Abstract This article is an autoethnographic essay on the challenges of conducting participant observation in times of crises, both on a personal and on a national level. To summarize, I trace the evolution of my own personal research itinerary, which focuses on Beirut's leisure and clubbing scene during the internal political turmoil in Lebanon and, later on, the 2024 war with Israel. Finally, I examine the impact of these events on my very ability to conduct research, how they affected my relationship to the field and, ultimately, the decisions I needed to make. In conclusion, this essay adds to a growing body of research on ethnography in dangerous times and places: what becomes of research when research becomes impossible?

The study compares two ways of motivating students to learn Spanish as a Foreign Language: using songs to motivate students as compared to the traditional method of philological instruction. The study is hinged on the Affective Filter Hypothesis in Steven Krashen (1982; 1), by which negative emotions, such as stress, anxiety, boredom, and lack of motivation, create a psychological (affective) filter reducing a student’s ability to absorb comprehensible input. Songs can achieve a weak affective filter for promoting language learning. The songs selected are from Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic because of the close cultural similarity and the attractive reggaeton rhythm, according to the students’ pretest information. For the Sample size, second year Spanish Beginners’ Class was divided into two groups: in 1, the experimental group, the students listened to one song for the first lesson in the week, and in 2, the control group, the traditional instruction, with no songs, was followed over a period of 16 weeks (1 semester) duration at Makerere University. Data collection methods employed were class observations and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). At the end, both groups did a post-test to show their interest in language learning, the best classroom activities to explore, and motivation. The findings indicated higher scores for those students who listened to and used songs. They had confidence and were more interested in personal research, and expressed very positive opinions about the methodology of using songs in class. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that when Latin American songs are integrated into Spanish learning, they motivate students’ commitment to learning a foreign language.

Aim:Two fixed-dose combination triple therapies, budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate dihydrate (BGF) 320/14.4/10 μg and fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) 100/62.5/25 μg, have been shown to reduce all-cause mortality in phase III trials. A recent matching-adjusted indirect comparison showed greater mortality reduction with BGF versus FF/UMEC/VI. However, the comparative cost-effectiveness of these treatments remains unknown. This study aimed to use a cost-effectiveness model to compare BGF with FF/UMEC/VI in patients with moderate-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are eligible for triple therapy from a UK third-party payer perspective.Materials & methods:A cohort-based semi-Markov model was used with the natural progression of COPD defined by four lung function levels. Input parameters included participant characteristics and clinical efficacy parameters derived from the ETHOS and KRONOS trials, the UK general population and published literature. Unit costs were obtained from the UK National Health System Schedule of Reference Costs (2021/2022), the Personal Social Services Research Unit (2022) and published literature. Outputs included an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, costs, quality-adjusted life years and life years at time horizons of 1 and 5 years. Model inputs and assumptions were subject to deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity and scenario analyses.Results:At both 1- and 5-year time horizons, BGF was less costly (-£7.24 and -£23.03 per patient) and more effective (0.002 and 0.21 quality-adjusted life years per patient) versus FF/UMEC/VI, respectively. Due to a reduced mortality rate, more patients remained on BGF treatment than on FF/UMEC/VI, which induced higher treatment-related costs; however, the latter was offset by decreased end-of-life costs, as BGF avoided more deaths.Conclusion:BGF may improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs compared with FF/UMEC/VI in patients with moderate-to-very severe COPD in a UK setting.

