Search

BackgroundA diet high in fermentable, oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) has been shown to exacerbate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Previous literature reports significant improvement in IBS symptoms with initiation of a low FODMAP diet (LFD) and monitored reintroduction. However, dietary adherence to the LFD is difficult, with patients stating that the information given by health care providers is often generalized and nonspecific, requiring them to search for supplementary information to fit their needs. ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to determine whether Heali, a novel artificial intelligence dietary mobile app can improve adherence to the LFD, IBS symptom severity, and quality of life outcomes in adults with IBS or IBS-like symptoms over a 4-week period. MethodsParticipants were randomized into 2 groups: the control group (CON), in which participants received educational materials, and the experimental group (APP), in which participants received access to the mobile app and educational materials. Over the course of this unblinded online trial, all participants completed a battery of 5 questionnaires at baseline and at the end of the trial to document IBS symptoms, quality of life, LFD knowledge, and LFD adherence. ResultsWe enrolled 58 participants in the study (29 in each group), and 25 participants completed the study in its entirety (11 and 14 for the CON and APP groups, respectively). Final, per-protocol analyses showed greater improvement in quality of life score for the APP group compared to the CON group (31.1 and 11.8, respectively; P=.04). Reduction in total IBS symptom severity score was 24% greater for the APP group versus the CON group. Although this did not achieve significance (–170 vs –138 respectively; P=.37), the reduction in the subscore for bowel habit dissatisfaction was 2-fold greater for the APP group than for the CON group (P=.05). ConclusionsThis initial study provides preliminary evidence that Heali may provide therapeutic benefit to its users, specifically improvements in quality of life and bowel habits. Although this study was underpowered, findings from this study warrant further research in a larger sample of participants to test the efficacy of Heali app use to improve outcomes for patients with IBS. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04256551; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04256551

Women who attain more education tend to have children with more educational opportunities, a transmission of educational advantages across generations that is embedded in the larger structures of families' societies. Investigating such country-level variation with a life-course model, this study estimated associations of mothers' educational attainment with their young children's enrollment in early childhood education and engagement in cognitively stimulating activities in a pooled sample of 36,400 children (n = 17,900 girls, 18,500 boys) drawn from nationally representative data sets from Australia, Ireland, U.K., and U.S. Results showed that having a mother with a college degree generally differentiated young children on these two outcomes more in the U.S., potentially reflecting processes related to strong relative advantage (i.e., maternal education matters more in populations with lower rates of women's educational attainment) and weak contingent protection (i.e., it matters more in societies with less policy investment in families).

Many efforts have been made to enroll more women and other underrepresented groups into STEM fields, including the current NSF-funded S-STEM (S-4) program at our University. S-4 aims to increase enrollment and retention in STEM majors through student activities such as a summer transition to University program, the development of a Learning Community, seminars to expose students to STEM graduate programs and careers, and student support workshops. The S-4 scholarship program is an innovative response to the needs of first generation college students in STEM. While recruitment for this program was more challenging than expected, student retention in the program has exceeded expectation. This study tracked students science identity over the first year in the S-4 program to learn about the types of support that contributed to a science identity and persistence. Scholars were surveyed and interviewed at the end of the summer transition to university program in the first year of our grant, and again at the end of their first year of coursework. In addition to the financial supports, peer collaborations and support groups contributed to the success of students from underrepresented groups. Interviews indicated growth in confidence and STEM identity.

