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There is a growing evidence base that identifying positive experiences in providing care can have a beneficial influence on carer wellbeing. However, there is a need to better understand what carers identify as the positive aspects of care-giving. The aim of this study is to explore the satisfying aspects of providing care to people with dementia. This study utilised Time 1 data from 1,277 carers of people in the mild-to-moderate stages of dementia taking part in the IDEAL (Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life) cohort study. Responses from 900 carers who answered the open-ended question 'What is your greatest satisfaction in caring for your relative/friend?' were analysed using thematic analysis. From the responses, 839 carers detailed satisfactions. Eight themes were identified, pertaining to three groups of beneficiaries: carers, people with dementia and the dyad. Perceived benefits for carers included identifying aspects of personal growth, seeing glimpses of the person, feeling they were making a difference and doing their duty. For the person with dementia, these included retaining independence, receiving good quality care and being happy. Dyadic benefits concerned the continuation of the relationship between carer and person with dementia. The findings highlight the need to take a dyadic approach when conceptualising positive experiences in providing care. Further research is needed to understand the role these positive experiences play and to develop interventions. Professionals working with carers should identify and validate these experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Human decision-making pertaining to gains compared to those pertaining losses is shown to be quite different. However, mixed evidence is provided regarding the effect on the decision-makers' prosocial behaviors; that is, losses are shown to either increase or decrease prosocial behaviors. In this context, the effect of social norms on observed behavior can play a crucial role. Methods: To examine this aspect in more detail, we conducted incentivized ultimatum game experiments and analyzed data from three treatments, the control treatments (without specific norm focus), and two different norm-focus treatments (“average behavior” treatment and “self-interested behavior” treatment). In total, 550 participants took part in our experiment. Basically, we found no significant difference between the division of gains and losses in the “control” and “self-interested behavior” treatments. Results and discussion: However, we found such a difference in the “average behavior” treatment. In addition, we found that inducing a norm focus leads to less variance in proposers' behavior and a greater concentration of their demands around the induced norm in the “average behavior” treatment. In contrast, we found a higher variance in proposers' behavior in the “self-interested behavior” treatment. In terms of responders' behaviors, we observed a tendency toward a higher frequency of responders' rejections in the loss domain compared to the gains domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigated the productivity of piglets and the efficiency of their rearing in relation to the type of feed preparation and the type of feeding, and the influence of these factors on growth intensity, piglet survival rate, feed costs and feed costs for rearing a piglet on farms in the Kingdom of Denmark, using data from the consultancy Svine Rådgivningen's open source evaluation analysis of DB-Tjek pig farms for 2021. It was found that preparing feed from own raw materials in the farms' capacities had no influence on the growth intensity of piglets during rearing and feed conversion during this period. At the same time, these farms had 9.15% lower costs per 1 kg of piglet growth, which contributed to a 1.05% reduction in the cost of a piglet at the end of rearing compared to farms feeding piglets exclusively with purchased feed. It was shown that the growth intensity of piglets did not depend on the feeding method, while liquid feeding contributed to a 4.99% improvement in feed conversion, resulting in a 3.03% reduction in the share of feed costs in the rearing of 1 animal. In addition, liquid feeding enabled a 0.67% reduction in the proportion of veterinary costs per animal. The feeding method was found to have a probable influence on the preservation of the piglets and the conversion of the feed during their rearing, but no significant influence on the intensity of the animals' growth and the feed costs of their rearing. At the same time, the method of feed preparation had no significant influence on any of the indicators studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the consumption and increasing the efficiency of the use of feed, obtaining maximum egg productivity is ensured by a high level of balanced feeding with various feed additives. Therefore, the research work aimed to study the effect of