Abstract This essay outlines a personal scientific journey in molecular ecology and evolution, with particular focus on marine fish and fisheries genetics. Along the way, opportunities were taken, challenges navigated, and various lessons learnt. From early studies of counting protein variants on gels (allozymes) to the adoption of high throughput genomics, personal research highlights are described, with some reference to wider advances in the field. Developments in high throughput sequencing technology enabled progressively more detailed analysis of population structure, connectivity, temporal and spatial trends in marine biodiversity, and exploration of gene function. While the focus here is on marine fishes, emphasis is placed on the value of a comparative evolutionary approach, with study of taxa differing in lifestyle, distribution and ecology. An optimistic tone is now possible linking science to policy, including for example, contributions of genetic tools to mixed-stock fisheries and real time management, forecasting the impacts of environmental change on marine biodiversity and resilience, and traceability of fish populations and products. Importantly, the benefits of genomic tools are quantifiable, both in terms of promoting sustainability of exploited resources, and impacts on economic gain from catches. Various underlying drivers underpinning translation of genetic and genomic outputs into policy are identified, including salient technological advances, increased communication between scientists and policy makers, and the escalating urgent need to monitor and forecast impacts of environmental change on marine biodiversity. Based on personal experience the aim here is to highlight facilitators and strategies to navigate the often-conflicting demands of academia and scientific research.

Application of deep learning-based track detection technique in neutron personal dose monitoring research

ABSTRACT Introduction The discovery of romosozumab, a monoclonal antibody to sclerostin and treatment option for severe osteoporosis, resulted from convergent genetic research of persons with rare hyperostotic bone diseases and the discovery of the Wnt-signaling pathway, a vital pathway in bone metabolism. Areas covered The authors provide an overview of the discovery of the SOST gene in humans and of Wnt signaling in animals, leading to the identification of sclerostin, a major regulator of bone formation and resorption. The authors further provide an overview of the studies that led to the development of romosozumab, a unique dual action monoclonal antibody that increases bone formation while decreasing bone resorption. Expert opinion In postmenopausal women, the administration of romosozumab over one year decreased the risk of vertebral and clinical fractures versus placebo and versus alendronate. Furthermore, sequential treatment, switching romosozumab over to denosumab, reduced the risk of vertebral fractures compared to switching the placebo to denosumab. Meanwhile, switching romosozumab to alendronate reduced the risk of vertebral, clinical, nonvertebral, and hip fractures compared to continuous alendronate. An imbalance in cardiovascular events was found when using romosozumab in comparison to alendronate but not versus placebo. Romosozumab was eventually approved by EMA and FDA in 2019 for the treatment of patients with very high risk of fractures while considering their cardiovascular risk and is available and reimbursed in many countries.

This study investigates the internal conflicts experienced by the main characters in Joe Penna’s Stowaway, focusing on Zoe Levenson, David, and Commander Bernadette. The research aims to identify the types of internal conflict and analyze how these conflicts influence character development and the narrative. Employing a qualitative method with observational techniques, the film was repeatedly viewed to record significant dialogues, expressions, and behaviors indicating inner struggles. Data were analyzed using Freud’s psychoanalytic theory (1923), Tajfel and Turner’s Social Identity Theory (1979), Kant's (1785) ethical perspectives from deontology and consequentialism. The findings reveal three main internal conflicts: Zoe’s moral dilemma between saving a life and ensuring crew safety, David’s struggle between personal research investment and collective survival, and Bernadette’s leadership responsibility versus self-sacrifice. These conflicts reflect the tension between moral values, professional identity, and survival instincts in an isolated environment. The study concludes that internal conflicts shape individual decision-making and drive the film’s emotional and ethical complexity.

The constructivist concept of Personal Meaning Organization (PMO), refined in the Adaptive Post-Rationalist (APR) framework, views personality as patterned meaning-making shaped by early attachment, yielding distinct organizations (controller, detached, contextualized, principle-oriented) with characteristic regulatory stances. Despite its clinical appeal and preliminary neurobiological evidence, PMO remains under-explored. We conducted an online survey of Italian adults assessing emotion regulation, subjective happiness, mental well-being, health-related quality of life, and PMOs. This study aimed to characterize PMO using standardized measures and network analysis to explore the intricate interplay between this construct and variables related to individual well-being. Findings showed that the Detached and Contextualized profiles were associated with emotional suppression, lower quality of life, and higher anxiety, depression, and impairment. Conversely, the Principle-oriented PMO was linked to greater happiness, frequent use of reappraisal, and no functional impairment. Network analysis highlighted mental well-being and anxiety/depression as central variables, underscoring their key role in the psychological system. The Controller PMO showed the highest expected influence, suggesting strong regulatory power. This is the first study to apply network analysis to the MQPO scale and to integrate the APR framework in assessing psychological functioning, offering novel insights for personality and mental health research.

