Search Results (108)

The growing number of senior experts leaving the workforce (especially in more developed economies, such as in Europe), combined with the ubiquitous access to artificial intelligence (AI), is triggering organizations to review their knowledge transfer programs, motivated by both financial and management perspectives. Our study aims to contribute to the field by analyzing options to integrate intergenerational tacit knowledge transfer (InterGenTacitKT) with AI-driven approaches, offering a novel perspective on sustainable Knowledge and Human Resource Management in organizations. We will do this by building on previous research and by extracting findings from 36 in-depth semi-structured interviews that provided success factors for junior/senior tandems (JuSeTs) as one notable format of tacit knowledge transfer. We also refer to the literature, in a grounded theory iterative process, analyzing current findings on the use of AI in tacit knowledge transfer and triangulating and critically synthesizing these sources of data. We suggest that adding AI into a tandem situation can facilitate collaboration and thus aid in knowledge transfer and trust-building. We posit that AI can offer strong complementary services for InterGenTacitKT by fostering the identified success factors for JuSeTs (clarity of roles, complementary skill sets, matching personalities, and trust), thus offering organizations a powerful means to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of InterGenTacitKT that also strengthens employee productivity, satisfaction, and loyalty and overall organizational competitiveness. Full article

Strong emotional bonds within families are foundational to children’s academic, psychological, and social development. While family cohesion is widely recognized as a protective factor across these domains, there remains a need to understand the specific mechanisms and interventions that foster such cohesion, particularly in diverse socioeconomic and cultural contexts. This systematic review examines global evidence on factors influencing family cohesion and evaluates intervention strategies designed to strengthen familial relationships. Drawing on 41 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2023, this review adheres to PRISMA guidelines and applies the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) to assess methodological quality. The findings are organized around four core dimensions of family cohesion—emotional bonding, adaptability, communication, and support—and highlight both common patterns and culturally specific mechanisms. Studies were drawn from a range of settings including North America, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, East and Southeast Asia, and Europe, enabling a cross-cultural analysis of how family cohesion operates under different social, cultural, and economic conditions. Intervention strategies are reviewed separately following the synthesis of correlations, with attention to their effectiveness, cultural relevance, and contextual adaptability. Community-based programs, trauma-informed therapies, and parenting interventions emerge as key approaches, though their success has varied by regional and structural context. Studies consistently demonstrate that higher family cohesion correlates with improved academic outcomes, as supportive home environments promote motivation, reduce stress, and enhance learning. Mental health benefits are also evident, with cohesive and adaptable families mitigating risks of anxiety and depression through open communication and emotional availability. Social competence is fostered through observed and practiced interpersonal skills within family settings. Socioeconomic status emerges as both a challenge and a moderating factor, with lower-SES families facing greater barriers to cohesion but also displaying notable resilience when supported through external interventions. Effective strategies identified include family therapy, parenting education, community-based programs, culturally sensitive approaches, and socioeconomic policy supports. Family cohesion and adaptability are critical to nurturing children’s academic success, emotional well-being, and social development. This review contributes to a more culturally nuanced and policy-relevant understanding of family cohesion by integrating empirical findings across global contexts and identifying both shared and differentiated pathways to resilience. The results inform future program design and suggest priorities for cross-cultural family research and intervention development. Full article

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a rapidly growing global health concern, projected to affect 1.3 billion people by 2050, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach. This review examines the epidemiological disparities in T2D, focusing on modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors, socioeconomic determinants, and healthcare inequities. While genetic predisposition, age, and ethnicity contribute to T2D risk, socioeconomic status (SES) significantly mediates modifiable factors such as diet, physical activity, and access to healthcare. Lower SES is associated with poorer lifestyle choices, limited access to resources, and increased exposure to risk factors, exacerbating T2D prevalence among vulnerable populations. Geographic variations in T2D prevalence are evident, with racial and ethnic minorities and lower-income individuals being disproportionately affected in regions like the United States and Europe. The economic burden of T2D is substantial, with global healthcare expenditures reaching USD 966 billion in 2021 and projected to rise significantly, albeit with variations across different countries and health systems. Despite advancements in treatment, inequities in healthcare access persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, hindering optimal glycemic control and consequently contributing to preventable complications and poor health outcomes. This review highlights the critical need for targeted interventions and policy reforms to address the intersection of demographic, economic, and healthcare-related variables influencing T2D disparities. By bridging gaps in prevention, management, and treatment and accounting for the effect of SES on both modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors, the global disease burden of T2D could be reduced and health equity could be improved. Full article

