Life Stages Research Articles

Impact of physical and sexual abuse on risk of hospitalisations for physical and mental illnesses: insights from two large prospective cohort studies

Physical abuse can lead to severe health consequences that extend beyond immediate harm. We explored the associations of physical abuse experienced during childhood and adulthood with a wide range of adult health conditions requiring hospital treatment. We utilised data from a sub-cohort of 157,366 UK Biobank participants (46.4% of the baseline population; age range 45-81; 89,101 women) and repeated analyses in an independent population of 85,929 adults from the Finnish Public Sector (FPS) study (age range 17-78; 68,544 women). Participants in both cohorts reported instances of physical and sexual abuse at study baseline. Follow-up included 77 common health conditions ascertained from linkage data to national hospital and mortality registries. Mean follow-up duration was 4.6 years (SD 0.14) in UK Biobank and 10.6 years (4.3) in FPS. Physical and sexual abuse was associated with 22 mental and physical health conditions. After multivariable adjustments, participants who experienced abuse during both early and later stages of life had a 2.12- (95% confidence interval 1.39-3.23) to 3.37-fold (1.52-7.45) increased risk of mental and behavioural disorders, a 1.46 (1.20-1.79) to 1.83 (1.05-3.20) times increased risk of metabolic, haematologic, and respiratory diseases, and a 1.24 (1.07-1.45) times higher risk of inflammatory diseases compared with non-exposed participants. The absolute risk difference between these groups was greatest for metabolic and haematologic conditions (rate 381 and risk difference 160 per 100,000 person-years). Frailty, comorbidities, and competing risk of death did not modify these associations, but the possibility of bias or residual confounding cannot be excluded. Repeated exposure to physical and sexual abuse amplifies the risk of hospitalisations from mental disorders and physical diseases spanning diverse organ systems. Addressing this issue may necessitate multifaceted strategies, including shifts in societal norms, legal measures, and increased healthcare provision for affected individuals and their families. Wellcome Trust, UK Medical Research Council, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Academy of Finland.

Longitudinal Analysis of the Relationship Between Social Isolation and Hypertension in Early Middle Adulthood.

Most studies have used cross-sectional or limited follow-up data to evaluate the relationship between social isolation (SI) and hypertension in older populations. The objective of this analysis was to examine the relationship between longitudinal SI and hypertension in a younger population. The present analysis used data from waves I to V of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (1994-2018) and logistic regression models to describe the association of timing, duration, and transitional patterns of SI with hypertension in early middle adulthood. Models were adjusted for demographic variables and adolescent socioeconomic and health-related confounders. SI was higher across life stages among individuals with hypertension (adolescence: 38% versus 35%, young adulthood: 52% versus 44%, and early middle adulthood: 61% versus 52%). Individuals who were socially isolated in young adulthood or early middle adulthood had greater odds of hypertension in early middle adulthood than those who were not (odds ratio [OR], 1.30 [95% CI, 1.07-1.56]; OR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.15-1.76], respectively). Early middle adulthood hypertension was significantly associated with persistent SI across all life stages and for those who moved into persistent SI after adolescence (OR, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.02-1.93]; OR, 1.61 [95% CI, 1.18-2.19], respectively). SI in young or early middle adulthood significantly increased the odds of hypertension, as did moving into SI and the accumulation of SI across life stages. Our analysis provides insights regarding timing for effective interventions to reduce hypertension earlier in the life course, which may prevent future adverse cardiovascular-related events.

YENİYETMƏLƏRİN SOSİALLAŞMASINDA AİLƏ MÜHİTİNİN ROLU

Socialization Arrangement Features of the Family Environment for Teenagers Summary Definite role of family is conditioned by the deep influence of the growing man on all physical and spiritual life complexes. It is important for a child to live and be brought up. In the early stages of the child's life, the impact of the family is superior to other educational influences. Success in shaping personality is conditioned primarily by family. They should form such qualities in the family, so it is difficult to form them outside the family. The family carries out the process of socialization of personality. This should be a generalized expression of the family's efforts on physical, moral and educational upbringing. The family should ensure that traditions are inherited. Key words: socialization of adolescents, family education, harmonic development of the child, self-identification of personality, family model

Comparing the migration behavior and survival of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) smolts.

