Global cross-cultural validation of a brief measure for identifying potential suicide risk in 42 countries.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the P4 suicide screener in a multinational sample. The primary goal was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale and investigate its convergent validity by analyzing its correlation with depression, anxiety, and substance use. STUDY DESIGN: The study design is a cross-sectional self-report study conducted across 42 countries. METHODS: A cross-sectional, self-report study was conducted in 42 countries, with a total of 82,243 participants included in the final data set. RESULTS: The study provides an overview of suicide ideation rates across 42 countries and confirms the structural validity of the P4 screener. The findings indicated that sexual and gender minority individuals exhibited higher rates of suicidal ideation. The P4 screener showed adequate reliability, convergence, and discriminant validity, and a cutoff score of 1 is recommended to identify individuals at risk of suicidal behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The study supports the reliability and validity of the P4 suicide screener across 42 diverse countries, highlighting the importance of using a cross-cultural suicide risk assessment to standardize the identification of high-risk individuals and tailoring culturally sensitive suicide prevention strategies.

Characterization of texturized meat analogues containing native lupin flour and lupin protein concentrate/isolate.

Lupin is a nutritious, yet undervalued grain used as a fodder and food crop. In the present study, native lupin flour (LF), lupin protein concentrate (LPC), and lupin protein isolate (LPI) were combined (70% LPI:LPC blend ratios [30:70, 50:50, and 70:30] and 30% LF constant fraction), extruded at high moisture (45-55%), and shaped with a long cooling die (800 mm) to obtain texturized meat analogues (TMAs) with fibrous structures. The characteristics of TMAs (e.g., hardness, water hydration capacity) depended heavily on water content, blend ratios (LPI:LPC), and to a lesser extent, the long cooling die temperature. Color changes (i.e., L*, b*) were mostly attributed to variations in blend ratios (LPI:LPC). Microstructure analysis showed that TMAs with higher water content (55%) were more likely to have thinner walls and smaller void thickness. Fluorescence imagery revealed that TMAs with lower LPI content presented more homogeneous structures. These findings show that reasonable amounts (30% d.m.) of native lupin flour can be incorporated into meat analogues by maintaining a sufficiently high protein content (>50% d.m.) to trigger the formation of fibrous structures.

Functionality of oat fiber concentrate and faba bean protein concentrate in plant-based substitutes for minced meat.

Oat has been recognized for its health-promoting fiber, ß-glucan, while protein-rich faba bean has remained underutilized in Nordic countries despite its good nutritional quality. This research investigated the functionality of oat fiber concentrate and faba bean protein concentrate in plant-based substitutes for minced meat (SMs). The resulting product aimed at mimicking the mechanical and physicochemical characteristics of beef minced meat (BM) and its applications (i.e., fried and burger patty). In this regard, the mechanical properties (e.g., chewiness, Young's modulus) of original/fried SMs were comparable to or higher than those of original/fried BM. SM patties (45% SMs) were structurally weaker than beef burger patties (100% BM). The rheological analysis showed that the presence of oat fiber concentrate increased the gel-like properties of the blend, which correlated with the overall strength of original SMs (e.g., Young's modulus). The results suggested that SMs could be used as BM for the preparation of vegetarian meat-like products.

Artificial neural networks for closed loop control of in silico and ad hoc type 1 diabetes.

The closed loop control of blood glucose levels might help to reduce many short- and long-term complications of type 1 diabetes. Continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pump systems have facilitated the development of the artificial pancreas. In this paper, artificial neural networks are used for both the identification of patient dynamics and the glycaemic regulation. A subcutaneous glucose measuring system together with a Lispro insulin subcutaneous pump were used to gather clinical data for each patient undergoing treatment, and a corresponding in silico and ad hoc neural network model was derived for each patient to represent their particular glucose-insulin relationship. Based on this nonlinear neural network model, an ad hoc neural network controller was designed to close the feedback loop for glycaemic regulation of the in silico patient. Both the neural network model and the controller were tested for each patient under simulation, and the results obtained show a good performance during food intake and variable exercise conditions.