Le Thuy Truong, Wilhelm Robert Glomm, Peter Patrick Molesworth
Encapsulation of fish oil within oleogels can potentially prevent oxidation and enable its use in food with programmable release within the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we report on the formation of oleogels from two different fish oils—salmon oil (SO) and cod liver oil (CLO)—using different concentrations of either rice bran wax (RBW) or myristic acid (MA) as gelators. The gels were assessed with respect to their structural, thermal, viscosity, digestive, and oxidative properties. Polarized light microscopy (POM) revealed that RBW consistently produced dense, interconnected crystalline networks across both oils, while MA formed larger, spherulitic crystals that were more sensitive to the oil type. This was further supported by time-lapse imaging, showing faster crystal growth of MA in cod liver oil. Viscosity studies indicate that the molecular weight and concentration of gelator, as well as the type of fish oil (SO vs. CLO), significantly impact the shear stability of the oleogels. Thermal and viscosity analyses confirmed that RBW-based oleogels exhibited higher crystallization temperatures and stronger viscoelastic behaviour. Based on oxidative stability measurements—as measured by peroxide value (PV) analysis—encapsulation within oleogels does not lead to significant oxidation of the fish oils and also attenuates further oxidation upon storage. The fish oil oleogels were stable when exposed to either simulated gastric or intestinal fluids (SGF and SIF, respectively), but decomposed after sequential exposure first to SGF and then to SIF. These findings could broaden the range of food products which can be fortified with fish oils.
Laura Posarić, Sabina Strmić Palinkaš, Johan Hilmo
et al.
Abstract The Kåfjord area in northern Norway hosts numerous Cu deposits that were subjected to mining activities back in the nineteenth century. Relicts of the historical mining activity are still visible at several abandoned mines and associated mine waste disposal sites that may represent an environmental threat. The area was subjected to mining activities during the nineteenth century and abandoned mines and associated mine waste disposal sites still may represent a significant environmental threat. The Cu mineralization, found within the Paleoproterozoic Alta-Kvænangen Tectonic Window, primarily occurs as epigenetic sulfide-quartz-carbonate hydrothermal veins that crosscut the Kvenvik volcano-sedimentary complex and the overlying Storviknes sedimentary sequence. This study aims to determine the geochemical composition of stream sediments associated with the sediment-hosted Cu deposits and examine the role of host lithologies in the dispersion of elements associated with the deposits. Sediments from two streams and a river in the Kåfjord area were analyzed using phase and element analyses (aqua regia chemistry), complemented by a seven-step sequential extraction procedure. Results from Annaselva stream, draining Cu occurrences in the carbonate sediments of the Storviknes sequence, showed a significant positive correlation of Cu with mobile chalcophile elements (Pb, Zn, Ni, Tl, Hg, Ag, Sb, Bi) and lithophile elements (Sr, Ca, Ba, Al, K). In contrast, Brakkelva stream, draining the mafic volcanics of the Kvenvik complex, exhibited no statistically significant correlations between Cu and any of the analyzed elements. Møllneselva River, draining both lithologies, showed a strong Cu-Sc correlation, with principal component analysis indicating limited distinction between lithology-derived elements. These results did not completely align with statistical analysis outcomes highlighting the challenges of statistical data interpretation using a limited number of samples.
Anne-Kari Torgalsbøen, Christine Mohn, Frank Larøi
et al.
BackgroundResearch on clinical recovery rates in first-episode schizophrenia has yielded inconsistent results due to varying definitions of recovery and methodological differences. The longitudinal trajectory of recovery—whether rates improve, decline, or remain stable—remains unclear. Schizophrenia significantly impacts young lives, making it crucial to examine self-efficacy, the belief in one’s ability to manage adversity, and its relationship with clinical recovery.MethodsThe Oslo Schizophrenia Recovery study`s repeated assessment design, including twelve clinical evaluations over ten years, is ideal for studying longitudinal recovery. Self-efficacy was measured using the General Perceived Self-Efficacy scale, with data analyzed through linear multilevel models. Twenty-eight well-defined first-episode schizophrenia patients were assessed yearly, using a strict recovery definition (two years of full symptom remission and adequate social/role functioning), with 79% of patients retained from baseline.ResultsRecovery rates improved and remained stable, suggesting better outcomes than previously reported. Of the participants, 50% achieved clinical recovery. Recovered individuals showed a sharp increase in self-efficacy within the first year, while non-recovered patients exhibited gradual improvement. The interaction between recovery status and time revealed distinct self-efficacy trajectories, particularly in the first post-onset year.ConclusionsA significant proportion of first-episode schizophrenia patients can achieve clinical recovery. While these positive outcomes are noteworthy, it is important to recognize that recovery paths can vary widely among individuals. Since people with schizophrenia are concerned about their chances of recovery, the results must be shared with patients and their families. While the causal relationship between self-efficacy and recovery remains unclear, they likely influence each other.