Many organisms rely on migrations between habitats to maximize lifetime fitness, but these migrations can be risky due to a suite of factors. In anadromous salmonids, the smolt migration from fresh water to sea is a critical life stage, during which smolts can experience high mortality from multiple sources. This study investigated the migratory behavior and survival of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and anadromous brown trout (Salmo trutta) smolts during their seaward migration using acoustic telemetry between March and May 2021. Due to the extinction of wild salmon in the River Gudenaa after the construction of the Tange hydropower plant, this study used hatchery-reared salmon originating from a nearby Danish river. A total of 75 hatchery-reared salmon smolts, 75 hatchery-reared trout smolts, and 75 wild trout smolts were tagged with acoustic transmitters and released into River Gudenaa, Denmark. The downstream movements of tagged fish were monitored using acoustic receivers deployed in the river and fjord. Hatchery-reared trout initiated migration first, followed by hatchery-reared salmon, with wild trout being the last to migrate. There was no difference in riverine progression rates among the three smolt groups, but noticeable differences emerged once in the fjord: trout (wild and hatchery) slowed down, whereas hatchery-reared salmon maintained their speed. Riverine migration was predominantly nocturnal for all smolts; however, daytime migration increased at the fjord arrays. Day-of-year significantly influenced diurnal patterns in the river and fjord, where daytime migration increased later in the year. Hatchery-reared salmon and wild trout had reasonably good overall survival from river to sea entry (≥66%), whereas hatchery-reared trout had poor survival (c.26%). The fjord was the major bottleneck for survival of hatchery-reared trout. We found no strong evidence for differences in progression rate or diurnal patterns between wild and hatchery-reared trout to explain the lower survival. This study demonstrates that salmon and trout differ in their life-history strategy already in the post-smolt phase, and that stocking is a sub-optimal strategy to aid wild populations.

Size structure, age, and growth of the blue shark, Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758) in southern Brazil.

The blue shark is a highly migratory species with a worldwide distribution, making it susceptible to multiple fishing fleets across the globe. In southern Brazil, it is an important target, comprising up to 40% of the total biomass landed by the commercial surface longline fleet. This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of how the species uses the region and to update its life-history information available for future assessments. Over five consecutive years (2018-2022) of landings and onboard monitoring, we gathered size data and vertebral samples to describe the species size composition in the region, as well as its seasonal and interannual variability and to update estimated life-history parameters. The results showed that southern Brazil is mainly inhabited by large juvenile males that arrive during winter (July-September) and stay until spring (October-December), when their frequency decreases. Small adult males are present throughout the year but in higher frequencies during summer. A small number of adult females are present with higher frequencies during spring and summer, which decreases during the austral autumn and winter. Some variability in the presence of each life stage was observed among years. The estimated life-history parameters were as follows: L∞: 255.02 cm fork length (FL), k: 0.20, L0:35.68 cm FL for males; L∞: 246.47 cm FL, k: 0.23, L0:36.77 cm FL for females; and L∞: 269.58 cm FL, k: 0.18, L0:36.19 cm FL for pooled sexes. However, the estimated values must be cautiously interpreted, as the obtained samples cannot be construed as representative of the entire harvested stock due to the lack of consistent presence of some life stages in the study region.

Drivers of moth phenology in England and Wales

AbstractClimate change has led to changes in the phenology of Lepidoptera species. While phenological shifts have been previously measured for moth species in England and Wales, the drivers of these shifts are not well known. Here, we use data from the National Moth Recording Scheme and the Garden Moth Scheme to investigate the drivers of phenology in 149 moth species over a 50 year period from 1970 to 2019. We investigate whether there have been phenological shifts in adult emergence using three phenology metrics: First Emergence (FE), Peak Emergence (PE), and Emergence Standard Deviation (ESD) in relation to life history traits and temperature. Overwintering stage had a significant impact on moth phenology, so we analysed species that spend the winter as eggs, larvae or pupae separately. Overall phenological changes were different depending on overwintering stage category and phenological measure, with the rate of phenological shifts increasing with later overwintering life stages in response to both temperature and year. The overwintering stage larva was the only one impacted by diet, with those that feed on woody hostplants emerging ~ 17 days later than species with herbaceous hostplants. These results indicate that species that either overwinter in earlier life stages or have woody hostplants may be less adaptable to climate change, and thus should be the targets of conservation efforts.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 located in different developmental stages in Schistosoma japonicum and involved in important metabolic pathways

