Gerontology Research Articles

Integrating and Dividing in a Late Bronze Age Society: Internal Organization of Settlements of the Tisza Site Group in the Southern Carpathian Basin, 1600–1200 b.c.

ABSTRACT Recent research in the later Bronze Age of the southern Carpathian Basin has revealed an extensive network of large, often-enclosed settlements. Within this network, a particularly dense group of sites has recently been characterized: the Tisza Site Group (TSG). Building on advances in inter-site relations in recent research, we explore social organization within settlements using five case studies from different parts of this network. Using a multi-proxy approach of satellite imagery, systematic surface survey, and geophysical prospection, we studied the distribution of archaeological features and surface traces of activity within the enclosed space. Results indicate that sites in the TSG shared a common ethos regarding the use of space and the role of the built environment that was specific to LBA occupation of this landscape. Activity areas with domestic assemblages distributed in low-density relative to the enclosed space indicates settlement and specialist subsistence activities took place in parallel.

Psychosocial and biological pathways to aging : The role(s) of the behavioral and social sciences in geroscience.

While the biological hallmarks of aging are widely recognized as fundamental mechanisms of biological aging, more recently, there have been calls within geroscience to understand the aging process more comprehensively by adding aperspective of the social hallmarks of aging. Social and behavioral factors, such as socioeconomic status, life events or behavior and beliefs can alter the aging process per se and act in complex interactions with biological pathways. In addition, underlying biological pathways have been proposed for various psychosocial concepts, such as views on age and relationship quality. The aim of the present article is to provide narrative insights into theoretical and empirical developments between social and behavioral gerontology and geroscience or biogerontology. This article focuses on the potential of an interdisciplinary aging research but it also sets out the critical perspective that social gerontology provides.

Co-analysis of methylation platforms for signatures of biological aging in the domestic dog reveals previously unexplored confounding factors.

Chronological age reveals the number of years an individual has lived since birth. By contrast, biological age varies between individuals of the same chronological age at a rate reflective of physiological decline. Differing rates of physiological decline are related to longevity and result from genetics, environment, behavior, and disease. The creation of methylation biological age predictors is a long-standing challenge in aging research due to the lack of individual pre-mortem longevity data. The consistent differences in longevity between domestic dog breeds enable the construction of biological age estimators which can, in turn, be contrasted with methylation measurements to elucidate mechanisms of biological aging. We draw on three flagship methylation studies using distinct measurement platforms and tissues to assess the feasibility of creating biological age methylation clocks in the dog. We expand epigenetic clock building strategies to accommodate phylogenetic relationships between individuals, thus controlling for the use of breed standard metrics. We observe that biological age methylation clocks are affected by population stratification and require heavy parameterization to achieve effective predictions. Finally, we observe that methylation-related markers reflecting biological age signals are rare and do not colocalize between datasets.

Identification of De Novo Dividing Stem Cells.

The ability to alternate between quiescent and proliferating states is a remarkable feature of many types of somatic stem cells. The balance between quiescent and proliferating states is vital for maintenance of stem cells over the lifespan, and its disturbance may lead to premature depletion of the stem cell pool and loss of the tissue regenerative or renewal capacity at later stages of life. The question on how this balance is regulated is of critical importance in stem cell research and biology of aging. Assessment of the balance between quiescent and proliferating states has remained challenged until recently due to the lack of approaches for robust determination of the rate at which stem cells exit reversible cell cycle arrest. Here, we propose a simple method for detection of those stem cells that have entered the division cycle after a prolonged period of quiescence.The method combines cumulative and pulse labeling with thymidine analogues 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU). In the discussed labeling scheme, cells that have incorporated only the second label, EdU, are de novo dividing cells. The suggested double labeling method provides quantitative assessment of the rate at which stem cells exit the quiescent state and allows the fates of de novo dividing stem cells to be traced.