Animal personalities are characterized by within-individual consistency linked to among-individual variability. Personality expression is often dependent on major life history events such as mating and the onset of reproduction. Here, we hypothesized that in facultatively polyandrous animals, multiple mating increases the females' assets (i.e., residual reproductive value - RRV), due to direct and/or indirect benefits. Based on the predictions of the asset protection principle, higher RRV should promote behaviors that reduce the risk of fitness loss and hence mediate behavioral repeatability displayed in groups. We tested our hypothesis in group-living predatory mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis. Predatory mite females were presented with one or two mates, and their postmating repeatability in activity and sociability was evaluated in groups composed of females of the same and mixed mating types. Mating frequency had little effect on activity patterns but pronounced effects on sociability traits. Polyandrous females were on average more sociable as well as more repeatable in sociability than monandrous females. These behavioral shifts reflect strategies to mitigate inter-individual conflicts within groups to enhance asset protection. Our study suggests that the mating frequency can critically influence female personality expression after mating and highlights the importance of considering mate-related variables in animal personality research.

Animals adjust their behavior in response to physiological states to optimize the trade-off between energy acquisition and survival. A key question in animal personality research is whether behavioral variation is driven by consistent physiological state differences or stable personality traits. This study evaluates boldness and shoal size discrimination in adult male zebrafish (Danio rerio) across three hunger states: same-day feeding (H0), 24-hr food deprivation (H1) and 48-hr food deprivation (H2). Behavioral assessments were conducted over two testing cycles, with each individual undergoing every test twice for each hunger state within each cycle. The assays comprised an open field test (OFT), emergence test (ET) and social preference test (SPT), with the SPT conducted under binary (4 vs 2 fish) and ternary (4 vs 2 vs 1 fish) choice conditions. Hunger significantly reduced emergence latency, but did not affect exploratory behavior in the OFT. Hunger also enhanced preference for larger shoals above chance in the binary SPT during the second testing cycle, though this effect was absent in ternary choices. Testing cycle effects revealed habituation-driven increase in boldness in both the tests and a progressive shift toward larger shoal preferences in the binary SPT. Among all assays, only the OFT showed significant repeatability, making it a reliable measure of boldness. However, it did not show consistent individual differences in plasticity due to hunger. These results highlight the crucial role of labile physiological states, such as hunger and habituation, in driving behavioral variation and underscore the importance of designing studies that disentangle state-dependent behaviors from stable personality traits in animal personality research.

IntroductionAdvances in affective neuroscience have unraveled the neurobiological underpinnings of primary emotions, making them suitable candidates for molecular genetic research. The aim of this study was to perform an exploratory molecular genetic association analysis of primary emotions in humans.MethodsA total of 333 young adults (Mage = 21.96 years, SD = 2.48; 56.8% female) participated in this study. Participants were recruited predominantly from a local university using a community sampling procedure. Data were collected via an online questionnaire (1ka.si) which primarily included a validated measure of the primary emotions, specifically the (Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales – Brief) and demographic information. Participants provided informed consent prior to completing the survey, and responses were anonymized. Following the survey, participants provided buccal swabs and their DNA was genotyped for 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms across five genes relevant to KEGG pathways, including dopamine (COMT rs4680, rs165815), serotonin (TPH2 rs1843809, rs4290270, rs7305115, rs4570625), oxytocin (OXTR rs53576, rs968389, rs2268498), endogenous opioid (OPRM1 rs1799971, rs677830), and neurotrophic factor (BDNF rs6265, rs28722151, rs11030101).ResultsOur findings revealed several significant and nominally significant associations between genetic polymorphisms and primary emotions which showed a clear sex-specific pattern. In males, associations were found with the COMT and TPH2 polymorphisms. Specifically, COMT rs4680 was associated with ANGER and SADNESS, TPH2 rs1843809 with PLAY, rs7305115 with CARE, and rs4570625 with CARE and SADNESS. In females, the three BDNF polymorphisms were differentially associated with FEAR, SADNESS (rs28722151 and rs11030101), and ANGER (rs6265). In the total sample, interaction effects were also found between the two OPRM1 polymorphisms (rs1799971 and rs677830) with SADNESS and SEEKING.DiscussionOverall, the present study identified several novel candidate genes which might be related to primary emotions in a sample of young adults. Although our findings should be considered preliminary, they may have important implications for personality research as well as clinical practice.