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are vital for regulating gene expression un organisms. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4), a class of NRs, participates in blood feeding and intestinal maintenance in schistosomes. However, there is limited research on the molecular and functional characterization of HNF4 in Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum). Highly specific polyclonal antibodies were generated to analyze the expression and tissue localization of S. japonicum HNF4 (SjHNF4). The potential biological functions of SjHNF4 were characterized by transcriptome and pull-down analysis. Subsequently, enrichment analysis was performed to identify the specific signaling pathways linked to SjHNF4. The SjHNF4 protein was expressed heterologously and purified successfully. High purity and high potency polyclonal antibodies were further prepared. The expression of SjHNF4 was higher in female compared to male worms at both transcriptional and protein levels. Female worms expressed SjHNF4 in their perithecium, reproductive system, and certain parts of the intestinal tissues. SjHNF4 was also detected in the perithecium of male worms, as well as in the head, body of cercaria, and eggs. Furthermore, our findings highlighted the potential role of SjHNF4 in blood feeding and its interaction with crucial pathways such as glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. This study shed light on the location of SjHNF4 in different life stages of S. japonicum, particularly associated with the female schistosomes. A strong correlation was observed between SjHNF4 and essential metabolic pathways. These findings laid a solid groundwork for the research on the relationship between NRs and schistosomes.

Role of germinal center and CD39highCD73+ B cells in the age-related tonsillar involution

BackgroundThe tonsils operate as a protection ring of mucosa at the gates of the upper aero-digestive tract. They show similarities with lymph nodes and participate as inductive organs of systemic and mucosal immunity. Based on the reduction of their size since puberty, they are thought to experience involution in adulthood. In this context, we have used tonsillar mononuclear cells (TMC) isolated from patients at different stages of life, to study the effect of ageing and the concomitant persistent inflammation on these immune cells.ResultsWe found an age-dependent reduction in the proportion of germinal center B cell population (BGC) and its T cell counterpart (T follicular helper germinal center cells, TfhGC). Also, we demonstrated an increment in the percentage of local memory B cells and mantle zone T follicular helper cells (mTfh). Furthermore, younger tonsils rendered higher proportion of proliferative immune cells within the freshly isolated TMC fraction than those from older ones. We demonstrated the accumulation of a B cell subset (CD20+CD39highCD73+ cells) metabolically adapted to catabolize adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as patients get older. To finish, tonsillar B cells from patients at different ages did not show differences in their proliferative response to stimulation ex vivo, in bulk TMC cultures.ConclusionsThis paper sheds light on the changing aspects of the immune cellular landscape, over the course of time and constant exposure, at the entrance of the respiratory and digestive systems. Our findings support the notion that there is a re-modelling of the immune functionality of the excised tonsils over time. They are indicative of a transition from an effector type of immune response, typically oriented to reduce pathogen burden early in life, to the development of an immunosuppressive microenvironment at later stages, when tissue damage control gets critical provided the time passed under immune attack. Noteworthy, when isolated from such histologic microenvironment, older tonsillar B cells seem to level their proliferation capacity with the younger ones. Understanding these features will not only contribute to comprehend the differences in susceptibility to pathogens among children and adults but would also impact on vaccine developments intended to target these relevant mucosal sites.