I studien analyseras lokala policydokument för språkstöd i förskolan med fokus på hur de är uppbyggda och vilka språkliga normer och diskurser om flerspråkighet som kommer till uttryck i texterna. I takt med globalisering och migration har den språkliga mångfalden i svensk förskola ökat, vilket ses som en utmaning för förskollärare som enligt förskolans läroplan både ska stödja utvecklingen av majoritetsspråket svenska och samtidigt stödja barnens modersmål. Forskning visar att trots höga ambitioner med flerspråkig pedagogik är en enspråkig norm stark. Nio olika lokala policydokument analyserades utifrån Bacchis (2009) policyanalysmetod ”What’s the problem represented to be” samt Bernsteins (2000) begrepp klassificering. Resultaten tyder på att även om den lokala språkpolicyn syftar till att skapa en gemensam grund för förskolepersonalen att hantera språkutveckling för barn med flerspråkiga erfarenheter kan de diskurser som är inbäddade i språkpolicyn upprätthålla föreställningen om skillnaderna mellan barn med olika språkerfarenheter snarare än att stödja förskollärarna i att utveckla flerspråkig pedagogik. I stället för att hjälpa förskollärare med utmaningen att stödja alla barns språkutveckling fanns ett implicit bristperspektiv på de flerspråkiga barnen i de lokala språkpolicydokumenten.
English abstract
Framing linguistic diversity as a ’problem’ - an analysis of local language policies in ECE
In this article we explore local language policy documents in ECEC, with a focus on how they are structured and which linguistic norms and discourses about multilingualism are expressed in the texts. Due to globalization and migration, the linguistic diversity in Swedish ECEC has increased. This is seen as a challenge for preschool teachers who, according to the preschool curriculum, are obliged to support the development of the majority language Swedish as well as the children’s mother tongue. Research shows that despite high ambitions with multilingual pedagogy, the monolingual norm is strong. Nine different local policy documents were analyzed based on Bacchi’s (2009) policy analysis method «What’s the problem represented to be» and Bernstein’s (2000) concept of classification. The results suggest that although the local language policy aims to create common ground for preschool staff to manage the language development of children with multilingual experiences, the discourses embedded in the language policy may perpetuate the notion of the differences between children with different language experiences rather than supporting the preschool teachers in developing multilingual pedagogy. Instead of helping preschool teachers with the challenge of supporting all children’s language development, in the local language policy documents there was an implicit deficit perspective on the multilingual children.
<p>In Lagrangian oceanography, numerical methods for Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) are used to model particle transport. In many common applications, the velocity field driving the particle transport is provided as output from ocean models, on a discrete grid of points. Hence, the velocity field must be interpolated. Depending on the choice of interpolation, the velocity field or its derivatives may have discontinuities. These discontinuities have implications for the accuracy of the numerical ODE methods employed.</p>
<p>We demonstrate that by using information about the location of the discontinuities, we can take these into account, and improve numerical accuracy over standard integration methods that do not take discontinuities into account. The commonly used combination of the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method and linear interpolation of the velocity field, in fact, only yields second-order accuracy with the standard method. By accounting for discontinuities, we can achieve several orders of magnitude better accuracy with the same timestep. The implementation makes use of a combination of known methods from the field of numerical integration of ODEs. The implementation is quite flexible, agnostic to grid layout and order of interpolation, and contributes only modestly to the code complexity. Hence, the proposed technique for handling discontinuities in interpolated velocity fields could easily be adopted to a range of applications where numerical accuracy or efficiency is of importance.</p>
<p>As an example where numerical accuracy is important, we run a backtracking case for particles with known initial conditions, and show that the method with discontinuity handling is to a larger degree able to recover the correct initial positions of the particles, compared to standard fourth-order Runge-Kutta.</p>
Banerjee Pragyan, Ojha Shivam, Kalimullah Nur M. M.
et al.
