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The objective of this study was to evaluate and improve the prediction models of the AutoFOM III and FOM II apparatuses (Frontmatec Group, Denmark) used to estimate the lean meat percentage (LMP) of pig carcasses in Belgium, since the current models underestimate the pig carcasses with a LMP higher than 66 %. Non-linearity in the backfat thickness (BT) parameters was identified as the main reason for this bias in prediction. Box-Cox transformation of the parameters R2P10, R2P8 and R2P4 from AutoFOM III allowed to lower the root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) of the model from 1.72 to 1.59, while simultaneously removing the bias of the high LMP carcasses. For the FOM II apparatus, there was no effect of the transformation of the only BT parameter on the RMSEP (2.15 before and 2.14 after transformation) and on the bias. Next to the transformation, it was investigated whether adding other information about the carcasses could also improve the RMSEP of the prediction models. The parameters hot carcass weight, carcass length, ham width, ham angle and sex were added to the original models without transformation and lowered the RMSEP from AutoFOM III and FOM II to 1.55 and 1.83 respectively. Finally, the best results were found by combining the Box-Cox transformation and adding other carcass parameters, resulting in RMSEP values of 1.50 and 1.82 for AutoFOM III and FOM II respectively, on top of the removal of the high LMP bias. IMPLICATIONS: Accurate estimation of the lean meat percentage of pig carcasses is of great economic importance for the pig production and slaughtering sector, so every opportunity to increase precision should be seized. This study shows that the current linear prediction models can be improved by taking into account non-linearity, depending on the device. An even larger increase in precision can be achieved by adding carcass information that is currently not measured or not linked to the classification device but that is partly already available at the slaughterline., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Trauma communication in refugee families is increasingly recognized as an important relational dynamic influencing psychosocial well-being, yet studies exploring interactional dynamics and meaning making at play in intra-family trauma communication remain scarce. This article reports on a qualitative study with Kurdish refugee families including parents (N = 10) and children (N = 17) resettled in Belgium, aiming to explore practices on trauma communication within refugee family relationships. In a multiple-phased qualitative design, semi-structured family interviews and participant observation administered in the homes of the participant families are followed by parental interviews involving a tape-assisted recall procedure to investigate observed intergenerational trauma communication and parent-child interactions. Data analysis shows parents and children seldom explicitly talked about the families' lived experiences of trauma. This silence was especially related to parental wishes to avoid their children's future involvement in violence. However, findings also indicate how the intra-family transmission of memories of collective violence occurs in many subtle ways. Four modes of indirect trauma communication could be distinguished: (1) focusing on the repetition of violence in the present; (2) transmission of the collective trauma history; (3) family storytelling; and (4) interaction with meaningful objects of the past. These findings shed light onto the interwoven nature of personal-familial and collective trauma and loss and illuminate the meanings of silence and disclosure in the context of the Kurdish diaspora. In the final section, we discuss our findings and outline its clinical implications for family therapeutic practices in refugee trauma care., (© 2024 Family Process Institute.)

The main goal of the Belgian Warmblood horse studbook (BWP) is to breed successful competition horses, with emphasis on show jumping. However, competition results are only available later in life and competition traits are lowly heritable. Hence, the use of phenotypes that record performance-related traits at an early life stage could help increase genetic progress. In this study, we evaluated the potential of eleven linear scored early life jumping traits assessed during jumping in freedom (2-5 years old) or under the saddle (4-6 years old) as proxies for later success in show jumping competitions. To this end, we estimated their heritabilities and genetic correlations with the competition trait, adjusted fence height, by using 2170 free jumping records, 1588 jumping under saddle records, 674,527 show jumping competition records and almost 81,000 informative horses in the pedigree. As participation of young horses in these contests is on a voluntary basis, a pre-selection most probably exists. To verify this hypothesis, we investigated the association between participation to young horse contests and participation to show jumping competitions later on (called here start status phenotype). We also estimated heritabilities for "start status in free jumping contest", "start status in jumping under saddle contest" and "start status in free jumping or jumping under saddle contest" by fitting threshold models. Furthermore, we calculated genetic correlations between these traits and adjusted fence height and calculated the correlations between EBVs for start status in young horse contests and EBVs for success in competitions. Estimated heritabilities of early life jumping traits ranged between 0.05 and 0.30. Their genetic correlations with adjusted fence height were moderate to high (r g  = 0.37-0.63). Relatively more horses that participated in young horse contests competed later on compared to horses that did not participate in young horse contests (p-value < 0.001). They were also significantly more successful in show jumping competitions. Furthermore, start status in young horse contests was moderately heritable in BWP horses (h 2  = 0.56-0.65) and moderately to highly correlated with later success in competitions (r g  = 0.30-0.77). Hence, we showed that ELJ traits are good proxies for later success in competitions and that a pre-selection of horses occurs in young horse contests. It is suggested to stimulate participation to young horse contests to achieve a more representative sample of the population. Early life jumping traits can therefore optimize the genetic progress for show jumping performance., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