A lipidome landscape of aging in mice.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of aging is crucial for enhancing healthy longevity. We conducted untargeted lipidomics across 13 biological samples from mice at various life stages (2, 12, 19 and 24 months) to explore the potential link between aging and lipid metabolism, considering sex (male or female) and microbiome (specific pathogen-free or germ-free) dependencies. By analyzing 2,704 molecules from 109 lipid subclasses, we characterized common and tissue-specific lipidome alterations associated with aging. For example, the levels of bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate containing polyunsaturated fatty acids increased in various organs during aging, whereas the levels of other phospholipids containing saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids decreased. In addition, we discovered age-dependent sulfonolipid accumulation, absent in germ-free mice, correlating with Alistipes abundance determined by 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing. In the male kidney, glycolipids such as galactosylceramides, galabiosylceramides (Gal2Cer), trihexosylceramides (Hex3Cer), and mono- and digalactosyldiacylglycerols were detected, with two lipid classes-Gal2Cer and Hex3Cer-being significantly enriched in aged mice. Integrated analysis of the kidney transcriptome revealed uridine diphosphate galactosyltransferase 8A (UGT8a), alkylglycerone phosphate synthase and fatty acyl-coenzyme A reductase 1 as potential enzymes responsible for the male-specific glycolipid biosynthesis in vivo, which would be relevant to sex dependency in kidney diseases. Inhibiting UGT8 reduced the levels of these glycolipids and the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the kidney. Our study provides a valuable resource for clarifying potential links between lipid metabolism and aging.

Redesign of a Life Cycle Figure Improves Student Conceptions of Ecology and Evolution

Life cycle diagrams communicate the developmental life stages of an organism. Design choices may inadvertently communicate additional information about survivorship rates, genetic variation, and microevolutionary change. In this controlled experiment, we randomly assigned one of three life cycle diagrams to 684 college students. Each figure included identical life stages of a fictitious organism’s development but differed in (1) the number of offspring (single or multiple) and (2) layout (cyclical or linear). Each participant could reference the figure when answering questions about organism survival, variation among offspring, and variation between generations. Students scored 28–30% higher on questions about survivorship when the available diagram included multiple offspring. Students scored 19–30% higher on questions about microevolution when the diagram layout was linear. Overall, students who received the figure with a linear layout and multiple offspring earned the highest average score (54.5%, or 3.3 of six questions) on the assessment, while students with the traditional figure (cyclical layout with single offspring) scored the lowest average (26.1%, or 1.6 of six questions). These results suggest that figure design affects student interpretations and may assist student learning about ecology and evolution concepts and common misconceptions.

Exploring Prenatal Exposure to Halogenated Compounds and Its Relationship with Birth Outcomes Using Nontarget Analysis.

Halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) are a class of contaminants showing high toxicity, low biodegradability, and high bioaccumulation potential, especially chlorinated and brominated HOCs (Cl/Br-HOCs). Knowledge gaps exist on whether novel Cl/Br-HOCs could penetrate the placental barrier and cause adverse birth outcomes. Herein, 326 cord blood samples were collected in a hospital in Jinan, Shandong Province from February 2017 to January 2022, and 44 Cl/Br-HOCs were identified with communicating confidence level above 4 based on a nontarget approach, covering veterinary drugs, pesticides, and their transformation products, pharmaceutical and personal care products, disinfection byproducts, and so on. To our knowledge, the presence of closantel, bromoxynil, 4-hydroxy-2,5,6-trichloroisophthalonitrile, 2,6-dibromo-4-nitrophenol, and related components in cord blood samples was reported for the first time. Both multiple linear regression (MLR) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were applied to evaluate the relationships of newborn birth outcomes (birth weight, length, and ponderal index) with individual Cl/Br-HOC and Cl/Br-HOCs mixture exposure, respectively. A significantly negative association was observed between pentachlorophenol exposure and newborn birth length, but the significance vanished after the false discovery rate correction. The BKMR analysis showed that Cl/Br-HOCs mixture exposure was significantly associated with reduced newborn birth length, indicating higher risks of fetal growth restriction. Our findings offer an overview of Cl/Br-HOCs exposome during the early life stage and enhance the understanding of its exposure risks.