Children's early experiences have potential to shape their development through early childhood, middle childhood, and into adolescence. Family structure at birth and material hardship may offer insight into how children's health and well‐being are shaped within their family of origin. The current paper examined (a) the association between family structure at birth and material hardship 1‐year post‐birth and (b) the differential impact of race on the associations between family structure and material hardship. We further explored the association between family structure and material hardship on self‐reported health in (a) middle childhood and (b) adolescence. Using the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing dataset, an ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions and structural equation path models (SEM) were used to examine associations between family structure, material hardship, and health outcomes (body mass index [BMI], anxiety, and suicidal ideation). Results indicated that family structure predicted material hardship at 1‐year until maternal characteristics were taken into account. Race/ethnicity did not moderate the association. Also, family structure at birth was indirectly associated with youth anxiety through material hardship but did not account for BMI or sucidical ideation. Social supports and state policies should prioritize maternal health access and ensure families are able to meet their basic needs to mitigate children's health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family structure changes experienced by children are likely to shape their transitions into young adulthood, including the formation of their own romantic relationships. This study examined links between children's family structure trajectories from childhood through adolescence and their timing of entry into cohabitation as young adults, a transition with implications for future relationship instability through adulthood. Repeated measures latent class analysis identified configurations of family structures and family structure changes from birth through age 15 among 10,706 young people in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 Children and Young Adults. A Cox proportional hazard model then used the resulting classes to predict timing into cohabitation over the period from age 15 to age 38. Both timing of family structure transitions and the type of transitions (e.g., early transitioning into a stepfamily home) were associated with earlier entry into cohabitation. Notably, links between family structure trajectories and the timing of cohabitation differed by gender and race/ethnicity (Latinx, African American, White), such as a faster entry into cohabitation by women who experienced early entry into stepfamily structures. Regardless of gender, Latinx and White young adults were faster to enter into cohabitation if they lived in a stepfamily structure during early childhood.

Symbolic interaction and stage-environment fit theories were used to examine associations between several aspects of the perceived school environment and youths' school-related experiences during the first semester of middle school in a sample of 390 youth living in a southeastern U.S. county. Perceived school environment included learning climate, academic rigor, teacher support, and school safety. School-related experiences included school satisfaction, engagement in school, and successful efforts to avoid getting into trouble at school. School satisfaction was predicted by a positive learning climate, teacher support, and school safety. Engagement was predicted by a positive learning climate and teacher support. Trouble avoidance was predicted by school safety. Some of these associations differed by prior grades, for boys and girls, and for Black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White youth. The findings provide important information that can guide development of support systems for youth as they enter middle school.

Depressive disorders are the most prevalent mental health conditions in the world. The commonly prescribed antidepressant medications can have serious side effects, and their efficacy varies widely. Thus, simple, effective adjunct therapies are needed. Vinegar, a fermented acetic acid solution, is emerging as a healthful dietary supplement linked to favorable outcomes for blood glucose management, heart disease risk, and adiposity reduction, and a recent report suggests vinegar may improve symptoms of depression. This randomized controlled study examined the 4-week change in scores for the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) in healthy overweight adults ingesting 2.95 g acetic acid (4 tablespoons vinegar) vs. 0.025 g acetic acid (one vinegar pill) daily. A secondary objective explored possible underlying mechanisms using metabolomics analyses. At week 4, mean CES-D scores fell 26% and 5% for VIN and CON participants respectively, a non-significant difference between groups, and mean PHQ-9 scores fell 42% and 18% for VIN and CON participants (p = 0.036). Metabolomics analyses revealed increased nicotinamide concentrations and upregulation of the NAD+ salvage pathway for VIN participants compared to controls, metabolic alterations previously linked to improved mood. Thus, daily vinegar ingestion over four weeks improved self-reported depression symptomology in healthy overweight adults, and enhancements in niacin metabolism may factor into this improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fatigue design guidelines which focus on welded joints, when the applied loading is of variable amplitude (variable amplitude loading, VAL), the slope of the S‐N curves at endurances above the slope transition point (STP) changes from m to m + 2 in DNV‐RP‐C203 and BS7608. However, the position of the STP is different in BS7608 and DNV RP C203. This results in different calculated fatigue lives and the difference in calculated fatigue life can be significant. In order to provide better guidance to industry on the approach to use for fatigue analysis of girth welds in pipelines and risers specifically, TWI and DNV carried out a project where the ultimate aim was to provide guidance on a common S‐N curve suitable for calculating the fatigue life of girth welds with focus on the slope change area of the S‐N curves. This was attempted by re‐analyzing TWI's and DNV's databases of girth weld fatigue test results and comparing the outcomes. Although it was not possible to agree on a single STP from the analysis carried out, regression analysis of high endurance results from the databases suggest that an STP between the two current values 1E7 and 5E7 may be plausible. This is supported by fracture mechanics analysis, which suggests that the position of the STP depends on the fatigue Class, and the magnitude of the applied stress ranges. Highlights: The industry needs a common approach to the fatigue design of girth welds.TWI and DNV have large databases of girth weld fatigue test results.A joint analysis was carried out by both DNV and TWI.The work is a step towards the unification of fatigue design codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]