This paper presents an approach to overcome the time-intensive nature of the Coulomb coupling imaging method by employing Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) for data augmentation. Coulomb coupling, an experimental technique, is essential for visualizing ultrasonic wave propagation in piezoelectric materials and is valuable in various domains including materials research. It provides valuable insights such as finding mechanical properties and detecting anomalies in piezoelectric materials. However, the efficiency of this method is hindered by traditional time expansive point-by-point scanning. Integrating advanced machine learning into Coulomb coupling imaging has emerged as a promising solution to address this issue. Nonetheless, the lack of sufficient data has been a significant challenge. The key contribution is the use of GANs to create synthetic yet realistic images from a limited set of real data, effectively overcoming the issue of data scarcity. A large number of artificial images were successfully generated, expediting model training and enhancing generalization. This study is the first to use GANs in Coulomb coupling imaging, showing its transformative potential. By overcoming data limitations, the proposed approach enhances Coulomb coupling imaging and enables its integration with advanced technologies like AI-driven predictive modeling and real-time adaptive imaging. This opens new frontiers for applications in materials science and other imaging modalities.
Acoustics in engineering. Acoustical engineering, Acoustics. Sound
The Dolisteinhola cave comprises a sequence of Holocene deposits dating from the late Atlanticum to the first half of the Subboreal period. Climate-sensitive species were found in layers V (Sciurus vulgaris) and layers II - III, IV, IV - V (Apodemus flavicollis). Two humerus of Barbastella barbastellus were also recognised. The faunal assemblage were grouped in three climatic complexes: species which lived both in cold and warm climates; species connected with warmer phases of the climate and species typical for a cold climate.
Kamila Hynek, Aslaug Gotehus, Fredrik Methi
et al.
Informal caregiving can have detrimental consequences for physical and psychological health, but the impacts are highly heterogenous. A largely ignored question is whether these impacts differ with migrant backgrounds, and whether caregiving and a migrant background combine to create double jeopardy. We explored these questions using large-scale data that allows stratification by sex, regional background, and types (inside vs. outside of household) of caregivers. We used cross-sectional 2021 data collected from two Norwegian counties as part of the Norwegian Counties Public Health Survey (N = 133,705, RR = 43%, age 18+). The outcomes include subjective health, mental health, and subjective well-being. The findings show that both caregiving, especially in-household caregiving, and a migrant background relate to lower physical–psychological health. In bivariate analysis, non-Western caregivers, women particularly, reported poorer mental health and subjective well-being (but not physical health) than other caregiver groups. After controlling for background characteristics, however, no interaction exists between caregiver status and migrant background status. Although the evidence does not suggest double jeopardy for migrant caregivers, caution is warranted due to the likely underrepresentation of the most vulnerable caregivers of migrant backgrounds. Continued surveillance of caregiver burden and distress among people of migrant backgrounds is critical to develop successful preventive and supportive intervention strategies for this group, yet this aim hinges on a more inclusive representation of minorities in future surveys.
This article studies mission within the context of traditional Nordic national churches. In the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norway, a state church until 2012, eighty percent of all congregations have formal agreements with a mission organization to support a project abroad. Given their prevalence, these agreements need empirical investigation as they provide access to congregational understandings and their practicing of mission. From the perspective of missiology and organization theory, this article asks: What do the mission agreements accomplish in the congregations, and how do the congregations use the agreements? Based on interviews in six congregations, our analysis shows that the function of the agreements depends on the engagement of individual volunteers and employees. Engagement is high when projects are perceived as concrete and diaconal and are incorporated into congregations’ organizational structures and key activities. Mission is primarily understood as supporting projects in the global south and as sharing the Christian faith with churches in other countries.
Sofia Pechlivanidou, Anneleen H. Geurts, Guillaume Duclaux
et al.
Understanding the impact of tectonics on surface processes and the resultant stratigraphic evolution in multi-phase rifts is challenging, as patterns of erosion and deposition related to older phases of extension are overprinted by the subsequent extensional phases. In this study, we use a one-way coupled numerical modelling approach between a tectonic and a surface processes model to investigate topographic evolution, erosion and basin stratigraphy during single and multi-phase rifting. We compare the results from the single and the multi-phase rift experiments for a 5 Myr period during which they experience equal amounts of extension, but with the multi-phase experiment experiencing fault topography inherited from a previous phase of extension. Our results demonstrate a very dynamic evolution of the drainage network that occurs in response to fault growth and linkage and to depocentre overfilling and overspilling. We observe profound differences between topographic and depocenter development during single and multi-phase rifting with implications for sedimentary facies architecture. Our quantitative approach, enables us to better understand the impact of changing extension direction on the distribution of sediment source areas and the syn-rift stratigraphic development through time and space.