Congenital dislocation of the knee: A noninvasive treatment method

BACKGROUND: Congenital knee dislocation is a significant topic of interest in the possible application of new reduction techniques immediately after birth. This initiative aims to minimize the consequences of dislocation, ensuring the possibility of normal joint formation and functioning from the very first stages of life. This is not only a technical achievement but also an approach to providing optimal conditions for the health and development of children with congenital knee dislocation.
 AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the functional and long-term treatment outcomes of congenital knee dislocation using a new patented method.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 patients (194 knees) with congenital knee dislocation were examined. The patients were divided into the main group (55 patients, 90 knee joints) and the control group (65 patients, 104 knee joints). The main group received the treatment developed by the authors using an Ergopower ER 7028 vibration massager. In the control group, the traditional method of orthopedic correction of congenital knee dislocation using a Von Rosen splint and circular plaster casts was employed. At the start of treatment, the age of the patients in the main group was Me 28 [Q1 28; Q3 30] hours and that of the control group was Me 30 [Q1 28; Q3 34.5] hours.
 RESULTS: A comparative analysis of the treatment outcomes of the main and control groups showed that the developed method for correcting congenital knee dislocation using a vibration massager and careful manipulations, in contrast to traditional technology, achieved the most accurate orthopedic correction in 95% of cases, ensured the restoration of the axial profile of the knee joint and its stability, and created conditions for the harmonious growth and development of the lower extremities in adulthood. In the main group, after conservative treatment of congenital knee dislocation using improved technology, indicators for assessing knee joint function (66.7%) and pain relief (98.2%) were excellent after 5 years of observation, which was confirmed by data from a clinical study and use of specialized questionnaires.
 CONCLUSIONS: The proposed innovative method of conservative orthopedic correction of congenital knee dislocation by vibrovascularization of the thigh muscles is a differentiated approach to conservative treatment, which improved the overall and long-term treatment outcomes.

WeChat use and social participation among community‐dwelling adults with severe mental disorders: A mixed‐methods study

AbstractThe social media platform WeChat is increasingly used by individuals with severe mental disorders (SMDs). However, few studies have examined WeChat use of adults with SMDs and its association with social participation in the Chinese context. This mixed‐methods study examined the effects of WeChat use on this population's social participation. The results indicate that WeChat use was positively and significantly associated with social participation among older adults with SMDs, helping them maintain contact with family, relatives, friends, community residents, and mental health professionals. Owing to different life stages and associated social expectations, younger adults with SMDs were mainly concerned with employment or family obligations and were less likely to use WeChat for social interactions with friends and community residents. WeChat can be a useful tool to encourage social participation among older adults with SMDs; age‐related expectations for participation need to be considered in the design and delivery of intervention services.

Towards a State of Health Definition of Lithium Batteries through Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

In the era of Industry 4.0, achieving optimization in production and minimizing environmental impact has become vital. Energy management, particularly in the context of smart grids, plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainability and efficiency. Lithium-ion batteries have emerged as a leading technology for energy storage due to their versatility and performances. However, accurately assessing their State of Health (SOH) is essential for maintaining grid reliability. While discharge capacity and internal resistance (IR) are commonly used SOH indicators, battery impedance also offers valuable insights into aging degradation. This article explores the use of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to define the SOH of lithium batteries. By analyzing impedance spectra at different frequencies, a comprehensive understanding of battery degradation is obtained. A life cycle analysis is conducted on cylindrical Li–Mn batteries under various discharge conditions, utilizing EIS measurements and an Equivalent Circuit Model (ECM). This study highlights the differential effects of aging on battery characteristics, emphasizing the variations at different life stages and the behavior changes on each region of the impedance spectrum. Furthermore, it demonstrates the efficacy of EIS and the advantages of this technique compared to the solely IR measurements used in tracking SOH over time. This research contributes to advancing the understanding of lithium battery degradation and underscores the importance of EIS in defining their State of Health for Smart Grids applications.

SWOTTING STYLES USED BY KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS IN TEACHING: REFLECTIONS AND DISPOSITIONS IN FOCUS