Breastfeeding is associated with many health benefits, while its prevalence is determined by numerous factors, including socioeconomic status (SES). SES is the position of an individual on the socioeconomic scale, using occupation, education, income, place of residence, and wealth as key indicators. Since its interrelationship with health is complex, world region-specific insights into the relevant socioeconomic inequalities impacting breastfeeding practices are crucial to effectively address these. The purpose of this systematic review is, therefore, to explore SES indicators affecting breastfeeding initiation and duration in two different United Nations-defined regions, Western Europe and Southern Africa to assess (dis)similarities, as these can guide region-specific, targeted interventions to improve practices. A systematic literature search was conducted across seven databases, of which 47 articles were included. The risk of bias was assessed, and outcome data related to SES as well as breastfeeding initiation and duration were collected. Higher education consistently leads to better breastfeeding initiation outcomes, but economic constraints and employment in informal sectors hinder breastfeeding practices in Southern Africa. In Western Europe, supportive working conditions and a migration background have a positive impact, while employment status and income show rather mixed effects. Community, regional, and religious factors play significant, ambiguous roles. In South Africa, food insecurity, the living environment, and geographic location complicate breastfeeding. This systematic review highlights the significant influence of SES on breastfeeding initiation and duration in Western Europe and Southern Africa, while the specific factors indeed vary between both regions. This systematic review therefore illustrates the relevance of region-specific SES factors, impacting breastfeeding practices. Addressing these barriers with region-specific, targeted approaches may result in substantial progress toward achieving global breastfeeding goals. Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42023473433). Full article

Background/Objectives: Previous research has indicated that gender differences exist in the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic (SE) deprivation and childhood excessive body weight. However, none of these studies were conducted in a metropolitan area of southern Europe. This study aims to investigate whether the association between neighborhood SE deprivation and childhood excessive body weight in the capital of the Porto Metropolitan Area is influenced by gender. Methods: The sample comprised 832 children (434 girls) aged between 3 and 10 years. Weight and height measurements were taken objectively, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The International Obesity Task Force cutoffs were used to identify the children with excessive body weight. Neighborhood SE deprivation was measured using the 2011 Portuguese version of the European Deprivation Index. Logistic regression models were applied for data analysis. Results: Overall, 27.8% of the participating children had excessive body weight. The prevalence of excessive body weight was higher in the neighborhoods characterized by high SE deprivation compared to those with low SE deprivation (34.4% vs. 23.1%). In a multivariable analysis, the girls living in high SE deprivation neighborhoods had a 90% higher risk of excessive body weight compared to the girls in low SE deprivation neighborhoods (OR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.05–3.44; p = 0.035). No significant association was observed between neighborhood SE deprivation and body weight in the boys. Conclusions: The findings indicate that neighborhood SE deprivation substantially increases the risk of excessive body weight, particularly among girls. Therefore, prevention and intervention strategies aimed at addressing excessive body weight gain should specifically target the populations and areas that are at a higher risk. Full article

Huelva is a city in SW Spain with 150,000 inhabitants, located in the proximity of two heavy chemical industry complexes, the highest naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) waste (phosphogypsum) stacks of Europe and a highly polluted estuary, with elevated cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality rates. This study analyses the association between cumulated exposure levels to 16 metal(loid)s (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Tl, U, V, and Zn) measured in the toenail of a sample (n = 55 participants) of the general control population of Huelva City who were involved in the MCC-Spain study and the spatial proximity patterns to the local polluting sources. Residents of the city of Huelva have higher levels of Fe, Ni, Cr, Se, As, and Co in their toenails compared to the levels found in populations with similar characteristics living in non-polluted areas. Moreover, the highest concentrations of As, Pb, Cd, Mo, and Se were found in toenails of participants living near the NORM waste stack, while the highest Cu, Zn, and Al contents corresponded to people residing near the industrial area. The spatial distribution of most of the metal(loid)s studied appears to be mainly controlled by anthropogenic factors. Full article