Comparing Two Models for Counting Missing Persons: Implications for Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Research

Abstract This article explores the practical and material configurations of the ‘person(al)’ in experimental cancer immune therapy, where immune cells from the patient’s cancer tissue are used to eliminate incurable cancers. Drawing on ethnography from Denmark, we examine personal cancer immune therapy as a carefully steered practice—a choreography—through which tissues and cells originating from the same person are reconfigured in unpredictable ways. Cancer tissue, conventionally perceived as a dangerous ‘other’, holds the potential to act as a lifesaving ‘self’ in the form of a personal cure. Conversely, T-cells, conventionally perceived as protectors of the embodied ‘self’, can act as life-threatening ‘others’, endangering the person from whom they originated. We develop the notion of ‘choreographies of nearness’ to analyse how immunological and ontological relations are enacted in the clinical and experimental practices of personal cancer immune therapies. Tracing the execution of clinical protocols in ethnographic detail, we show that this emerging medical practice involves choreographies through which tissues and cells are enacted as neither strictly self nor other, but as ‘ near ’ the embodied person from whom they derive. Unpacking the potential of the ‘near self’, we expose the laborious and high-stakes ways of doing the ‘person(al)’ in this therapy.

This descriptive-correlational study utilizes the standardized Research and Development Framework (RDF) to assess the personal profiles of the 48 regular faculty of CBSUA-Sipocot alongside their knowledge and intellectual abilities, and personal effectiveness. This data is analyzed utilizing the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27; frequency count and percentage for personal profiling, mean and ranking for assessing research competence, and Kendall's Tau-b in determining the relationship between personal profiles and research competence because the gathered data is not normally distributed and has several ties rank (Lee, 2025). Out of the 34 non-mandated faculty (instructors and assistant professors), 13 research paper have been completed: seven are collaborative efforts, and five have been published, with two of the published works having been cited. On the other hand, 7 research papers - three collaborative and four published with one citation - have been completed by the 16 faculty members mandated (associate professor) to conduct research. Moreover, the 48 faculty members at CBSUA-Sipocot exhibit moderate level of Knowledge and Intellectual Capacity - Knowledge Base: 3.11, Cognitive Abilities: 3.20, and Creativity: 3.21 - and Personal Effectiveness - Personal Qualities: 3.19, Self-management: 3.17, and Professional and Career Development: 3.11. Finally, the positive significant correlation between the faculty’s profile and research competence – knowledge, creativity, and personal qualities - suggests provision of necessary training, activities, and programs that shall articulate research productivity while maintaining balance between work and leisure.

