Search Results (2,514)

Freshwater mussels (Unionida) perform important functions that are integral to keeping streams, rivers, and lakes operating as holistic ecosystems. Some of these functions improve water quality for humans through their filtration activities such as nutrient cycling and feces and pseudofeces production. In this study, we estimated the magnitude of contaminant sequestration by mussel assemblages using data at polluted and relatively unpolluted sites from watersheds in the upper Mississippi River (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois, USA), the Clinch River (Virginia and Tennessee, USA), and the upper Neuse River (North Carolina, USA). Data from these rivers represented a range of (1) spatial scales from wadable streams to large rivers, (2) population sizes from tens of thousands to hundreds of millions of mussels, (3) survey techniques from qualitative to quantitative, and (4) chemical classes from inorganic to organic contaminants. We estimated that mussels in two relatively unpolluted reaches of the upper Mississippi River sequestered 1.42 × 10¹³ µg of total metals, metalloids, and ions (i.e., 14.2 metric tons). Mussels in the relatively unpolluted upper Neuse River sequestered between 22.2 and 53.3 million ng of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; i.e., 22.2–53.3 mg). Mussels at a polluted site in the Clinch River (Pendleton Island) sequestered 168 million ng of PAHs, compared to 1.45 billion ng of PAHs sequestered at relatively unpolluted sites. Mussels at unpolluted sites in the Clinch River had a 10 times greater sequestration capacity despite having lower tissue concentrations. The accuracy (precision and bias) associated with estimating assemblage-level contaminant sequestration by mussels varied as a function of survey design, spatial scale, population size, and contaminant type. This preliminary assessment of sequestration of contaminants by mussels outlines a framework for understanding the contributions these organisms make in supporting water quality and highlights the need to protect and conserve mussels and the ecosystem functions and services they provide. Full article

Across their wide geographic range (Neotropics, and as invasives in New Guinea and Florida), Nasutitermes corniger (conehead termites) live primarily above the ground surface. They build arboreal nests and foraging tunnels, or epigeal nests and tunnels on the ground surface. There are brief reports of below-ground portions of N. corniger nests and foraging tunnels as rare occurrences of structures extending underground. The entirely and partially underground nests and foraging tunnels described in this paper are distinct and novel from previous observations. They are based on multiple discoveries in areas of Broward County, Florida, where invasive conehead termite activity below ground is common. This paper expands understanding of habitat options for this ecologically agile, adaptable, economically important species. It also serves to alert inspectors in invasive termite eradication programs or pest management situations to explore cryptic locations where nests of all sizes may hide. Effective approaches for treating underground N. corniger activities are described. Full article

This study explores the feasibility of constructing a microwave kiln for artisanal ceramics using accessible materials and homemade susceptors. Two modified microwave ovens (18 L and 50 L) were equipped with insulation and susceptors to achieve temperatures up to 1280 °C. Susceptors were fabricated from silicon carbide (SiC) and magnetite (Fe₃O₄) powders via microwave-assisted reactive sintering. Magnetite-poor susceptors (SiC/Fe₃O₄ > 2 by weight) demonstrated excellent durability, maintaining stable thermal performance over multiple cycles. In contrast, magnetite-rich susceptors (SiC/Fe₃O₄ ∼ 1) exhibited high initial efficiency and the ability to control redox conditions but degraded significantly after 10–15 cycles due to partial melting. The microwave kiln achieved significant time savings, completing the ramp-up of the firing cycles in 1 h, compared to 8–10 h in conventional kilns. Energy consumption per litre was comparable to large electric kilns but significantly lower than small ones. The fired ceramics, including porcelain and earthenware, showed excellent mechanical and aesthetic qualities, with glazes performing well even at lower temperatures than recommended. The study highlights the advantages of microwave heating, such as faster processing, energy efficiency, and the ability to control redox conditions, which mimic traditional gas-fired kilns. The developed susceptors are cost-effective and easy to manufacture, making this approach accessible to craftspeople and amateurs. While magnetite-rich susceptors enable redox control, their limited lifespan requires further optimisation. This work demonstrates the potential of microwave kilns for artisanal ceramics, offering flexibility, efficiency, and quality comparable to traditional methods, with promising applications for unique or small-scale production. Future research should focus on refining susceptors durability and validating redox control effects on ceramic glazes. Full article