This paper investigates the future role of cross-border electricity flow between Great Britain (GB) and its neighbors until 2030, considering high deployment of renewable energy sources (e.g., wind, solar, and biomass), enhanced interconnection capacity, and a partly electrified heating sector. It was assumed that two cross-border interconnectors links will connect GB’s power system to its neighbors: (1) a one-way interconnector (IC1) that imports electricity to GB, and (2) a two-way one (IC2) between France and GB. The IC2 was allowed to transfer electricity from a cheaper power system to a more expensive one. The results show that at a fixed CO<sub>2</sub> price, a change in power imported via IC1 will affect the power dispatch of the CO<sub>2</sub> emitting power plants and biomass-fired power plants, and electricity trade via IC1 and IC2. At IC1 importing of £60/MWh, by raising the CO<sub>2</sub> price from 60 to £70/ton, the share of CCGT power plants will reduce by 75%, and the power imported via IC1 link will face 19-times growth. With a constant IC1 import price, raising the CO<sub>2</sub> tax will reduce the total quantity of electricity being exported to France via IC2. Moreover, increasing the CO<sub>2</sub> tax will increase the emissions cost of gas and coal-fired generators, and the power required to meet the demand will be imported via IC1. With the IC1 electricity price set to £20/MWh and the CO<sub>2</sub> tax set to £50/ton, there may be 595 periods out of 17,520 in which GB will be used as an electricity trade corridor. GB’s total CO<sub>2</sub> emissions should drop as the CO<sub>2</sub> tax increases.
The article describes some common features of Indigenous sea cosmovisions (through examples from Oceania and the Arctic region), from which an understanding of ocean governance rooted in the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of protecting water and people emerges. Hence, the model of ocean (or water) connectivity is characterized by the understanding of ocean-human relationships as a continuum of connections between human and non-human elements. In line with the normative recognition of the sacredness of water, the interconnectedness of all life, and the importance of protecting the sea, Indigenous peoples’ law provides insights and implementation solutions for the restoration of marine ecosystems. This study aims to identify blind spots of the current law-of-the-sea regime, where marine ecological connectivity is not fully recognized as a foundational pillar of effective ocean protection. It also suggests approaches towards knowledge integration mechanisms that could minimize critical issues in ocean governance by enabling the enshrinement of Indigenous nature-oriented approaches within the law of the sea regulatory framework (especially focusing on the high seas’ regime). The work is structured into three main parts: a comprehensive overview of connectivity conceptualizations drawn from Indigenous cosmovisions; reflections on the model’s capability to address law-of-the-sea’s systemic challenges; and concluding reflections on possible future trajectories in law-of-the-sea that could encompass elements of the analyzed model.
The article reports on research conducted in a public, specialised mental health and substance abuse service unit in Norway. The inquiry followed an action research framework, with patients, leaders and staff as co-researchers. Power sharing within such constrained institutions suggests that service providers risk engaging in paternalistic or avoidance approaches. Despite the inherent challenges of attempting a participative approach on an equal footing, facilitating service co-production may be served by mediation and support. Here, developing meeting spaces for dialogue between patients, staff and leaders appears vital. We argue that focussing on service providers’ own professional development may be benefiting to co-production. We propose steps to unlock the potential of genuine co-production partnerships in constrained organisational settings when staff and leaders have no prior experience involving patients systematically in service development.
Carolyn E. Clausen, Bennett L. Leventhal, Øystein Nytrø
et al.
Abstract Background Nearly half of all mental health disorders develop prior to the age of 15. Early assessments, diagnosis, and treatment are critical to shortening single episodes of care, reducing possible comorbidity and long-term disability. In Norway, approximately 20% of all children and adolescents are experiencing mental health problems. To address this, health officials in Norway have called for the integration of innovative approaches. A clinical decision support system (CDSS) is an innovative, computer-based program that provides health professionals with clinical decision support as they care for patients. CDSS use standardized clinical guidelines and big data to provide guidance and recommendations to clinicians in real-time. IDDEAS (Individualised Digital DEcision Assist System) is a CDSS for diagnosis and treatment of child and adolescent mental health disorders. The aim of IDDEAS is to enhance quality, competency, and efficiency in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Methods/design IDDEAS is a mixed-methods innovation and research project, which consists of four stages: 1) Assessment of Needs and Preparation of IDDEAS; 2) The Development of IDDEAS CDSS Model; 3) The Evaluation of the IDDEAS CDSS; and, 4) Implementation & Dissemination. Both qualitative and quantitative methods will be used for the evaluation of IDDEAS CDSS model. Child and adolescent psychologists and psychiatrists (n = 30) will evaluate the IDDEAS` usability, acceptability and relevance for diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Discussion The IDDEAS CDSS model is the first guidelines and data-driven CDSS to improve efficiency of diagnosis and treatment of child and adolescent mental health disorders in Norway. Ultimately, IDDEAS will help to improve patient health outcomes and prevent long-term adverse outcomes by providing each patient with evidence-based, customized clinical care. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN12094788. Ongoing study, registered prospectively 8 April 2020 https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12094788
Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics
Lotta C. Kluger, Philipp Gorris, Sophia Kochalski
et al.