Locus coeruleus contrast and diffusivity metrics differentially relate to age and memory performance

Neurocognitive aging researchers are increasingly focused on the locus coeruleus, a neuromodulatory brainstem structure that degrades with age. With this rapid growth, the field will benefit from consensus regarding which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics of locus coeruleus structure are most sensitive to age and cognition. To address this need, the current study acquired magnetization transfer- and diffusion-weighted MRI images in younger and older adults who also completed a free recall memory task. Results revealed significantly larger differences between younger and older adults for maximum than average magnetization transfer-weighted contrast (MTC), axial than mean or radial single-tensor diffusivity (DTI), and free than restricted multi-compartment diffusion (NODDI) metrics in the locus coeruleus; with maximum MTC being the best predictor of age group. Age effects for all imaging modalities interacted with sex, with larger age group differences in males than females for MTC and NODDI metrics. Age group differences also varied across locus coeruleus subdivision for DTI and NODDI metrics, and across locus coeruleus hemispheres for MTC. Within older adults, however, there were no significant effects of age on MTC or DTI metrics, only an interaction between age and sex for free diffusion. Finally, independent of age and sex, higher restricted diffusion in the locus coeruleus was significantly related to better (lower) recall variability, but not mean recall. Whereas MTC has been widely used in the literature, our comparison between the average and maximum MTC metrics, inclusion of DTI and NODDI metrics, and breakdowns by locus coeruleus subdivision and hemisphere make important and novel contributions to our understanding of the aging of locus coeruleus structure.

From metaverse to meta AI: a dynamic disruption in libraries in higher education institutions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges and opportunities presented by the Metaverse and Meta artificial intelligence (AI) for libraries in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and to propose strategies for libraries to adapt and innovate in response to these disruptions. Design/methodology/approach This paper employs a qualitative approach, drawing upon literature review and analysis to explore the disruptive impact of emerging technologies, including the Metaverse and Meta AI, on libraries in HEIs. Findings The findings suggest that the convergence of the Metaverse and Meta AI is reshaping library services, altering user expectations and transforming information retrieval and management. While these disruptions pose challenges such as bias in AI algorithms and privacy concerns, they also offer opportunities for libraries to enhance user experiences, foster collaboration and expand their reach beyond physical boundaries. Research limitations/implications The findings of this paper highlight the need for libraries in HEIs to embrace change, prioritize user-centric design, foster innovation and promote digital literacy education. Following this, libraries will continue to fulfill their mission of supporting teaching, learning and research in the digital age. Originality/value This essay contributes to the existing literature by providing insights into the disruptive impact of emerging technologies on libraries in HEIs. The paper explores the intersection of the Metaverse, Meta AI and library services, as well as offers original perspectives on the evolving role of libraries in the digital era.

Advances of membrane electrode assembly aging research of proton exchange membrane fuel cell under variable load: degradation mechanism, aging indicators, prediction strategy, and perspectives

Advances of membrane electrode assembly aging research of proton exchange membrane fuel cell under variable load: degradation mechanism, aging indicators, prediction strategy, and perspectives

Accounting research for the digital age

In this commentary I provide a high-level overview of the impact of the ongoing digital revolution on management practices and its implications for accounting as a branch of management. I articulate why the accounting academic community needs to embark on its own digital transformation. I highlight the challenges and opportunities that the digital revolution presents to accounting scholars and call for a new model for accounting research, teaching, and industry outreach for the digital age.

Age-related changes in cheek skin movement: A case study of Japanese women.

The majority of conventional studies on skin aging have focused on static conditions. However, in daily life, the facial skin we encounter is constantly in motion due to conversational expressions and changes in facial expressions, causing the skin to alter its position and shape, resulting in a dynamic state. Consequently, it is hypothesized that characteristics of aging not apparent in static conditions may be present in the dynamic state of the skin. Therefore, this study investigates age-related changes in dynamic skin characteristics associated with facial expression alterations. A motion capture system measured the dynamic characteristics (delay and stretchiness of skin movement associated with expression) of the cheek skin in response to facial expressions among 86 Japanese women aged between 20 and 69 years. The findings revealed an increase in the delay of cheek skin response to facial expressions (r=0.24, p<0.05) and a decrease in the stretchiness of the lower cheek area with age (r=0.60, p<0.01). An increasing variance in delay and stretchiness within the same age group was also observed with aging. The findings of this study revealed that skin aging encompasses both static characteristics, such as spots, wrinkles, and sagging, traditionally studied in aging research, and dynamic aging characteristics of the skin that emerge in response to facial expression changes. These dynamic aging characteristics could pave the way for the development of new methodologies in skin aging analysis and potentially improve our understanding and treatment of aging impressions that are visually perceptible in daily life but remain unexplored.