Learning begins at home but technically, it will start the moment you enroll your kid to any kindergarten school. Kindergarten is a significant stage in every kids life, because it is the transition period from home to formal schooling. Teaching kindergarten kids is a special opportunity to introduce children to school and instill in them a love of learning. It can be one of the most enjoyable and challenging jobs. There are several ways to make the educational experience more meaningful and successful for pupils must be studied. The very purpose of this study is clearly validated in light of recent education system in our country. Teachers in kindergarten are now held accountable for the education of pupils with difficulty in learning like never before. A phenomenological study describes the meaning of lived experiences of individuals about a concept or phenomenon (Creswell, 2003) was used in this study. The intent of a phenomenological study is to understand and describe an event from the point of view of the participants. Kindergarten, which literally means a garden for children, comprises a range of early childhood educational practices. The art of teaching kindergarten kids includes different instructional designs to help children learn at their own pace while in a social and collaborative environment. The art of teaching Kindergarten kids is nurturing and supportive rather than competitive. Children learn through fun and engaging activities like art and music, transforming playtime into opportunities to instill important cognitive skills, motor skills, and social skills. A good kindergarten program should combine a multitude of teaching methods and instructional designs. KEY WORDS: swotting styles, kindergarten teachers, teaching, reflections, dispositions

Determinants of Financial Literacy

The objective of this article was to analyze the factors that determine the level of financial literacy in Mexican adults, the method used for the analysis was an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model. The results reveal that age, marital status, education, number of dependents and income level in the central and southern regions were positively associated with the financial literacy index; while men and having a job were negatively associated. One of the limitations of the study lies in the number of observations regarding some variables considered. The originality of the work consists in the fact that evidence is provided considering the characteristics at the individual level for Mexico. The findings obtained can be useful for the design of public policies as well as serve as a basis for subsequent studies.
  
 Objective: The objective of conducting an investigation into the literality of financing may be to fully understand the specific provisions and clauses of financial contracts. This may include analyzing the terms and conditions set forth in loan agreements, lines of credit or other forms of financing to fully understand the obligations and responsibilities of the parties involved.
  
 Theoretical Framework: Various proposals have been developed to measure financial literacy/inclusion (BANAMEX, 2018; Dabla-Norris et al., 2015; OECD, 2018) however, in this work the methodology developed by OECD (2018) is used, said methodology can be adapted to the situation of each country. The ENIF 2018 incorporates questions that cover aspects of financial knowledge, behaviors and attitudes in adults from 18 to 70 years of age, where the maximum score obtained is seven, nine and five points for each aspect respectively, which gives a total of 21 points. The index is built from the sum of the points obtained in each aspect.
  
 Method: This sum is normalized to 100 to facilitate its interpretation (CNBV, 2019); a higher value implies greater financial literacy and a lower value the opposite. Context of financial education in Mexico The CNBV (2019) indicates that the financial literacy index for Mexico was located at a rating of 58.2 points; when broken down by components, it indicates that "financial knowledge" was located at 65.8 and
  
 Results and conclusion: Current Level of Financial Literacy: The level of financial literacy in Mexico has been determined to be relatively low, with a large proportion of the population lacking basic knowledge of financial issues.  Impact on Financial Well-being: It has been shown that there is a direct correlation between the level of financial literacy and the economic well-being of individuals, highlighting the importance of improving education in this area to boost financial development and reduce economic insecurity. Demographic Gaps: Certain demographic groups, such as low-income people, youth and women, have been identified as facing greater challenges in terms of financial literacy, underscoring the need to adopt inclusive and targeted approaches to address these disparities. Importance of Financial Education: The relevance of promoting financial education programs from the early stages of life has been highlighted, both in the educational system and through community initiatives, to equip people with the necessary skills to make responsible financial decisions. and prepare them to face future economic challenges.
  
 Resarch implications: Awareness of the Importance of the Topic: Conducting research on financial literacy involves recognizing the critical relevance of this topic in today's society. This means understanding how a lack of financial literacy can negatively impact the lives of individuals and communities in terms of economic well-being, access to opportunities, and the ability to make informed decisions. Understanding the Causes and Consequences: The researcher must delve into the underlying causes of the lack of financial literacy, as well as the possible short- and long-term consequences for individuals and society as a whole. This involves analyzing factors such as access to financial education, the quality of the education received, socioeconomic and cultural barriers, among others. Identification of Areas of Improvement: Research can reveal specific areas where improvements are needed in terms of public policies, educational programs, financial services, and business practices. This may include recommendations to develop stronger school curricula, implement financial awareness campaigns, improve the accessibility of financial services, and promote transparency and accountability in the financial industry. Developing Innovative Solutions: By understanding the needs and challenges related to financial literacy, researchers can contribute to the development of innovative and effective solutions. This could involve creating interactive educational tools, designing training programs tailored to different demographic groups, or implementing financial technologies (fintech) that facilitate access to financial services and making informed decisions. Fostering Dialogue and Collaboration: Research can serve as a basis to foster dialogue between different actors, including government institutions, nonprofit organizations, private companies, academics, and civil society. This can lead to strategic collaborations and coordinated actions to address financial literacy challenges more effectively and sustainably.
  