mineral feed additives on the egg productivity of laying hens of the Loman Brown cross. During the experiment, the control group of laying hens consumed the basic ration (BR) – complete combined feed. In feeding the research group, a mineral selenium-containing feed additive was used with the main diet. Selenium in the feed additive is contained in organic form, selenomethionine and selenocystin. Unlike inorganic forms, selenoamino acids can be transported and metabolized in the body to build amino acids. According to the results of the experiment, it was found that when feeding mineral feed additive, there was an increase in the gross collection of eggs in laying hens of the 2nd group by 12.7 % (Р ≥ 0.01) and a decrease in feed consumption by 10 pcs. eggs by 9.0 %, relative to the control group. In addition, there is a tendency to increase the laying rate per average laying hen by 9.5 % and the laying intensity by 3.9 %. With the additional use of the mineral feed additive by laying hens of the 2nd group, the mass of eggs increases by 5.3 % (Р < 0.05), the height of the yolk by 25.0 % (Р < 0.05), and the yolk index by 0.06 % (P < 0.01) versus the control value. It was established that the use of mineral supplements by laying hens of the 2nd group increases live weight by 5.1 % (Р ≤ 0.05), absolute gain by 12.3 % (Р ≤ 0.01), pre-slaughter live weight by 5.7 % (Р ≤ 0.05), the weight of the semi-cartridge by 4.3 % (Р ≤ 0.05) and the weight of the carcass by 11.5 % (Р ≤ 0.01) against the reference indicator. Under the influence of the mineral feed additive in the 2nd group of laying hens, the survival rate of the flock increased by 3.0 % compared to the control analogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of increasing the productivity of agricultural poultry depends on the extent to which production technologies enable the realization of its genetic potential. The experiment aimed to study the effect of a mineral feed additive containing copper on productivity, growth, and feed consumption in broiler chickens. The scientific and economic experiment was conducted in the conditions of the Vinnytsia National Agrarian University vivarium. For the experiment, 40 broiler chickens of the “Ross-308” cross were selected, and two analog groups of 20 heads each were formed. The experiment lasted 42 days. During the experiment, the broilers of the 1st control group consumed a completely balanced feed. In addition to the diet of the research group, the researched mineral feed supplement was added. Broiler chickens were weighed every week to determine the intensity of growth. According to the results of the experiment, it was established that additional feeding of a mineral feed additive to broiler chickens of the 2nd group increases live weight at 21 days of age by 4.6 % (Р ≤ 0.05), at 28 days of age by 7.1 % (Р ≤ 0.01) in 35 days by 9.5 % (Р ≤ 0.001) and in 42 days by 9.4 % (Р ≤ 0.001), against the control. It was found that with the use of a mineral additive in broilers of the 2nd group, feed consumption per 1 kg of growth is reduced by 7.8 %, compared to the control value. Additional consumption of the researched mineral feed additive in broiler chickens of the 2nd group increases the pre-slaughter live weight by 8.9 %, the weight of non-carcasses by 9.7 % (Р ≤ 0.001), half-carcasses by 10.8 % (Р ≤ 0.01) and patranoi by 13.0 % (Р ≤ 0.001), relative to the control. Feeding the mineral supplement to broilers of the 2nd group increases the mass of pectoral muscles by 9.2 % and thigh muscles by 10.8 % (Р ≤ 0.01), against the control indicator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This topic covers a wide range of aspects, including improving the genetic potential of animals through industrial crossbreeding, ensuring optimal housing conditions, and developing technologies for efficient use of the energy generated by these animals. Modern methods of industrial crossbreeding are determined by strategic plans to improve the genetic pool of animals to obtain more productive and disease-resistant offspring. Using advanced genetic technologies and modern breeding methods enhances product quality and ensures resistance to adverse factors. Considering the physiological needs of different breeds, providing appropriate nutrition and maintenance following current standards helps maintain high productivity and ensure the harmonious development of animals. In obtaining additional energy carriers, the latest technologies for using livestock waste in biogas, compost, and other energy resources are being studied. This contributes not only to the improvement of the environmental sustainability of farms but also to the use of internal resources for additional energy production. Summing up, modern approaches to the use of industrial crossing, housing conditions, and obtaining other energy carriers help solve complex tasks in animal husbandry, providing an optimal balance between productivity, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. It was