Populations of the European hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas) have declined in agricultural areas throughout Europe, primarily due to habitat loss caused by the industrialization of agriculture. The growth of cities displaces native habitats, and a decline in hare densities would be expected also in cities; however, several medium-sized mammals thrive in urban areas. In this study, hares in two Danish cities, Aalborg and Aarhus (approx. 145,000 and 300,000 citizens, respectively), were monitored using a combination of citizen science and a thermal spotter. Citizen reports of hares (in all 1874) were highest in the center of the city (26 to 33 locations per km²). Hare observation densities declined significantly with increasing distance to the center. Breeding hares were recorded in both cities. The thermal spotter proved to be useful to spot hares in the city and it did not draw attention as the spotlights normally used to detect the light reflected from the hares’ eyes. Based on the hares spotted at 12 locations where citizens had reported hares, densities of 40.3 (±10.8 SE) hares per km² were estimated. The increasing awareness for biodiversity and for not using pesticides in Danish cities allow for wild plants to be established in lawns, which benefits the hares. Full article

Background: The condition of vitamin D (25OHD) deficiency represents an important public health problem. In Europe, hypovitaminosis is common not only in the elderly population but also between 50 and 70 years, both in males and females. Data regarding vitamin D intake in the Italian population are very limited. In a recent paper, reporting data collected by a specific Frequency Food Questionnaire (FFQ), we observed in a small group of healthy subjects that the dietary consumption of vitamin D, both in females and males, was far below the average. Methods: With the aim of expanding our preliminary data, we conducted a survey on a large cohort of subjects from different areas of Northern, Central, and Southern Italy. The FFQ contained 11 different questions regarding the amount and type of intake of foods containing ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol. It was submitted to 870 subjects, 627 females and 243 males, with an age range from 40 to 80 years; 31.6% of the studied population was apparently in good health, while 68.4% were affected by different pathologies. Results: The present data confirm previous observations: the global quantity of vitamin D intake in 14 days was 70.8 μg (±1.8 SE, ±54.4 SD) in females and 87.5 μg (±1.9 SE, ±57.1 SD) in males; the mean daily intake of vitamin D in females and males was 5.05 μg (±0.5 SE, ±3.8 SD) and 6.25 μg (±0.21 SE, ±4.1 SD), respectively. In healthy subjects, a gradual decrease was observed in the overall intake of vitamin D in both females and males according to an increase in age bracket, ranging from 74.5 μg and 103.8 μg in the 40–50 age group to 54.5 μg and 87.8 μg in the 71–80 age group, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, the present data, collected in a large Italian cohort, underscore that the daily intake of vitamin D is far below the recommended daily average, thereby contributing to the development of potential hypovitaminosis. Full article

Birds select habitats to optimize resources and maximize fitness, with some species recently colonizing new areas, like the Eurasian Collared Dove (ECD) in the Iberian Peninsula. The ECD spread across Europe in the early 20th century from South Asia. This study reanalyzes data from the Atlas of Breeding Birds in the Province of Alicante (SE Spain) to identify macrohabitat-level environmental variables related to its occurrence and abundance in this semi-arid Mediterranean landscape during the breeding season. We performed Hierarchical Partitioning analyses to identify important environmental variables for the species associated with natural vegetation, farming, topography, hydrographical web, urbanization, and climate. Results show that ECD has a higher occurrence probability near anthropic areas (isolated buildings, suburban areas), water points (medium-sized ponds), larger crop surfaces (total cultivated area), and warmer localities (thermicity index). The species avoids natural habitats like pine forests and scrublands. Abundance is positively linked to anthropic features like larger suburban areas and urban-related land uses. These findings can help predict its expansion in regions with a Mediterranean climate in South America, North America, or Australia, and its continuous natural expansion and population increase within the Mediterranean basin and Europe. Full article