This study explored supportive relational processes for immigrant children's well-being between peers, teachers, and parents in the development of school-based creative interventions in European multi-ethnic societies. Within the present study, we integrated the perspectives of teachers and parents to broaden the dominant focus on the assessment of individual symptomatology within the existing body of studies of school-based interventions studies. As a part of a larger multi-method study on the implementation of a creative expression program for immigrant children ages 8-12 years in three schools in Belgium, we conducted focus group discussions to learn parents' and teachers' perspectives on the role of school-based creative interventions in children's coping with histories of migration and life in exile. Parents and teachers identified the need for the intervention to foster emotional expression impacting children's self-esteem and social connectedness with peers and to foster emotional connections between parents, teachers, and children. Parents also stressed the importance of the intervention within society as a forum to engage with social conditions, promote cultural belonging, and social integration. Results identified the importance of school-based interventions in terms of individual benefits as well as connectedness and coherence in entire communities, thereby strengthening the development of transcultural research evidence for school-based interventions in multi-ethnic societies., (Copyright © 2023 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: European countries face the challenge of promoting refugee and immigrant children's well-being within their host communities, invoking the necessity of adequate mental health assessment. This study aims to contribute to document the psychosocial well-being of primary school refugee and non-refugee immigrant children in Flanders, Belgium., Method: A total of 120 children (8-12 years old) with migration backgrounds participated in the study. Through self-report, parent and teacher questionnaires we scrutinized externalizing and internalizing behavioral problems, post-traumatic stress problems, and classroom relationships., Results: Thirty percent of the participants reported high levels of post-traumatic stress; around 25% reported a high or very high prevalence of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems. Self-reported mental health problems are elevated in comparison to the general population. Refugee children did not report more difficulties than their immigrant peers. In the perception of parents and teachers, respectively 20% and 5% of children showed high or very high amounts of internalizing and externalizing behavioral difficulties. Almost 70% of the participants perceived the class climate as unsafe., Conclusions: Refugee and immigrant children are at risk for mental health difficulties, and experience classroom dynamics as markedly distressful. School-based intervention might be particularly suited to support these children's psychosocial well-being in resettlement.

The effect of hydrogen peroxide-induced protein oxidation and pH (4.8 and 5.2) on meat proteolysis was investigated in a meat model system for dry fermented sausages. In oxidised samples, increased protein carbonyl contents and decreased thiol concentrations were found. The initial concentration of protein carbonyls was significantly lower in oxidised samples at pH4.8 than in ones at pH5.2, but after ten days comparable levels were reached. The inhibition of proteolysis by the addition of a protease inhibitor cocktail did not influence protein oxidation. Yet, proteolysis was negatively affected by low pH values as well as by oxidation, resulting in a reduced release of amino acids during ripening., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The supply of tender beef is an important challenge for the beef industry. Knowledge about the profile of consumers who are more optimistic or more accurate in their tenderness evaluations is important for product development and beef marketing purposes. Central location tests of beef steaks were performed in Norway and Belgium (n=218). Instrumental and sensorial tenderness of three muscles from Belgian Blue and Norwegian Red cattle was reported. Consumers who are optimistically evaluating tenderness were found to be more often male, less food neophobic, more positive towards beef healthiness, and showed fewer concerns about beef safety. No clear profile emerged for consumers who assessed tenderness similar to shear force measurements, which suggests that tenderness is mainly evaluated subjectively. The results imply a window of opportunities in tenderness improvements, and allow targeting a market segment which is less critical towards beef tenderness., (© 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The effect of dog rose (Rosa canina L.; RC), rich in polyphenols and ascorbic acid, on lipid and protein oxidation, colour stability and texture of frankfurters was investigated. Four treatments were prepared: with 5 or 30 g/kg RC extract and without sodium ascorbate and sodium nitrite (5RC and 30RC, respectively), a positive control (with sodium ascorbate and sodium nitrite; PC) and a negative control (without sodium ascorbate, sodium nitrite or RC extract; NC). Hexanal values were much higher throughout storage in NC compared to RC and PC frankfurters (P<0.001). The RC extracts protected against protein oxidation, but not as efficiently as PC (P<0.05). In the RC treated frankfurters, lower a* values were measured compared to PC due to the lack of sodium nitrite. In conclusion, dog rose can act as a natural antioxidant in frankfurters, but not as full replacer for sodium nitrite., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