 Originality/vulue: Awareness of the Importance of the Topic: Conducting research on financial literacy involves recognizing the critical relevance of this topic in today's society. This means understanding how a lack of financial literacy can negatively impact the lives of individuals and communities in terms of economic well-being, access to opportunities, and the ability to make informed decisions. Understanding the Causes and Consequences: The researcher must delve into the underlying causes of the lack of financial literacy, as well as the possible short- and long-term consequences for individuals and society as a whole. This involves analyzing factors such as access to financial education, the quality of the education received, socioeconomic and cultural barriers, among others. Identification of Areas of Improvement: Research can reveal specific areas where improvements are needed in terms of public policies, educational programs, financial services, and business practices. This may include recommendations to develop stronger school curricula, implement financial awareness campaigns, improve the accessibility of financial services, and promote transparency and accountability in the financial industry. Developing Innovative Solutions: By understanding the needs and challenges related to financial literacy, researchers can contribute to the development of innovative and effective solutions. This could involve creating interactive educational tools, designing training programs tailored to different demographic groups, or implementing financial technologies (fintech) that facilitate access to financial services and making informed decisions. Fostering Dialogue and Collaboration: Research can serve as a basis to foster dialogue between different actors, including government institutions, nonprofit organizations, private companies, academics, and civil society. This can lead to strategic collaborations and coordinated actions to address financial literacy challenges more effectively and sustainably.

Evaluating the efficiency of silver nanoparticles prepared using <i>Pseudomonas fluorescens</i> and <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> subsp. <i>tenebrionis</i> in controlling eggs and adults of <i>Callosobruchus maculatus</i> (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which are prepared biologically by two bacterial species, Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis (Btt) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (P.f) to control southern cowpea beetle insect, Callosobruchus maculatus. Many features of the prepared nanoparticles were examined, and the results obtained showed that the highest absorption value of AgNPs was at 262 nm. Whereas the results of FTIR analysis showed that several compounds played a role in the silver ions reduction process, which included alcohol, alkane, primary amine, and amine group. The scanning electronic microscopic images showed that the average diameter of nanoparticles which was created by P.f was 48.52 nm, while it was 56.08 nm for the nanoparticles prepared by Btt. The study showed no significant differences between the activity of both AgNP types against C. maculatus eggs, while a significant preference was recorded for the activity of Btt AgNPs against the C. maculatus adults. The highest percentage of unhitched eggs was 53.8% recorded at 3000 ppm concentration, while Btt AgNPs gave 59.6% at 3000 ppm. The highest mortality rate of the adults who were treated by Btt AgNPs was 58.8 % at 3000 ppm concentration, while it was recorded 50% at 3000 ppm with P.f AgNPs treatment. The current study demonstrates the efficiency of biologically prepared AgNPs in controlling C. maculatus insect life stages, which encourages using of these nanoparticles as a modern strategy in management of insect pests.

Larval trophic ecology of small pelagic fishes: a review of recent advances and pathways to fill remaining knowledge gaps

Early life stages constitute a bottleneck for most fish populations, particularly for small pelagic fish (SPF), for which the interannual variability in recruitment strength is very high, and recruits frequently constitute the bulk of the population biomass. Finding the right prey (in terms of size and quality) during these early stages is critical for recruitment success. In this work, we synthesize the available literature on the trophic ecology of the early life stages of SPF, particularly clupeiforms. Works published during the last decade (2013-2022, 37 papers) were compared to those published previously (1920-2012, 107 papers). Gut content analysis of field-caught larvae is still the most commonly used technique (44%), while the use of biomarkers (e.g. stable isotopes and fatty acid composition), molecular tools (e.g. metabarcoding) and multitrophic approaches has increased in the last decade. Significant new knowledge was gained recently, such as that on larval feeding rates and behavior through laboratory experiments for species kept in culture (e.g. Atlantic herring, Pacific and Atlantic sardines), but some old challenges remain, such as the high vacuity rates of field-caught larvae. Lastly, we provide recommendations for future studies, such as the use of complementary techniques, the importance of studying ontogenetic shifts, the use of metabarcoding for analyzing the diet of early larvae that depend on microplankton, and the identification of prey with high taxonomic resolution. Such studies are essential to better understand larval growth and survival at sea, and thus to better understand and predict SPF population dynamics.