established that the dynamics of live weight gains were more incredible in ½ Charolais steers when kept on deep litter, and on average up to 15 months, the average daily gains amounted to 947.9 g per day, and in purebreds under box keeping – 815.9 g; the absolute gains in live weight of purebred bulls of the Ukrainian black-spotted dairy breed, when kept in boxes for up to 15 months, reached 367.1 kg, which is 16.18 % less than that of ½ Charolais bulls when kept on deep bedding, with a probable difference of Р < 0.001. Innovative approaches to the use of the effect of heterosis and the conditions of keeping overrepair bulls in the production of beef have positive results, where ½ Charolais crossbreeds in conditions of keeping on deep bedding reach 453.9 kg by the age of 15 months, and their purebred counterparts – 406.7 kg, with a probable difference of P < 0.001. The results of the economic efficiency of the use of industrial crossbreeding, keeping conditions of purebred and crossbred bulls, show additional profits per head of 1,468.8 UAH ½ Charolais (maintenance on deep litter) and an increase in the level of profitability by 34.40 % compared to purebred Ukrainian black and white bulls dairy breed (maintenance boxing). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionHuman decision-making pertaining to gains compared to those pertaining losses is shown to be quite different. However, mixed evidence is provided regarding the effect on the decision-makers' prosocial behaviors; that is, losses are shown to either increase or decrease prosocial behaviors. In this context, the effect of social norms on observed behavior can play a crucial role.MethodsTo examine this aspect in more detail, we conducted incentivized ultimatum game experiments and analyzed data from three treatments, the control treatments (without specific norm focus), and two different norm-focus treatments (“average behavior” treatment and “self-interested behavior” treatment). In total, 550 participants took part in our experiment. Basically, we found no significant difference between the division of gains and losses in the “control” and “self-interested behavior” treatments.Results and discussionHowever, we found such a difference in the “average behavior” treatment. In addition, we found that inducing a norm focus leads to less variance in proposers' behavior and a greater concentration of their demands around the induced norm in the “average behavior” treatment. In contrast, we found a higher variance in proposers' behavior in the “self-interested behavior” treatment. In terms of responders' behaviors, we observed a tendency toward a higher frequency of responders' rejections in the loss domain compared to the gains domain.

The Gothenburg Protocol (Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone) was first established in 1999 to support the enactment of the 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. The Executive Body launched a review in December 2019 which was concluded in December 2022. In order to support the review and contribute to the assessment of the remaining risks for health, ecosystems and crops, model calculations have been performed on 2015, 2030 and 2050 emission scenarios which include both baseline and maximum technical feasible reduction (MFR) scenarios. The uEMEP/EMEP MSC-W modelling system has been applied for these calculations. uEMEP is a downscaling module for the EMEP MSC-W model that allows high resolution calculations, at 250 m for exposure, to be made. In this paper we document the input data, the model setup and present the calculated concentrations, exposure and source contributions based on emission scenario input from CIAM (Center for Integrated Assessment Modelling). The focus of this paper is on annual mean PM 2.5 and NO 2 at both existing monitoring sites and for population exposure in general. A comparison between three regions, namely the EU27+EFTA+UK, the Western Balkan, and EECCA countries is made. Comparison of current and future exposure to the WHO Guideline and Interim Target levels is also made. These 3 regions showed different exposure levels and different future trends. By 2030 the Baseline scenario indicates that 75% of the EU population will still be exposed to PM 2.5 levels above 5 μ g m−3. However, this number is reduced to 40% in the 2050 Baseline calculation. The additional implementation of MFR in 2050 will reduce this further to just 14% of the population with exposure in excess of 5 μ g m−3. In this scenario, there is less than 1% of the population exposed to PM 2.5 levels above 10 μ g m−3. For the Western Balkan and EECCA countries, the baseline scenario shows much less improvement in the PM 2.5 levels. It is only with the implementation of MFR that significant improvement in these countries can be attained. The EECCA countries are limited in achieving lower concentration levels by high source contributions from wind blown dust. For NO 2 , all scenarios in 2050 showed that less than 2% of the EU