An Evaluation of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Perceived Social Distancing Policies in Relation to Planning, Selecting, and Preparing Healthy Meals: An Observational Study in 38 Countries Worldwide

Objectives: To examine changes in planning, selecting, and preparing healthy foods in relation to personal factors (time, money, stress) and social distancing policies during the COVID-19 crisis. Methods: Using cross-sectional online surveys collected in 38 countries worldwide in April-June 2020 (N = 37,207, Mage 36.7 SD 14.8, 77% women), we compared changes in food literacy behaviors to changes in personal factors and social distancing policies, using hierarchical multiple regression analyses controlling for sociodemographic variables. Results: Increases in planning (4.7 SD 1.3, 4.9 SD 1.3), selecting (3.6 SD 1.7, 3.7 SD 1.7), and preparing (4.6 SD 1.2, 4.7 SD 1.3) healthy foods were found for women and men, and positively related to perceived time availability and stay-at-home policies. Psychological distress was a barrier for women, and an enabler for men. Financial stress was a barrier and enabler depending on various sociodemographic variables (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: Stay-at-home policies and feelings of having more time during COVID-19 seem to have improved food literacy. Stress and other social distancing policies relate to food literacy in more complex ways, highlighting the necessity of a health equity lens. Copyright 2021 De Backer, Teunissen, Cuykx, Decorte, Pabian, Gerritsen, Matthys, Al Sabbah, Van Royen and the Corona Cooking Survey Study Group.This research was funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (G047518N) and Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HBC.2018.0397). These funding sources had no role in the design of the study, the analysis and interpretation of the data or the writing of, nor the decision to publish the manuscript.Scopu

[Towards a sustainable, cost-effective mental health care; a policy perspective]

BACKGROUND: After a decade of robust growth in spending, Dutch mental healthcare is on a more stricter budgetary path since 2012. High prevalence of illness and limited spending, imply the need for efficient mental healthcare delivery. AIM: To advise how mental health care can be managed more efficiently. There will also have to be more differentiation between mild and serious psychiatric illnesses. METHOD: Review of academic articles and policy studies. RESULTS: With regard to the treatment of fairly common disorders, more attention needs to be given to integrated basic care and e-health. Employers and stakeholders can perhaps play a role in financing some of these services. Severe mental disorders can be handled more often on an integrated ambulatory basis setting than only in a hospital setting, while scaling down inpatient capacity. These steps would represent a major transition and would require spending cuts and a change in the provider 'landscape'. CONCLUSION: Sustainable mental healthcare is inseparably linked to an agenda that provides value for money and it implies a major transition. However, in principle, it should be possible to fit these changes into the current system of governance. More attention needs to be given to coordination between the various domains, and to a reduction in administrative costs. Reimbursement methods should align e-health, collaborative care, case-management and best-practice pathways

Chiral amplification in columns of self-assembled N,N′,N″-Tris((S)-3,7-dimethyloctyl)benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide in dilute solution

Remarkable control of chirality within a long and stable columnar self-assembly of N,N',N¿-Tris((S)-3,7-dimethyloctyl)benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide in dilute solution is achieved by strong, unidirectional hydrogen bonding and cooperative side-chain interactions; IR and CD-spectroscopy have been used to elucidate these features

Process Evaluation of Home-based Bimanual Training in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy (The COAD-study): A Mixed Methods Study

Item does not contain fulltextPurpose: To evaluate the processes and factors that influenced implementation and impact of a home-based bimanual training program in children with unilateral cerebral palsy aged 2 through 7 years. Methods: The program encompassed bimanual task-specific training (3.5 hours/week for 12 weeks) adopting either implicit or explicit motor learning. A therapist and remedial educationalist coached parents. This mixed methods study included course attendance monitoring, questionnaires, registration form, video analysis, interviews, focus group discussion, and drop-out monitoring. Results: Fourteen families participated. The program was not fully implemented as intended. Parents positively experienced the training and were well able to provide it. The program was demanding for the children and time-consuming for parents. Several components positively contributed to the program: task-analysis, instructional videos, and coaching by a therapist and remedial educationalist. Several modifications to the program were proposed. Conclusion: Home-based bimanual training forms a demanding but promising therapeutic approach with potential for optimization.26 december 202117 p

Effect of natural organic matter on cerium dioxide nanoparticles settling in model fresh water

Contains fulltext : 84171.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)5 p