Evaluating streamflow and temperature effects on Bull Trout migration and survival with linear spatial capture–recapture models

AbstractObjectiveIn the U.S. Pacific Northwest, climate change is increasing air temperatures, decreasing warm season (April–September) streamflow, and increasing cool season (October–March) streamflow. Warmer water temperatures may alter conditions for migratory coldwater fishes like the Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus. Consequently, an understanding of Bull Trout migration and survival is critical for species conservation and restoration. In the Salmon River basin, Idaho, 1992 and 1993 transpired to be two of the most opposing extreme years among the past three decades for warm season water temperature and streamflow. These extremes provided a unique opportunity to retrospectively compare Bull Trout survival and migration under potential climate change scenarios.MethodsWe evaluated prespawning and postspawning migrations and survival of fluvial Bull Trout that were radio‐tagged and tracked from 1992 to 1994. We used a Cormack–Jolly–Seber linear spatial capture–recapture model to simultaneously model the migration and survival of radio‐tagged prespawn (n = 58) and postspawn (n = 23) Bull Trout among weeks and river reaches with streamflow, water temperature, and habitat covariates.ResultMost individual prespawning migrations were similar among tagged fish, whereas postspawn fish adopted multiple migration and overwintering strategies. Movements of prespawn Bull Trout were larger when (1) weekly average daily maximum streamflow increased and (2) weekly average daily maximum water temperature increased. The model estimated that at least 52% of spawners survived to spawning, and mean weekly prespawning apparent survival was higher in the low‐streamflow year (1992) than in the year with higher and more variable streamflow (1993). Survival of 1992–1994 fish during the 38‐week postspawning period was intermediate to that in the prespawning period. Detections of prespawn Bull Trout were generally higher at sites with more complex habitats, less large woody debris, and fewer undercut banks.ConclusionWe found that the prespawn life stage can represent a shorter time frame (14–18 weeks) with increased mortality compared to the longer postspawning period (38 weeks). Bull Trout apparent survival increased with lower streamflow variability, indicating that expected future changes in climate may adversely affect Bull Trout.

Anomalous ocean currents and European anchovy dispersal in the Iberian ecosystem

Unlike other upwelling areas where sardine and anchovy species dominate the pelagic ecosystems, the Western Iberian ecosystem has been consistently dominated by European sardine Engraulis encrasicolus, while anchovy had a residual presence from the start of acoustic surveys, in 1989, to 2014. Since 2015, the abundance of anchovy in the Western Iberian margins has sharply increased and continues to show an increasing trend as of 2023. It is unclear if this increase is a result of dispersal from nearby recruitment areas, higher survival rates of early life stages due to favorable environmental conditions, or both. We used a set of different models to simulate the dispersion and survival of anchovy early life stages in the Iberian region for the years preceding the increase in anchovy abundance. An ocean model simulation with the model CROCO provided the fields used as background for Lagrangian simulations coupled to an individual-based model of anchovy eggs and larvae. We simulated the years 2013-2015, and the results show that in 2014 and 2015, anomalous upper-ocean circulation patterns with strong and persistent eastward currents transported a large number of eggs and larvae from the Bay of Biscay (BoB) eastward along the Northern Iberian margin. The maximum transport occurred in June and July 2015, when 8 and 4%, respectively, of the eggs spawned in the BoB potentially reached the Iberian west coast as larvae. This process might explain the increase in anchovy abundance in the Western Iberian ecosystem. The results of the study show that episodes of anomalous intense ocean currents, when coincident with high presence of eggs, can lead to the colonization of new areas, and connectivity between areas varies dramatically with time.