We investigated the dual relationship between information and communication technology (ICT) use at work and employee well-being through the framework of the job demands-resources theory. Data were collected from the seventh European Working Conditions Survey (Eurofound), which involved 37 countries and a representative sample of 7,900 workers. The findings revealed that ICT plays a dual role. On one hand, ICT enhances job autonomy, which positively influences work engagement and, subsequently, improves well-being. On the other hand, ICT use increases workload, leading to greater job exhaustion and reduced well-being. Additionally, autonomy was found to be negatively related to exhaustion, offering a secondary positive pathway to well-being. The study also examined the moderator role of employee age. Results showed that age amplifies the negative relationships between ICT use, workload, and well-being. Overall, the study highlights the complex interplay between ICT use at work and employee well-being.

Mobility limitations due to chronic musculoskeletal pain are a major contributor to disability in older adults, yet current pharmacological treatments often have limited efficacy and increase the risk of polypharmacy. Omega (ω)-3 PUFA, particularly EPA and DHA, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, but are under-consumed among older USA adults. Krill oil, a marine-derived source of EPA and DHA with enhanced bioavailability compared with typical fish oils and additional bioactive compounds such as astaxanthin and choline, may offer a promising nutritional intervention. This pilot study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of a 3-month randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of krill oil supplementation (4 g/d: 1288 mg EPA + DHA, 0·45 mg astaxanthin, 320 mg choline) v. placebo (mixed vegetable oils) in forty community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 60 years with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Primary outcomes include feasibility (recruitment, retention and adherence) and acceptability (participant satisfaction). Secondary outcomes include changes in the omega-3 index, ω-6/ω-3 ratio and inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), as well as exploratory changes in pain intensity and functional interference, and physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery, 6-Minute Walk Test). Findings will inform the design of future fully powered trials that may ultimately contribute to the evidence for omega-3 supplementation as a non-pharmacological strategy to support healthy aging and functional independence in older adults.

Colchester Museums has collected Roman-period medical instruments from the town since the late nineteenth century. Brought together here, along with items from the town housed in other institutions, their typological links or differences are explored, along with their wide range of uses. They are set in a variety of contexts, including a conquest-period British Doctor’s kit from Stanway, near Colchester, the alloys used in their manufacture, their distribution across the town and its suburbs, the diseases evident from late Romano-British human remains in the town’s cemeteries, and herbal remedies and other treatments. Interpretation of a previously enigmatic collyrium stamp attests to an eye infection not previously recorded in Roman Britain.

Self-concept in adolescence plays a key role in psychological adjustment, yet its development in twins remains underexplored — especially in Central Europe. While previous studies suggest minor differences between monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins, cultural and contextual influences may affect how twins perceive themselves. This mixed-method study examined 336 Czech adolescent twins (168 twin pairs; 32 MZ, 136 DZ) aged 11–15 years. Participants completed three standardized instruments: the Behavioral and Psychological Adjustment Questionnaire (BPQA), the School Performance and Adjustment Scale (SPAS), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Quantitative analyses included t tests, Analyses of Variance (ANOVAs), and Pearson correlations. To triangulate findings, focus group interviews were conducted with three twin pairs and analyzed thematically. No statistically significant differences were found between MZ and DZ twins across BPQA, SPAS, and RSES measures. However, small, nonsignificant trends suggested slightly higher emotional self-concept scores in MZ twins. A modest gender difference emerged: girls reported more internalizing symptoms. Correlational analysis showed that lower behavioral difficulties were associated with higher school adjustment and self-esteem. Thematic analysis from focus groups confirmed key patterns such as the emotional safety of twinship and the struggle for individuality. Zygosity does not appear to be a major predictor of self-concept in early adolescence. Instead, self-perception in twins is shaped by a complex interplay of mental health, family dynamics, and peer context. Future research should compare twin self-concept development across cultures to further examine sociocultural influences.

How should democratic representation be measured in an era of increasingly individualized and volatile political identities, and fragile collective attachments? Traditionally, research on representation has sought a single best dimension measure of voter-party congruence and representative fit; yet, in postmodern societies marked by fluid and fragmented identities, this approach, we argue, oversimplifies voter choice and misrepresents the quality of democratic representation. To address these limitations, we draw on social theory diagnoses that illuminate how contemporary processes of individualization, alienation, and fragmentation shape political identity formation and democratic representation. We develop a novel framework of multi-point congruence to assess voter-party alignment across the full voter-party matrix along three dimensions: aggregate issue agreement, party-defined salience, and voter-defined salience. Using a unique voting advice application dataset from Slovakia’s early elections in 2023 (N = 134,699), an illustrative case for postmodern electoral dynamics, we show that personalized representation, centered on voter-defined priorities, maximizes policy alignment but fosters fragmentation, as voters often find multiple parties equally proximate. By contrast, party-centered representation sharpens partisan distinctiveness but increases ideological distance from voters. These competing logics of representation expose a core democratic trade-off: tailoring representation to individual preferences enhances policy fit but erodes partisan clarity, potentially leading to higher voter volatility and weakening voter-party linkages at the system level. Overall, our framework offers a more nuanced and generalizable assessment of voter-party alignment and representative quality in fragmented party systems of the contemporary, capturing not just how alignment occurs, but the democratic tensions it entails.