European consumers increasingly attach value to process characteristics of food. Although beef technologies are hardly communicated to consumers, providing consumer-oriented information about technology application might increase perceived transparency and consumer acceptance. This study investigates how information about beef technologies influences consumer expectations and liking of beef. Beef consumers in Belgium (n = 108) and Norway (n = 110) participated in an information experiment combined with sensory testing in which each consumer tasted three beef muscles treated with different technologies: unprocessed tenderloin M. Psoas major, muscle profiled M. Infraspinatus, and marinated (by injection) M. Semitendinosus. The findings indicate that detailed information about beef technologies can enhance consumers' expectations and liking of beef. However, this effect differs between countries and beef technologies. Information becomes either less relevant when the product is actually tasted, as indicated by the findings in Norway, or more relevant when information is confirmed by own experience during tasting, as indicated by the findings in Belgium., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

According to the EUPRIS-study on mental health in prisons (2007), available data on mental disorders in prison are scarce. Therefore, this study aims at summarizing and discussing the available knowledge on incarcerated mentally ill offenders concerning: (1) the screening and assessment for detecting mental health; (2) the psychiatric expertise in order to evaluate the mental status; and (3) the development and provision of forensic psychiatric treatment and care. These findings will be applied to the current situation in Belgium, which is a particularly interesting case. Belgium is currently facing difficulties concerning a large population of interned mentally ill offenders residing in correctional establishments. Implications with regard to the penal code, general or mental health legislation, screening, assessment, and treatment could deliver interesting viewpoints on how this problem could be tackled more effectively. Therefore, the findings will be discussed with reference to the international scientific and policy debate, focusing on ethical implications., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Polymorphisms described in literature for several candidate genes affecting meat and carcass quality traits were analysed in pigs of pure breeds and hybrid lines used in Belgium. Associations with phenotypic traits were also examined when possible. A total of 92 pigs were screened for a HincII polymorphism in the calpain, large polypeptide L3 (CAPN3) gene, but all tested animals revealed homogenous. A HinfI heart fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) gene polymorphism was tested in 74 pigs, of which 51 had known intramuscular fat content. The frequency of the H allele, characterised by an additional HinfI restriction site compared to the h allele, varied between 0.5 and 1 for the different breeds or lines. No animals of the hh genotype were present and no association with the intramuscular fat content was apparent. An AluI polymorphism in the adrenocorticotrope hormone receptor (MC2R) gene and a SacII polymorphism in the uncoupling protein (UCP2) gene were examined in 368 and 392 pigs respectively, with 330 pigs shared. For both genes, one allele was clearly predominant with an overall frequency of 0.90 and 0.94 respectively. A few lines or breeds differed from the overall pattern. There was no association between the frequencies of the MC2R and UCP2 gene polymorphisms. Due to the low frequency of one of the homozygous genotypes for both genes, a possible association with carcass fat thickness could not be properly examined, but the large differences between both homozygous genotypes nevertheless deserve further attention. The MC2R gene polymorphism was also tested on 246 piglets that have died from colibacillosis. Remarkably, the frequencies of the subordinate allele and the corresponding homozygous genotype were much higher in this population compared to the healthy pig population examined.

A PCR-RFLP of intron 1 and intron 2 of the Nramp1 gene described as a potential candidate gene in controlling pig resistance to Salmonella infections was optimised and an association between the Salmonella status and the polymorphisms was investigated. For intron 1 new primers were designed and the amplicon of 622 bp was restricted with Hinf I to give fragments of 280 bp, 220 bp and 100 bp for allele A and 76 bp, 100 bp, 144 bp, and 280 bp for allele B. For intron 2 a new polymorphism was detected (a deletion) with fragments of 210 bp and 199 bp after amplification respectively for allele A and B. The frequency of allele B and A was 0.93 and 0.90 on a total of 180 and 205 pigs for the polymorphism in intron 1 and intron 2 respectively in a mixed population of hybrid and purebred pigs. Similar allele frequencies of allele B and A of 0.90 and 0.91 respectively in intron 1 and intron 2 were found in a sample of 392 and 391 slaughter pigs. In the latter population, no association between the Nramp1 genotypes and the colon Salmonella status or the ELISA status could be demonstrated.