Exploring space and practices of control in long-term residential care violence prevention strategies

Long-term residential care (LTRC) should be a safe place to work and to live, but it can be a site of violent situations for older people and staff. In this article, we draw on critical geographies, aging, and violence research to analyze how staff perceive, manage, and control the risk of violence in LTRC. Specifically, we explore the role of space as an instrument of control in places of care; the language of risk and risk containment in these places; and how movement figures into management of the risk of violence. Data included telephone and web-based semi-structured interviews with 29 staff in two Canadian provinces from 2021 to 2023, which were analyzed inductively. LTRC staff described having access to and support from other staff as an important feature of safe places. They also emphasized visibility, opportunities to escape from violent or threatening situations, being cognizant of objects that may be used as weapons and moving some residents to other tables, rooms, or specialized units. Finally, some staff acknowledged tensions between person-centered care and protecting staff and resident safety. Our analysis raises concerns about whether the management of space, objects, and activities employed to promote safety contribute to the care and dignity of older people. By drawing attention to the role of space, place, and risk containment in managing violent situations, we illustrate the important contributions of critical geography in troubling institutional care for older people.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Interaction Interface Aging Research: From 2003 to 2022

A Bibliometric Analysis of Interaction Interface Aging Research: From 2003 to 2022

Depression, loneliness, and lower social activity as partial mediators of the association between visual impairment and cognitive decline.

Sensory impairment is a hypothesized risk factor for cognitive decline; however, the psychosocial pathways are not well understood. We evaluated whether the association between visual impairment (VI) and cognitive decline was partially mediated via depressive symptoms, loneliness, or social activity. We used data from 2601 older adults enrolled in the Memory and Aging Project in 1997 and the Minority Aging Research Study in 2004 with neuropsychological tests across five domains measured annually for up to 16years. VI was assessed with the Rosenbaum Pocket Vision Screener. Depressive symptoms, loneliness, and social activity were self-reported using validated scales. We used structural equation models to estimate the associations of VI with baseline and change in cognitive function, directly and indirectly through each mediator (depressive symptoms, loneliness, and social activity). We evaluated mediation via "psychological distress" using a latent variable combining depressive symptoms and loneliness. The association between VI and global cognitive decline was mediated via lower social activity (indirect effect) [95% confidence interval (CI)] of linear slope: -0.025 (-0.048, -0.011), via loneliness (-0.011 [95% CI: -0.028, -0.002]), and via psychological distress (-0.017 [95% CI: -0.042, -0.003]). We did not find sufficient evidence for mediation via depressive symptoms alone. The harmful effect of VI on cognitive decline may be partially mediated through loneliness and lower social activity.

Editorial: Bridging Boundaries: Advancing Learning Through Scholarship in An Evolving Academic Landscape

The scholarship of teaching and learning focuses on improving student outcomes by lever- aging research on education, instructional design, and pedagogy (Boyer, 1990). Scholars use analytical frameworks to inform innovative classroom policies and practices that enhance the learning experience and promote student success. The Boyer Model of Scholarship not only pro- motes a student-centered learning approach but also inspires faculty members to engage in research activities that inform best practices in teaching and learning. This model recognizes teaching as a significant form of scholarship that influences student development. However, challenges arise when the scholarship of teaching and learning is not explicitly integrated into institutional research plans and frameworks (Simmons et al., 2021). Teaching- focused faculty often face barriers such as limited funding and a lack of collegial support for their scholarly endeavors, hindering the recognition of SoTL as legitimate research (Simmons et al., 2021).