population are still exposed above the WHO Guideline of 10 μ g m−3, while this share is 21% for the Western Balkan. For the 2050 baseline, the EECCA countries showed an increase in NO 2 concentrations compared to 2015, with about 50% of the population being exposed to above 10 μ g m−3 and still with 13% of the population (33 million inhabitants) above 40 μ g m−3. It is only with the implementation of MFR that NO 2 concentrations approach, but do not achieve, the WHO Guideline levels. • Emission scenarios have been developed for the Gothenburg protocol review. • The EU, Western Balkans and EECCA countries have been modelled. • Scenarios have been modelled at a resolution of 250 m for all three regions. • By 2050 14% of the EU are exposed above the PM 2.5 WHO Guideline of 5 μ g/m3. • Western Balkan and EECCA countries show much less improvement in PM 2.5 levels. • By 2050 2% of the EU are exposed above the NO 2 WHO guideline of 10 μ g/m3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional scale air quality and integrated assessment models are necessarily limited in their spatial resolution, particularly when applied to larger regions such as Europe or for global applications. The EMEP MSC-W chemical transport model and the GAINS integrated assessment model, which makes use of source receptor information precalculated by the EMEP MSC-W model, use resolutions of 0.1 ° × 0. 1 ° and 0.3 ° × 0. 2 °. These resolutions cannot account for variability at finer scales. Variability within grids, both concentration and population distributions, can be significant. To improve exposure calculations that take into account the sub-grid variability, the uEMEP model has been applied in this study to provide suitable parameterisations of the sub-grid variability within an EMEP MSC-W grid. The uEMEP model is applied on a European domain at 250 × 250 m 2. This provides roughly 7000 sub-grids within each EMEP MSC-W 0.3 ° × 0. 2 ° grid to analyse the sub-grid variability in exposure. The analysis derives an exposure correction factor (ECF) for each source sector in each EMEP MSC-W grid. This factor provides information on the impact of sub-grid resolution on the population weighted concentrations within each grid. The population weighted standard deviation is also calculated, providing information on sub-grid variability to derive frequency distributions and parameterised forms of the sub-grid variability suitable for health risk assessments. The impact of sub-grid variability is assessed for the pollutants PM 2.5 , NO X and NO 2. For NO 2 , additional chemistry calculations are carried out on the NO X frequency distributions. We show that the parameterised form of the sub-grid variability provides close to equivalent results as the original uEMEP calculations. Exposure to PM 2.5 increases by around 13% when the sub-grid variability is taken into account for a 2030 emission scenario. For NO 2 , this increase is around 31% for the same scenario. A similar increase is found in the health risk indicator 'population attributable fraction' when no lower concentration threshold is used in the concentration–response function. When applying the World Health Organizations recommended threshold value we find that including the sub-grid variability increases the calculated population attributable fraction by 32% and 46% for PM 2.5 and NO 2 respectively. We conclude that sub-grid variability should be taken into account in future exposure calculations for regional scale modelling and impact assessments. • Sub-grid variability of regional scale air quality models is assessed. • Parameterised forms of the sub-grid variability are developed. • Sub-grid variability has a significant impact on exposure. • Sub-grid variability has a significant impact on health outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across the lifespan, goals change in response to developmental changes in opportunities and demands, but they also bring about developmental changes regarding the acquisition of skills and resources. Generally, developing (selection), pursuing (optimization), and maintaining goals in the face of losses (compensation) contributes to successful development across the lifespan and to healthy aging in particular. Goals are dynamic; their content changes in sync with developmental goals. Moreover, there is a marked shift from a predominant orientation towards achieving gains in young adulthood and an increasingly stronger orientation towards maintenance and the avoidance of losses in older adulthood, reflecting increases in losses in various domains of functioning across adulthood. This shift in goal orientation appears to be adaptive in that older (but not younger) adults report higher well-being, are more persistent, and perform better when pursuing goals geared towards maintenance and loss-avoidance., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The author is a Guest Editor for Current Opinion in Psychology and was not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)