Comments on an article by D. S. Chester et al. (see record 2026-29451-001). Chester et al. raised objections to the use of the term "dark" for describing antagonistic traits, such as narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Their central claim is that "dark" is stigmatizing, sensationalistic, imprecise, and potentially problematic. While their concerns merit careful consideration, it is notable that the authors provide no scientific evidence to substantiate them. Here, the commentators defend the continued use of this terminology while providing bibliometric evidence demonstrating that the term "dark" has facilitated interdisciplinary scientific progress and helped consolidate a rapidly growing field of research. While Chester et al. highlight the term "dark" as imprecise because of its multiple meanings, its consistent use within personality research, as shown in bibliometric networks, suggests a shared scientific understanding that mitigates ambiguity when applied with conceptual consistency. Abandoning this label would risk fragmenting a field that has achieved rapid and cumulative progress under its unifying influence. Chester et al. caution that "dark" is sensationalistic and risks delegitimizing the study of antagonistic traits. We acknowledge that the term carries rhetorical power, but this feature can be seen as a strength rather than a flaw. Its accessibility has helped consolidate research on antagonistic traits and fostered interdisciplinary dialogue within psychology. Terms that resonate widely often catalyze scientific discourse; the challenge is not to discard them, but to apply them responsibly. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Geographical context influences the relationship between personality traits and Conservatism across the USA. Using data from the Synthetic Aperture Personality Assessment (SAPA) project, we analyzed 154,960 participants residing in 8,708 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) and found notable interactions between personality traits and local levels of Conservatism; such that, the relationship between individual-level personality traits and Conservatism was moderated by average local levels of Conservatism. That is, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Extraversion positively related, and Neuroticism negatively, to Conservatism in ZCTAs that were more conservative on average, while Agreeableness and Extraversion were more negatively related to individual-level Conservatism in less conservative ZCTAs. Ultimately, certain personality traits function to enable individuals to get along and get ahead in their socio-cultural environments, which highlights the importance of considering geographical context in personality research. Our results build on our previous research and suggest a need to consider Context Specific Personality Associations (CSPAs) when studying personality traits as they relate to ideologies and behaviors.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-21447-y.

The digital revolution is boosting innovations across our contemporary social life and culture with a strong impact in performing arts studies, creation and fruition. By exploiting augmented and virtual technologies and their cutting-edge applications, contemporary researchers, performers, composers and artists are spurred to renovate their traditional practices and creations, and overcome the boundaries of real stages towards virtual stages and extended reality (XR), where the physical encounters the digital. The possibility to be projected in the blended scenario of the extended reality (XR) and metaverse determines the avant-garde perspective of imagining music performance in hybrid stages where performers and audiences are involved in immersive and intriguing phygital experiences.This exposition wants to present and discuss what the investigation on augmented and virtual reality in artistic research in music entails, and how and why to create a XR music performance in the metaverse. The focus will be on my personal artistic research experience in the creation of a phygital piano performance "MetaPhase: A contrapuntal dialogue between a pianist and her avatar in the metaverse".<style>/* rules to make button only show up in META */.download-accessible { display:none;}.meta-right-col .download-accessible { display: inline-block; padding: 9px; margin-bottom:25px; border: 1px solid black; background-color:white;}</style><a class="download-accessible" href="/profile/download-media?work=3955500&file=3955519" title="This accessible PDF is a derivative of the original which it is meant to support and not replace.">Download Accessible PDF</a></span> keywords: metaverse, piano performance, artistic research, embodiment, hybrid stages, XR performance, AR & VR technologies

SummaryWhile animal personality research is expanding, methods used to assess personality traits of free-ranging animals are often unreliable or report mixed results in the validation process. One potential reason is inadequate implementation of methods used for captive animals to wild populations. In this study we assessed cross-context validity of human- and conspecific-directed sociability, exploration, and aggression in a free-ranging dog population, with measures obtained from experimental testing and naturalistic observations. We found strong agreement between the two methods for human-directed sociability and exploration, supporting their validity. Although conspecific-sociability showed limited associations, initial reactions to other dogs during the test was linked to conspecific proximity during observations. Aggression occurred rarely, hence was not evaluated. Our results show that robust personality assessments are possible in free-ranging dogs, even in challenging field environments, paving the way for future studies, to advance our understanding of the species’ behavioral ecology.

Cybercrime has emerged as a pervasive and escalating challenge in Nigeria's banking industry, driven by the nation's increasing reliance on digital technologies. This study addressed critical gaps in understanding how cybercrimes impact bank performance, while also exploring the moderating roles of financial technology literacy interventions. The specific objective of this study is aimed to investigate the roles of financial technology (fin-tech) literacy interventions. The situational crime control theory was adopted. A descriptive survey research design was utilized, and the study's target population included bank employees and customers in Cross River State. The Godden formula for determining sample size in an infinite population was used in deriving a sample size of 384 respondents. Data were collected through questionnaire administered via personal contact, online methods (Google docs), and research assistants. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Version 29. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and Generalized Linear Model Multivariate Regression Analysis were employed to test the study hypotheses. The study revealed that financial technology literacy interventions, demonstrated a moderating effect reducing the negative impact of cybercrime on bank performance. Based on these findings, several recommendations were proposed. Financial institutions should prioritize cyber security measures and invest in financial technology literacy programmes for both employees and customers. Additionally, fostering collaborations with fin-tech companies can provide access to cutting-edge cyber security technologies and expertise.