Knowledge about determinants of addiction in people taking addictive substances is poor and needs to be supplemented. The novelty of this paper consists in the analysis of innovative aspects of current research about relationships between determinants of addiction in Polish patients taking addictive substances and rare available data regarding the relationships between these factors from studies from recent years from other environments, mainly in Europe, and on the development of genetic determinants of physiological responses. We try to explain the role of the microelements Mn, Fe, Cu, Co, Zn, Cr, Ni, Tl, Se, Al, B, Mo, V, Sn, Sb, Ag, Sr, and Ba, the toxic metals Cd, Hg, As, and Pb, and the rare earth elements Sc, La, Ce, Pr, Eu, Gd, and Nd as factors that may shape the development of addiction to addictive substances or drugs. The interactions between factors (gene polymorphism, especially ANKK1 (TaqI A), ANKK1 (Taq1 A-CT), DRD2 (TaqI B, DRD2 Taq1 B-GA, DRD2 Taq1 B-AA, DRD2-141C Ins/Del), and OPRM1 (A118G)) in patients addicted to addictive substances and consumption of vegetables, consumption of dairy products, exposure to harmful factors, and their relationships with physiological responses, which confirm the importance of internal factors as determinants of addiction, are analyzed, taking into account gender and region. The innovation of this review is to show that the homozygous TT mutant of the ANKK1 TaqI A polymorphism rs 1800497 may be a factor in increased risk of opioid dependence. We identify a variation in the functioning of the immune system in addicted patients from different environments as a result of the interaction of polymorphisms. Full article

In Europe and North America, the prevalence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is increasing. Most pulmonary NTM infections are caused by the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). Sadly, the treatment of pulmonary MAC is suboptimal with failure rates ranging from 37% to 58%. Therefore, there is a need to develop new therapeutics. Developing new immunotherapies and studying their interaction with standard or new drugs requires reliable assays. Four different assays including CFSE-based flow cytometry, in vitro protection assays, IFN-γ ELISPOT, and murine infection models were optimized using a reference strain of MAC (ATCC 700898) to help with the development of immunotherapies for MAC. Expansion of proliferating and IFN-γ producing human T cells is optimal after 7 days of stimulation with MAC at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1, achieving a stimulation index of 26.5 ± 11.6 (mean ± SE). The in vitro protection assay for MAC works best by co-culturing T cells expanded for 7 days with MAC (MOI 1)-infected autologous macrophages. Aerosol MAC infection of mice allows measurement of the effects of the BCG vaccine and clarithromycin. IFN-γ ELISPOT assays with live MAC (MOI 3) stimulation of splenocytes from mice immunized with BCG help identify differences between unimmunized mice and mice immunized with BCG. In conclusion, multiple assays are available for use to identify MAC-specific effector T cells, which will help in the development of new therapeutics or vaccines against pulmonary MAC. Full article

The accurate prediction of daily drinking water demand for the next few days is the basis for many operational decisions and applications. In Europe, recently, the “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act” was authorised, emphasising the trustworthiness and explainability of AI in the future. We therefore test and compare different AI methods regarding their performance, transparency and robustness. As the results show, opaque models are not per se superior to linear models, whereas linear models are especially ahead in terms of robustness and transparency. Bayesian linear models are particularly interesting as they additionally output credible intervals indicating upper and lower estimation bounds. Full article