Background and objectives: This study examines how sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors within the patient–caregiver dyad affect caregiver burden and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in cognitive impairment. By comparing baseline data with a 1-year follow-up, the research aims to identify key predictors of caregiver burden and well-being. Methods: A longitudinal observational study was conducted in an Italian rehabilitation hospital, recruiting 132 outpatients and their caregivers at baseline, categorized as (a) Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI, n = 33); (b) dementia (DEM, n = 58); (c) healthy subjects (No-CI, n = 41). One year after baseline assessment (T0), patients were contacted and invited for an in-person follow-up re-evaluation (T1). Most attrition was related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistical analyses included non-parametric tests for group comparisons and stepwise multiple linear regression to identify predictors of burden, adjusting for confounders (e.g., age, gender, education, employment, co-residence). Results: A total of 51 subjects (age: 80.0 ± 6.1) and 34 caregivers (age: 58.8 ± 15.9) were evaluated. Patients were balanced by gender (53% males); most were retired (96%), married (62.7%), and cared for by sons (47%) or wife–husband (47%). Caregivers (females: 85%) were married (68.3%) and active workers (46.4%). Over one year, 17 No-CI subjects developed MCI or DEM; 15 MCI patients progressed to DEM. Caregiver HRQoL negatively correlated with distress and burden in MCI and DEM groups. Patient cognitive status, functional abilities, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and gender predicted caregiver burden, emphasizing the interplay between clinical and demographic factors. Conclusions: It is essential to monitor psychosocial factors in both the patient and the caregiver to develop effective prevention and support strategies. Full article

This paper analyzes the effectiveness of some defensive assets inside global stock portfolios by applying a standard VaR approach to daily data from 2021 to 2024. The 5Y US note is by far the best hedging instrument for single-hedged portfolios, while in multiple-hedged portfolios further VaR reductions are obtained including commodities, utilities, and real estate stocks. Bitcoin’s hedging performance is strongly negative, displaying an average VaR difference of more than two basis points with respect to the best-performing multiple-hedged portfolio in moderately defensive scenarios. This gap implies much higher maximum potential daily losses for Bitcoin’s single-hedged portfolios. Dynamic risk profiles of multiple-hedged portfolios display a smoother pattern than single-hedged portfolios, particularly during turbulent periods corresponding to the start of the Russia–Ukraine war, emphasizing the crucial benefits of higher asset diversification. Full article

Poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) have garnered significant attention due to their biodegradable and biocompatible properties, making them promising alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics. As microbial-derived polyesters, PHAs offer a sustainable solution to plastic waste accumulation and microplastics because they can be produced from renewable resources, including food-related waste. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), a copolymer in the PHA family, exhibits improved mechanical flexibility and thermal properties compared to poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), thereby broadening its potential applications. In this work, eight samples of PHBV, including those made from food waste and municipal waste streams, were studied by solid-state NMR. Information obtained includes the copolymer composition, chemical shifts due to crystalline lattices, crystallinity, and polymer chain mobility. The composition matches the results from the fatty acid feed and solution NMR analysis. The samples appear to be about 62–70% crystalline. No significant differences in mobility are observed from NMR relaxation data. These results indicate that PHBV materials generated from different food-related waste sources, despite their compositional differences, possess similar crystallinity and molecular mobility, suggesting their suitability as biobased semi-crystalline plastics. Full article

Background: Cognitive impairment is a major health problem, so several studies worldwide have studied its aggravating and protective factors. However, few studies have looked into the prediction of better or worsening cognitive status based on the presence of the most relevant biopsychosocial factors. Thus, the aim of this study is to predict cognitive status classification, specifically into normal cognitive status, mild cognitive impairment, and severe cognitive impairment, based on the most studied risk and protective factors in the context of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe and Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol association (SHARE-HCAP) project. Methods: Participants were from five European countries, and measures included their cognitive status classification from SHARE-HCAP and several associated factors previously measured in the eighth wave of SHARE. Results: A multinomial logistic regression was performed, with normal cognition as the reference category. Most individuals were correctly classified. Conclusions: Frequent participation in social activities and good cognitive task performance were associated with a lower likelihood of mild cognitive impairment compared to normal cognitive status. In turn, higher scores in depression and social network were associated with an increased likelihood of being classified as MCI in contrast to normal cognition. Additionally, being a woman and having worse cognitive performance were predictors of severe cognitive impairment classification over normal cognition status. Depression also contributed to a higher likelihood of being classified as mild and severe cognitive impairment, in contrast to a normal cognitive status. These findings highlight the importance of preventive medical check-ups and interventions before the onset of the first cognitive decline symptoms. Full article