ImportanceAlthough suicide attempt is the most robust estimator of suicide death, few individuals who attempt it go on to die by suicide (<10%), and approximately 50% of suicide deaths occur in the absence of evidence of prior attempts. The risks are particularly poorly understood in this group.ObjectiveTo study underlying polygenic liabilities among suicide deaths without evidence of prior nonfatal suicidality (SD-N) compared with suicide deaths with prior suicidality (SD-S), testing prior results showing significantly lower clinical risks of neuropsychiatric traits in SD-N vs SD-S.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this cohort study, polygenic scores (PGS) were computed using summary statistics from 12 published source studies, then compared across SD-N and SD-S groups taken from the Utah Suicide Mortality Research Study (cases accrued between December 1998 and October 2022). PGS from the suicide death cohorts were also compared to unselected population controls. Evidence of prior suicidality was determined from diagnoses and clinical notes.Main Outcomes and MeasuresCohort differences in PGS reflecting neuropsychiatric conditions were tested using analysis of covariance, adjusting for sex, age, and genetic ancestry, followed by additional analyses within sex and within subgroups defined by age at death (50 years or younger vs older than 50 years). PGS spanned 12 neuropsychiatric conditions. Data were analyzed between July 2024 and July 2025.ResultsThe SD-N cohort (n = 1337) had significantly more male suicide deaths (1105 [82.65%] vs 974 [67.95%]), with an older mean (SD) age at death (47.5 [18.9] vs 41.4 [15.6] years) than the SD-S cohort (n = 1432). The control cohort (n = 19 499) had significantly fewer males (8597 [44.09%]) than both suicide death subsets. Genetic ancestry was similar across the SD-N and SD-S groups (96.77% and 96.81% European ancestry), and control (97.38% European ancestry) groups. Socioeconomic status was not significantly different across suicide cohorts adjusted for age and sex (occupation ranking SD-N mean [SD], 57.16 [24.54]; SD-S mean [SD], 54.72 [25.29]; t = 1.30; P = .70; maximum education SD-N mean [SD], 2.70 [1.12]; SD-S mean [SD], 2.67 [1.13]; Fisher exact test P = .38). Comparing SD-N to SD-S revealed significantly lower (false discovery rate P < .05) PGS in the SD-N group for major depressive disorder (adjusted mean difference, 0.085 [95% CI, 0.018-0.152]; P = .01), depressed affect (adjusted mean difference, 0.081 [95% CI, 0.012-0.149]; P = .02), anxiety (adjusted mean difference, 0.091 [95% CI, 0.021-0.161]; P = .01), neuroticism (adjusted mean difference, 0.102 [95% CI, 0.033-0.171]; P = .004), and Alzheimer disease (adjusted mean difference, 0.090 [95% CI, 0.021-0.1658]; P = .01), and lower (false discovery rate P < .10) PGS in SD-N for posttraumatic stress disorder (adjusted mean difference, 0.070 [95% CI, 0.001-0.139]; P = .04). Of note, SD-N PGS were not significantly different from controls for depressed affect (adjusted mean difference, 0.037 [95% CI, −0.019 to 0.093]), neuroticism (adjusted mean difference, −0.001 [95% CI, −0.057 to 0.055]), or Alzheimer disease (adjusted mean difference, −0.027 [95% CI, −0.083 to 0.029]).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cohort study, SD-N showed significantly different genetic liabilities to neuropsychiatric conditions from SD-S. Results have implications for future suicide research and prevention for persons at risk of mortality.