Student experiences with an interprofessional hope-based healthy aging research project

ABSTRACT Interprofessional education (IPE) and research enhances learning, team-based communication, and cross-disciplinary collaborations, which can result in higher quality care for older adults. Despite the importance of IPE, it remains underutilized in higher education, demonstrating the need for extracurricular IPE opportunities. This study describes an interprofessional research project that brought together faculty, undergraduate, and graduate students from several health and social science disciplines to design and deliver a 15-week healthy aging program for older adults living in the urban Circumpolar North. Five faculty and one graduate research assistant led the project while eight students team-taught weekly, 1-hour sessions in the community focusing on healthy lifestyles within a framework of Persuasive Hope Theory. This paper describes the project, the student training procedures, and reports the results of the student satisfaction survey regarding their involvement with the research. Using a student self-assessment survey, students report gains in thinking like a scientist, increased confidence conducting research tasks, benefits from teamwork, and greater consideration of the needs of older adults in their field of study. Despite a small sample size, this study also suggests that students may be more likely to consider a career working with older adults if given hands-on experiences.

An updated immunosenescence exploration in healthy Chinese donors: circular elevated PD-1 on T cell and increased Ki67 on CD8+ T cell towards aging.

Immunosenescence is a process of immune dysfunction that occurs along with aging. Many studies have focused on the changes of different lymphocyte subsets in diseases and immune aging. However, the fluctuation in the number and phenotype of lymphocyte subset caused by aging have not been comprehensively analyzed, especially the effects of new indicators such as PD-1 and Ki67 in peripheral blood have been rarely reported. We further investigated the humoral and cellular immune parameters of 150 healthy donors over 18 years old. Age was associated with decreased CD4+CD45RA+CD62L+ T cells, decreased CD4+CD45RA+CD31+ T cells, and increased memory CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, dominated by male CD8+ T cells. The loss of CD28 expression on T cells and the transverse trend of activated CD38 and HLA-DR were also related to the increased age. In addition, CD8+ T cells in men were more prominent in activation indicators, and the difference between the old and young groups was obvious. CD4+CD25+CD127- T cells percentage tended to decrease with age and did not differ significantly between gender. Interestingly, we found that age was positively associated with PD-1+ T cells and showed significant age-related variability in men. Similarly, the percentage of CD8+ki-67+ also showed an increasing trend, with significant differences between the young group and other elderly groups in males. Our findings can provide immunological clues for future aging research, offering new insights for clinical monitoring and prevention of certain diseases.

Longitudinal fragility phenotyping contributes to the prediction of lifespan and age-associated morbidity in C57BL/6 and Diversity Outbred mice

Aging studies in mammalian models often depend on natural lifespan data as a primary outcome. Tools for lifespan prediction could accelerate these studies and reduce the need for veterinary intervention. Here, we leveraged large-scale longitudinal frailty and lifespan data on two genetically distinct mouse cohorts to evaluate noninvasive strategies to predict life expectancy in mice. We applied a modified frailty assessment, the Fragility Index, derived from existing frailty indices with additional deficits selected by veterinarians. We developed an ensemble machine learning classifier to predict imminent mortality (95% proportion of life lived [95PLL]). Our algorithm represented improvement over previous predictive criteria but fell short of the level of reliability that would be needed to make advanced prediction of lifespan and thus accelerate lifespan studies. Highly sensitive and specific frailty-based predictive endpoint criteria for aged mice remain elusive. While frailty-based prediction falls short as a surrogate for lifespan, it did demonstrate significant predictive power and as such must contain information that could be used to inform the conclusion of aging experiments. We propose a frailty-based measure of healthspan as an alternative target for aging research and demonstrate that lifespan and healthspan criteria reveal distinct aspects of aging in mice.

Nonlinear age-related differences in probabilistic learning in mice: A 5-armed bandit task study

This study explores the impact of aging on reinforcement learning in mice, focusing on changes in learning rates and behavioral strategies. A 5-armed bandit task (5-ABT) and a computational Q-learning model were used to evaluate the positive and negative learning rates and the inverse temperature across three age groups (3, 12, and 18 months). Results showed a significant decline in the negative learning rate of 18-month-old mice, which was not observed for the positive learning rate. This suggests that older mice maintain the ability to learn from successful experiences while decreasing the ability to learn from negative outcomes. We also observed a significant age-dependent variation in inverse temperature, reflecting a shift in action selection policy. Middle-aged mice (12 months) exhibited higher inverse temperature, indicating a higher reliance on previous rewarding experiences and reduced exploratory behaviors, when compared to both younger and older mice. This study provides new insights into aging research by demonstrating that there are age-related differences in specific components of reinforcement learning, which exhibit a non-linear pattern.