This study investigates the potential of six illite-rich clay samples from the Lower Cretaceous outcrops of Zemlet El Beidha (southern Tunisia) as precursors for geopolymer synthesis. Τhe raw materials are predominantly illitic, although kaolinite remains a main reactive phase. Samples BHG2 and BHG5 were specifically selected for further investigation due to their relatively high kaolinite content compared to the remaining samples and due to their distinct secondary mineralogy, with BHG2 being rich in hematite and BHG5 being rich in calcite. This selection allowed for a comparative analysis of how different impurities affect geopolymerization. The samples were calcined at 550°C, 750°C and 950°C to determine the optimal dehydroxylation temperature. Alkali activation was systematically performed using 10, 12 and 14 M NaOH solutions to assess the influence of alkalinity on the polycondensation process. The 12 M NaOH was most effective for the dissolution of aluminosilicate phases without the detrimental effects of excess sodium. Structural characterization (X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy) confirmed that the greatest compressive strength (∼8 MPa) was achieved with BHG5 calcined at 750°C. Although this strength is lower than that of kaolinite-based geopolymers, it meets the requirements for non-structural applications, such as thermal insulation or lightweight masonry units. This research demonstrates a viable pathway for valorizing abundant illitic-kaolinitic Tunisian clays into sustainable construction materials.

Although grief is a universal part of the human experience, for some, it may become a debilitating mental health disorder. Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) has recently been included in diagnostic guidelines worldwide, but there is little research on global applicability. To our knowledge, this is one of the preliminary studies to examine PGD rates, risk factors and psychometric validity of the International Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (IPGDS) concurrently across multiple African countries. It is also one of the first studies to examine probable PGD in young adults anywhere, and importantly, in a context where bereavement is often experienced earlier and more often. Psychometric validity and reliability of the IPGDS were confirmed, and exploratory factor analysis supported a one-factor structure. Despite significantly higher exposure to loss and death than in the Western samples, prevalence rates for probable PGD were similar (Kenya 9.63%, South Africa 6.85% and Namibia 5.34%, vs. the global average of 9.8%). Risk factors identified in all three samples include a close relationship to the deceased and a violent death. Gender differences were seen in Kenya and Namibia, with higher rates of probable PGD for women. Financial difficulties increased disorder-level risk in Kenya and South Africa.

Over the last 20 years, many countries have experienced the rise of radical right-wing populist (RRP) actors that threaten democratic governance, including in Latin America. These actors have deployed a variety of discursive frames based on economic grievances and (perceived) changing social values. The 2018 elections in Costa Rica were part of this phenomenon: a right-wing populist outsider presidential candidate deployed several frames and earned the most votes in the first round of voting. We analyze support for this candidate to understand which sectors of society were galvanized by the deployment of economic, anti-establishment, and cultural frames. We find that economic frames had much weaker traction than anti-establishment and cultural frames and that opposition to same-sex marriage was the frame with the strongest galvanizing effect across a wide range of demographic groups, beyond the expected ones. These findings support extant scholarship demonstrating the effective politicization of cultural issues by RRP actors for electoral purposes.

Hyperprolactinaemia is a common adverse effect of antipsychotic medication, primarily resulting from dopamine D2 receptor blockade. It is characterised by menstrual irregularities, gynaecomastia, galactorrhoea and, with prolonged exposure, an increased risk of osteoporosis and breast cancer. When switching towards a prolactin-sparing antipsychotic is not feasible, adjunctive use of aripiprazole – a dopamine D2 partial agonist – has emerged as a validated strategy to mitigate hyperprolactinaemia without compromising antipsychotic efficacy. However, alternative options are needed for patients who cannot tolerate aripiprazole. Here we report the use of brexpiprazole, a dopamine D2 partial agonist structurally related to aripiprazole, to counteract paliperidone-induced hyperprolactinaemia effectively in a patient who developed a cutaneous reaction to aripiprazole. During the follow-up period with adjunctive brexpiprazole in combination with paliperidone, neither a recurrence of psychotic symptoms nor a reappearance of the skin reaction previously experienced with aripiprazole was observed.