The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) represents one of the largest districts of volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits in the world, and is a critical source of base metals (Cu, Pb, and Zn) for Europe. Confirmed resources exceed 1700 Mt of massive sulfides with grades of around 1.2% Cu, 1% Pb, and 3% Zn as well as more than 300 Mt of stockwork-type copper mineralization. Significant resources of Sn, precious metals (Au and Ag), and critical metals (Co, Bi, Sb, In, and Se) have also been evaluated. The genesis of these deposits is related to a complex geological evolution during the late Devonian and Mississippian periods. The geological record of such evolution is represented by three main lithological units: Phyllite–Quartzite Group, the volcano–sedimentary Complex (VSC), and the so-called Culm Group. The sulfide deposits are located in the VSC, associated with felsic volcanic rocks or sedimentary rocks such as black shales. The massive sulfide deposits occur as tabular bodies and replacement masses associated with both volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Their mineralogical composition is relatively simple, dominated by pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and galena. Their origin is related to three evolutionary stages at increasing temperatures, and a subsequent stage associated with the Variscan deformation. The present paper summarizes the latest developments in the IPB and revises research areas requiring further investigation. Full article

Despite decreasing anthropogenic mercury (Hg) emissions in Europe and the banning and restriction of many persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention, Mediterranean marine mammals still have one of the highest body burdens of persistent pollutants in the world. Moreover, the Mediterranean basin is one of the most sensitive to climate change, with likely changes in the biogeochemical cycle and bioavailability of Hg, primary productivity, and the length and composition of pelagic food webs. The availability of food resources for marine mammals is also affected by widespread overfishing and the increasing number of alien species colonizing the basin. After reporting the most recent findings on the biogeochemical cycle of Hg in the Mediterranean Sea and the physico-chemical and bio-ecological factors determining its exceptional bioaccumulation in odontocetes, this review discusses possible future changes in the bioavailability of the metal. Recent ocean–atmosphere–land models predict that in mid-latitude seas, water warming (which in the Mediterranean is 20% faster than the global average) is likely to decrease the solubility of Hg and favor the escape of the metal to the atmosphere. However, the basin has been affected for thousands of years by natural and anthropogenic inputs of metals and climate change with sea level rise (3.6 ± 0.3 mm year⁻¹ in the last two decades), and the frequency of extreme weather events will likely remobilize a large amount of legacy Hg from soils, riverine, and coastal sediments. Moreover, possible changes in pelagic food webs and food availability could determine dietary shifts and lower growth rates in Mediterranean cetaceans, increasing their Hg body burden. Although, in adulthood, many marine mammals have evolved the ability to detoxify monomethylmercury (MMHg) and store the metal in the liver and other organs as insoluble HgSe crystals, in Mediterranean populations more exposed to the metal, this process can deplete the biological pool of Se, increasing their susceptibility to infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders. Mediterranean mammals are also among the most exposed in the world to legacy POPs, micro- and nanoplastics, and contaminants of emerging interest. Concomitant exposure to these synthetic chemicals may pose a much more serious threat than the Se depletion. Unfortunately, as shown by the literature data summarized in this review, the most exposed populations are those living in the NW basin, the main feeding and reproductive area for most Mediterranean cetaceans, declared a sanctuary for their protection since 2002. Thus, while emphasizing the adoption of all available approaches to mitigate anthropogenic pressure with fishing and maritime traffic, it is recommended to direct future research efforts towards the assessment of possible biological effects, at the individual and population levels, of chronic and simultaneous exposure to Hg, legacy POPs, contaminants of emerging interest, and microplastics. Full article

The prevalence and incidence of NAFLD is rising due to the obesity pandemic, caused by the widespread availability of ultra-processed foods and the decrease of physical activity. Factors such as socioeconomic status (SES), ethnicity and geographical location are associated with NAFLD, with lower SES correlating with higher incidence, particularly in regions like America or Europe. Beside the quality of food, the quantity also plays a crucial role. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a Mediterranean diet with a balanced energy intake. Since no hard medical treatment is available for NAFLD, lifestyle adjustments are key. Patient empowerment by providing relevant information and co-ownership of the therapy will increase the implementation rate and enhance the quality of medical follow-up and medication adherence, as studies report a good adherence to medication among patients who are well-aware of the severity of their disease. Regarding sustainability, patients with NAFLD have a high load of ambulatory follow-up, which, since the COVID-19 pandemic, can be partially provided by teleconsulting. Both patients’ lifestyle modifications and healthcare practitioners’ therapeutical strategy can decrease the carbon footprint. Full article