A proteomic signature of healthspan.

The focus of aging research has shifted from increasing lifespan to enhancing healthspan to reduce the time spent living with disability. Despite significant efforts to develop biomarkers of aging, few studies have focused on biomarkers of healthspan. We developed a proteomics-based signature of healthspan (healthspan proteomic score (HPS)) using data from the UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project (53,018 individuals and 2920 proteins). A lower HPS was associated with higher mortality risk and several age-related conditions, such as COPD, diabetes, heart failure, cancer, myocardial infarction, dementia, and stroke. HPS showed superior predictive accuracy for these outcomes compared to chronological age and biological age measures. Proteins associated with HPS were enriched in hallmark pathways such as immune response, inflammation, cellular signaling, and metabolic regulation. Our findings demonstrate the validity of HPS, making it a valuable tool for assessing healthspan and as a potential surrogate marker in geroscience-guided studies.

Sexual satisfaction and attitude toward marital infidelity among married people in Iran: the role of social media and entertainment preferences

Background and purposeSexual satisfaction and attitudes toward marital infidelity are crucial components of marital quality and well-being. This study investigates the impact of social media and entertainment preferences on these aspects among married couples in Iran, acknowledging the sociocultural nuances unique to the region.Method and materialA cross-sectional survey design was employed, gathering data from 1,756 married participants through an online questionnaire in Iran. Variables included social media and entertainment preferences, sexual satisfaction, attitude toward marital infidelity, and demographic details. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test), and GLM (Generalized linear model) were used for exploration.ResultsKey results reveal significant associations between demographic factors, social media usage, and attitudes toward marital infidelity. Notable trends include higher sexual satisfaction among younger participants (p < 0.05), those with shorter marital durations (p < 0.01), and those residing outside Tehran (p < 0.001). Attitudes toward marital infidelity were influenced by gender, age, ethnicity, income levels, and social media habits, reflecting a complex interplay of factors. The GLM analysis emphasizes the impact of variables such as marital duration, ethnicity, spouse’s education, Iranian social media usage, and attitudes toward marital infidelity on sexual satisfaction. Participants with shorter marriages (p < 0.01), higher spouse education (p < 0.05), and more frequent Iranian social media usage (p < 0.001) reported higher sexual satisfaction.ConclusionsThis study explores the dynamics of marital relationships in Iran, examining the interconnections between demographics, media habits, sexual satisfaction, and attitudes toward infidelity. The findings provide valuable insights into factors influencing marital satisfaction, emphasizing the importance of considering cultural contexts. Robust statistical methods, including Generalized Linear Models, support the reliability of results. The study contributes to understanding non-western marital dynamics, highlighting implications for research and interventions in the digital age.

Genealogical Ethics in the United States and the Popularization of Genealogical Research in the Digital Age

This article examines genealogical ethics in the digital age. At a time when more resources for research are available digitally than ever previously, digital media also pose challenges for the large-scale dissemination of false or misleading information as well as the incautious presentation of more careful research that then might be misconstrued by some. This article first reviews the literature about the development of academic genealogy and professional ethical standards. It then provides a series of case studies, each of which examines particular situations in which ethical questions have arisen about the presentation of research findings. This article argues for a greater need among lay researchers to pursue careful research and for a greater need among commercial genealogical databases to foster that. It also argues for the need, grounded in the ethical respect for human dignity, to recognize the individuality and to respect the dignity of the life stories of those whom we study and about whom we write, which should undergird the research process and the presentation of findings. In a concluding section, this essay presents several suggestions that could be used by commercial genealogical companies and researchers to promote more careful investigation and to improve the presentation of findings in commercial databases, online trees, genealogical websites, and other genealogical works that do not routinely undergo peer review.