Abstract Understanding the complex interlinkages between humans and nature is crucial for developing strategies to effectively manage natural resources and to enhance resilience of social–ecological systems (SES). Network analysis bears great potential to advance such comprehension of SESs because it allows for identifying and analysing direct and indirect relationships and processes. As a result, the number of network studies in social–ecological research has rapidly grown over the last decade. This work systematizes existing network approaches for analysing human–nature relationships based on the level of integration of both the social and ecological realms in the network conceptualization. A structured inductive review of existing empirical network studies exploring a wide range of phenomena at the human–nature interface was conducted, resulting in 138 studies falling into three proposed categories. We examine their network conceptualization and means of analysis, and discuss challenges and potentials of each of the three categories in empirical research. The study highlights the diversity and creativity with which distinct social and ecological entities are defined to enable the use of a variety of network analytical approaches in SES research. Demonstrating the increasing recognition of network analysis to describe human–nature relationships since the early 2000s and providing an overview of the many useful conceptual and methodological approaches, this article contributes to systematizing the existing studies and provides practical guidance for network research to help disentangling complex SES. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Sandra Petrauskienė, Julija Narbutaitė, Aušra Petrauskienė
et al.
Abstract Objectives This study aimed to investigate the oral health behaviours of mothers with young children and their attitudes towards dental caries. Methods The survey targeted all mothers with children under 3 years attending a primary healthcare centre (Department of Family Medicine at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences [LSMU] Hospital) in Kaunas, Lithuania. The Bioethics Centre of the LSMU approved the study (No. BEC‐OF‐14). Of 176 mothers, 123 (69.9%) took part in the 2016–2017 study. The self‐administered questionnaire enquired about mothers' attitudes towards oral health and behaviours related to the potential transmission of oral bacteria to their children, dietary habits, tooth brushing, smoking, and background factors. The chi‐squared test and univariate/multivariate logistic regression analyses served for the statistical analysis. (p values ≤ .05 indicated statistically significant differences). Results Most (76; 68.5%) of the mothers brushed their teeth twice daily, and 97 (87.4%) reported themselves as nonsmokers. We found a statistically significant association between mothers who brushed their own teeth twice daily and those who cleaned their children's teeth likewise (OR = 5.42, 95% CI [1.28–6.63]; p = .005). We observed significant associations among mothers who gave their children sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSBs) daily and the mothers' college or lower education (OR = 6.51, 95% CI [1.59–27.19]; p = .01) and maternal tooth brushing less than twice daily (OR = 3.88, 95% CI [0.99–15.18]; p = .05). Conclusions A majority of mothers who took part in this survey did not brush their children's teeth as recommended. Mothers with a lower education and who brushed their teeth less than twice daily offered their children SSBs more frequently.
In the current era, the desire for high boost DC-to-DC converter development has increased. Notably, there has been voltage gain improvement without adding extra power switches, and a large number of passive components have advanced. Magnetically coupled isolated converters are suggested for the higher voltage gain. These converters use large size inductors, and thus the non-isolated traditional boost, Cuk and Sepic converters are modified to increase their gain by adding an extra switch, inductors and capacitors. These converters increase circuit complexity and become bulky. In this paper, we present a hybrid high voltage gain non-isolated single switch converter for photovoltaic applications. The proposed converter connects the standard conventional Cuk and boost converter in parallel for providing continuous current mode operation with the help of a single power switch, which gives less voltage stress on controlled switch and diodes. The proposed hybrid topology uses a single switch with a lower component-count and provides a higher voltage gain than non-isolated traditional converters. The converter circuit mode of operation, operating performance, mathematical derivations and steady-state exploration and circuit parameters design procedures are deliberated in detail. The proposed hybrid converter circuit components, voltage gain and performance, were compared with other topologies in the literature. The MATLAB/Simulink simulation study and microcontroller-based experimental laboratory prototype of 150 W were implemented. The simulation study and experimentation results were confirmed to be a satisfactory agreement with the theoretical analysis. This topology produced non-inverting output in continuous input current mode using a single switch with high voltage gain (≈5.116 gain) with a maximum efficiency of 92.2% under full load.