The present systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of evidence and practices regarding sustainable career transitions in elite sport. Following PRISMA guidelines, an extensive literature search was conducted in SPORTDiscus (EBSCOhost), PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, resulting in 117 manuscripts, published from January 2015 to May 2025, and meeting the defined inclusion criteria. The review focused on mental health, dual-career pathways, transition readiness, and identity-related issues among elite athletes, Olympians, and Paralympians. Methodologies included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods designs, with multisport and mixed-gender samples prevailing. The most commonly used instruments were semi-structured interviews and surveys. The main findings highlighted the centrality of mental health support, the role of dual-career planning, and the importance of proactive identity negotiation. Despite growing research interest, significant gaps persist in access to psychological support, structured transition planning, and dual-career strategies, with notable inconsistencies across countries and sports. The review emphasizes the necessity for integrated, multidimensional guidance, culturally sensitive psychological services, and flexible educational pathways to promote athlete well-being and sustainable post-sport careers. These insights are intended to inform the implementation of the ERASMUS+ funded PORTAL project, supporting evidence-based interventions and the development of resources such as an online platform and Real-Life Transition Officers to enhance the transition experiences of elite athletes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Europe’s demographic shift is putting increasing pressure on long-term care (LTC) systems and raising concerns about the sustainability of LTC financing. In this paper, we analyse Austria’s LTC system, particularly its universal long-term-care allowance (LTCA), and aim to project LTCA expenditure under different future scenarios. Methods: We use a dynamic microsimulation model to project LTCA expenditure under four scenarios up to the year 2080. Combining LTCA statistics with pooled data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), we estimate care needs and prevalence rates across all seven care allowance levels. This enables us to project both public spending and individual lifetime costs, disaggregated by sex and education. Results: Although total LTCA expenditure is projected to rise due to population ageing, scenario comparisons show that compositional shifts—such as higher educational attainment, which is linked to lower care needs and gains in healthy life expectancy accompanying mortality improvements—can significantly mitigate cost growth. The projected total expenditure increases range from 29% in a scenario where increasing life expectancy—as assumed in official population projections—is neglected to 185% in a scenario accounting for rising life expectancy but no future health gains. The findings also highlight the impact of longevity and education on the distribution of individual lifetime costs. Conclusions: Beyond its policy implications for LTC planning, this study demonstrates the advantages of dynamic microsimulation in capturing individual-level heterogeneity, offering a significant improvement over traditional macrosimulation approaches. Full article

Background/Objectives: Peri-implant diseases may occur around osseointegrated implants and lead to implant loss. Treatment strategies focus on infection control with decontamination of implant surfaces/pockets. Mechanical debridement (MD) is necessary to reduce biofilm, although it may have limited effects. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has been proposed to increase the potential of MD. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate aPDT in adjunct to MD versus MD as a single treatment. Methods: An electronic and hand literature search was performed in several databases up to March 2025 to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed by Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCTs (RoB 2). A meta-analysis was performed with marginal bone level change (MBLc) as the primary outcome, and changes in probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP) as secondary outcomes. Results: Eleven RCTs (1056 implants, 878 patients) were included. RoB was high: in 3 studies; some concerns: in 4 studies; low: in 4 studies. The included studies showed a high heterogeneity for MD/aPDT protocols and diagnostic criteria of peri-implant diseases. The meta-analysis revealed, for four studies, a significantly higher MBLc for test patients (M∆: 0.29, 95% CI 0.12, 0.46; p < 0.001) and a significantly higher BOP change (M∆ 5.59; 95% CI: 1.19, 9.86; p = 0.01). No significant difference was found at 6 months in terms of PD change between the test and control groups (M∆ 0.46; 95% CI −0.09, 1.02; p = 0.10). High heterogeneity (I² > 85%) for all three outcomes was found. Conclusions: High heterogeneity, diagnostic variability, and the low number of included studies increase the need of well-designed RCTs on the topic. Despite no conclusive evidence could be found, adjunctive aPDT showed a promising trend to improve MD results. Full article