There are few evidence-based suicide prevention interventions tailored for adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) in sub-Saharan Africa. The safety planning intervention targets acute suicidal behavior through co-creation of actionable coping strategies for use at the onset of suicide-related distress. We utilized the Assessment-Decision-Adaptation-Production-Topical Experts-Integration-Training–Testing framework to adapt and integrate safety planning into an existing Friendship Bench + peer support model for depressed ALWH in Malawi. We conducted interviews with ALWH who reported suicidal ideation or behaviors, their caregivers, healthcare facility leadership and police officers, and focus group discussions with healthcare facility staff, community and religious leaders and teachers in Lilongwe. The study team produced adapted manuals, sought and integrated expert topical feedback, trained interventionists using a training-of-trainers model and theater tested the protocol. Formative data yielded insights into acceptability, feasibility, delivery, content and implementation of safety planning. The final safety planning + Friendship Bench + peer support program consists of one safety planning session, five problem-solving sessions with suicide risk assessment and six peer support sessions. We revised the written Safety Plan to account for limited emergency services, modified the protocol for engaging guardians, integrated suicide assessment into the problem-solving sessions and incorporated suicide prevention activities into the peer support sessions.

Freyberg Place in Auckland’s central business district has emerged as a focal site for youth cultural gatherings. Within this space, university students have localised transnational popular culture, generating new cultural meanings, identities, and affiliations. Over the past decade, Hallyu, and K-pop in particular, has expanded significantly in Aotearoa, New Zealand. This study draws on personal accounts from university student K-pop fans of diverse backgrounds, with attention to their involvement in Auckland’s K-festival, random play dances, and the University of Auckland K-pop Planet club and its Konstellation dance crew. These narratives demonstrate how participation in K-pop activities facilitated adaptation to the residential, social, and academic challenges of university life, while simultaneously fostering peer networks and community belonging. Engagement in these events also enabled students to acquire leadership experience and transferable skills relevant to future employment. Face-to-face fan practices and embodied participation through dance provided an avenue for affective immersion, reinforcing identification with global fan networks. For these students, K-pop constituted both an alternative to Western popular music and a medium through which they articulated transnational identities, positioning themselves as globally connected cultural consumers.

Irrigation is a key agricultural input that can influence nutrition through production and income pathways, yet its role in shaping diets remains underexamined. This study examines the effects of irrigation on food consumption and diet quality among farming households. We find that irrigation adoption increases consumption of milk, wheat, and sugar, but it has a limited or no effect on higher intake of nutrient-rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, eggs, and meat. Groundwater irrigation has stronger effects on nutrient-dense food consumption than surface water irrigation. These findings highlight the need for nutrition-sensitive irrigation policies to improve access to healthier and more diverse diets.

Recent work in variationist sociolinguistics has argued for greater interactional accountability in analyses of linguistic variation. The present article contributes to this line of inquiry by exploring the interactional conditioning of a relatively new pronoun – man – in two datasets: (i) a corpus of speech and social media data from young people in East London recorded in 2016/17 and (ii) a more recent social media corpus of fifty English-language TikTok videos and their comments. Analyses reveal that man is principally used as a third-person singular pronoun (man said ‘one two five’) and less often as a first-person singular pronoun (man’s doing that voice recording thing) contra to previous findings. I argue that third-person singular man is most commonly used in so-called moments of ‘byplay’ in which the interlocutor is temporarily excluded from the discourse. In this context, man draws attention to the actions or comments of an interlocutor, typically for ridicule or emphasis. I then briefly consider the relationship of man to the pronominal use of bro (bro said ‘he’s going to heaven’) before speculating that the interactional potentials of man/bro could, potentially, promote their diffusion beyond the communities in which they first emerged.

Seed germination is a critical developmental transition regulated by coordinated physiological and biochemical processes during the triphasic imbibition process. Water uptake is followed by membrane repair, restoration of mitochondrial respiration, ATP production and activation of hydrolytic enzymes involved in reserve mobilization. In this context, silver nanoparticle (AgNP) seed priming has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance germination by modulating early biochemical events through controlled redox signalling, although its effects vary among species and experimental conditions. This review integrates physiological, biochemical and molecular evidence to propose a seed-centred mechanistic framework explaining how AgNPs regulate germination through redox-dependent signalling networks. During imbibition, low AgNP concentrations can induce transient reactive oxygen species production through the combined effects of nanoparticles and released Ag⁺ ions, together with moderate thiol-based redox shifts acting as developmental signals. These signals activate antioxidant systems, mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades and hormone-dependent pathways coordinating metabolic activation and membrane repair. Controlled redox modulation may also establish a primed physiological state that improves tolerance to abiotic stress during early seedling establishment. In contrast, excessive AgNP or Ag⁺ exposure disrupts glutathione-based redox buffering, causing oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibition of germination. The magnitude and direction of these responses depend on intrinsic seed traits, including seed coat permeability, imbibition kinetics and antioxidant capacity, as well as nanoparticle properties such as size, surface chemistry and ion release dynamics. Distinguishing nanoparticle-specific effects from Ag⁺-mediated toxicity is therefore essential for interpreting nanopriming outcomes and developing safe, species-specific crop applications.