 0.4–0.9); control 0.8 falls/month (95% CI = 0.5–1.1)). Conclusion: In-person group exercise and education are not superior to written education and neurologist-initiated interventions for preventing falls in PwMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How underdeveloped localities or subnational regions build the capabilities to realise and spread the benefits of innovation is a longstanding puzzle in innovation studies. To address this puzzle, this study explores the prospects of innovation networking among state and non-state actors in Frances Baard District Municipality, South Africa. In-depth analysis of extensive interviews with key informants across local industry sectors reveals insights about the properties of innovation networks, such as composition and structure, as well as options of network adaptation and combining sectoral networks operating in the same locality. Non-formal networking was far more prevalent across well-established and newer industry clusters, which is similar to examples from elsewhere in the Global South. Networks established to coordinate institutional governance without an explicit innovation intent could trigger learning, adaption and serendipitous innovations. Further research could extend our findings through deeper investigations on network adaption and coordination for the promotion of innovation in aspiring subnational regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cook et al. reported a 97% scientific consensus on anthropogenic global warming (AGW), based on a study of 11,944 abstracts in peer-reviewed science journals. Powell claims that the Cook et al. methodology was flawed and that the true consensus is virtually unanimous at 99.99%. Powell’s method underestimates the level of disagreement because it relies on finding explicit rejection statements as well as the assumption that abstracts without a stated position endorse the consensus. Cook et al.’s survey of the papers’ authors revealed that papers may express disagreement with AGW despite the absence of a rejection statement in the abstract. Surveys reveal a large gap between the public perception of the degree of scientific consensus on AGW and reality. We argue that it is the size of this gap, rather than the small difference between 97% and 99.99%, that matters in communicating the true state of scientific opinion to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the longitudinal relationship between loneliness and isolation. Method: Participants included 5,870 adults 65 years and older (M = 72.89 ± 5.59 years) from the first 5 years of the Cardiovascular Health Study. Loneliness was assessed using a dichotomized loneliness question. Social isolation was assessed using six items from the Lubben Social Network Scale. Yearly life events were included to assess abrupt social network changes. Mixed effects logistic regression was employed to analyze the relationship between isolation and loneliness. Results: Higher levels of social isolation were associated with higher odds of loneliness, as was an increase (from median) in level of social isolation. Life events such as a friend dying were also associated with increased odds of loneliness. Discussion: These results suggest that average level of isolation and increases in the level of isolation are closely tied to loneliness, which has implications for future assessment or monitoring of loneliness in older adult populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a practical method for ensuring long-term venous access. The technique provides practical and reliable venous access for periods in excess of 6 weeks and necessitates a minor surgical procedure for introduction of the catheter. The operation calls for an experienced surgeon and approximately one hour for its completion. The method is suitable both for infusion and repeated blood sampling.