Background: Frailty is a major barrier to healthy ageing, yet early identification strategies remain limited. The serum creatinine-to-cystatin C ratio (sarcopenia index, SI) has emerged as a cost-effective biomarker of muscle mass and function, while physical activity (PA) is a key protective factor. However, their combined role in predicting frailty is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the independent and joint associations of SI and PA with incident frailty in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: We analyzed 5307 participants aged ≥45 years from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011–2018). SI was calculated from serum creatinine and cystatin C levels, and PA was assessed using standardized questionnaires. Frailty was defined using a 32-item Frailty Index (FI ≥ 0.25). Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of SI and PA with incident frailty, adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors. Effect modification by PA was formally tested. Results: Over the follow-up period, 1483 participants developed frailty (27.9%). Higher SI was inversely associated with frailty in a dose–response manner: compared with the lowest quartile, HRs (95% CIs) were 0.84 (0.73–0.97) for Q2, 0.83 (0.72–0.96) for Q3, and 0.69 (0.59–0.82) for Q4 (p-trend < 0.001). Each 10-unit increase in SI corresponded to a 6% lower frailty risk (HR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91–0.97). PA significantly modified this relationship (interaction p < 0.05), with the strongest protective effect of SI observed among individuals with low PA, and attenuation at higher PA levels. Conclusions: SI is independently associated with a lower risk of incident frailty, particularly among less physically active individuals. These findings support the potential use of SI as a feasible biomarker for early frailty risk stratification and highlight the importance of integrating biomarker-based screening with lifestyle interventions to prevent frailty. Full article

Accurate determination of the target strength (TS) of a fish species is essential for estimating the biomass of fish stocks using acoustic technology. This study estimated the daytime in situ target strength of Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) at 38 kHz using echosounder data collected during hake biomass acoustic-trawl surveys and research cruises conducted from 2009 to 2019 by U.S. and Canadian scientists. The intercept term for the 20-log TS regression over fish length at 38 kHz, $b_{20}$ was found to be −67.9 dB re 1 m² (CI: −68.09, −67.72), closely aligning with the currently used value of −68 dB in biomass assessments. Applying the revised $b_{20}$ value of −67.9 dB in past stock assessments suggests that biomass estimates would be underestimated by less than 3%, which is well within the typical uncertainty range of fish stock assessments. Full article

Purpose of the article: The study aims to explore how demographic characteristics—including gender, age, education, employment type, household composition, and place of residence—affect perceived financial security among Hungarian adults. It seeks to identify which population segments feel most or least financially secure and to assess the relationship between socio-demographic factors and subjective financial well-being. Methods: The analysis is based on the OECD Financial Culture Survey conducted in Hungary on a representative sample of 1000 adults. Perceived financial security was measured using four questionnaire items related to financial satisfaction, concerns about expenses, and income sufficiency. Independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Welch’s ANOVA were applied to test group differences. Findings & value added: Results indicate no significant gender differences in perceived financial security, while education and employment status show strong effects: higher educational attainment and self-employment or retirement are associated with greater financial security, whereas lack of formal education and disability predict lower security perceptions. Urban residents, particularly in large cities, report significantly higher perceived security than those in smaller towns. The study contributes to the literature by integrating OECD-level data with demographic analysis, highlighting the role of education and labor market position in shaping subjective financial well-being in Hungary. Full article

Background/Objectives: The study aimed to examine the impact of allostatic load on healthy ageing over a decade and whether social participation attenuates this relationship among older American adults. Methods: Data were extracted from three waves (wave 8, wave 10, wave 13) of the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal survey of American adults. The analysis included allostatic load, socioeconomic (education) and demographic (gender, age, ethnicity, and marital status) factors at baseline, social participation in wave 10, and healthy ageing in wave 10 and wave 13. A latent variable was created for allostatic load that included waist circumference, C-reactive protein, glycated hemoglobin, and blood pressure. Healthy ageing was defined as an aggregate measure including freedom from disability, freedom from cognitive impairment, and high physical functioning. Social participation was a dichotomous variable that included individuals’ work status, perceived neighbourhood safety, and partaking in volunteer work. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the direct and indirect relationships between these factors and healthy ageing. Results: A total of 14,537 participants with complete data in all waves were included in the analysis. The mean age at baseline was 68.7 years. Results showed a significant association between higher allostatic load and lower healthy ageing (estimate = −0.12, 95% CI: −0.14, −0.11). Allostatic load was negatively associated with social participation (estimate = −0.32, 95% CI: −0.34, −0.30). Social participation showed a positive significant association with healthy ageing, indicating partial buffering that accounted for 12% of the total effect. Higher educational attainment was associated with better healthy-ageing outcomes, whereas non-Black ethnicity was linked to poorer healthy ageing. Conclusions: Elevated allostatic load was associated with poorer ageing outcomes, with social participation partially attenuating the relationship. Higher education predicted more favourable trajectories, while ethnic differences suggested resilience among older Black adults. These results indicate that both physiological and social factors contribute to variations in healthy ageing. Full article