Pension Fund for Care and Well-Being

This article considers the impact of ethnic dynamics and electoral systems in the December 2023 elections in the Iraqi province of Kirkuk, where long-standing tensions between Kurdish, Arab, and Turkmen populations were the main influences in the political landscape. The adoption of an ‘open list’ electoral system and the rise of independent candidates from various ethnic groups marked a key turning point. The effects of these changes both increased voter participation and resulted in a fragmented outcome that required coalition-building. The study suggests that reforms in institutions and civic education have facilitated inter-ethnic cooperation and created more effective governance in Kirkuk. The article concludes by suggesting that the historic power struggle between different groups in Kirkuk could gradually develop into a more effective political process that encourages collaboration.

The cover image is based on the article In Situ Surface Exsolution of Chang'e-5 Lunar Soil Architected by the Trinity Effect of Electron Beam by Wei Zhang et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/jemt.24738.

Due to complex interactions, changes in any one area of food systems are likely to impact—and possibly depend on—changes in other areas. Here we present the first annual monitoring update of the indicator framework proposed by the Food Systems Countdown Initiative, with new qualitative analysis elucidating interactions across indicators. Since 2000, we find that 20 of 42 indicators with time series have been trending in a desirable direction, indicating modest positive change. Qualitative expert elicitation assessed governance and resilience indicators to be most connected to other indicators across themes, highlighting entry points for action—particularly governance action. Literature review and country case studies add context to the assessed interactions across diets, environment, livelihoods, governance and resilience indicators, helping different actors understand and navigate food systems towards desirable change.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants. RSV bronchiolitis is associated with an increased risk of subsequent wheezing. We aimed to document the parents' perception of the link between RSV infection and subsequent wheezing, wheezing-related healthcare and family resources use, and its impact on family daily life. This cross-sectional online survey enrolled 1200 parents with at least one child ≤6y living in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy. Children diagnosed with RSV bronchiolitis before age of 2 years were included in the RSV group, and those never diagnosed with RSV bronchiolitis in the Reference group. The odds of wheezing were 4.5-fold (95%CI 3.5-5.9) higher in the RSV than in the Reference group. The odds increased to 7.7-fold (95%CI 5.4-11.1) among children who were hospitalized, and 9-fold (95%CI 5.1-16.6) among those admitted to pediatric intensive care with RSV bronchiolitis. Similar trends were observed across all countries. In total, 57% of parents reported their child's wheezing to have moderate to severe impact on their emotional well-being, and 53% on their daily life activities and/or social life. 64% of parents reported moderate-severe impact of wheezing on child's quality of sleep and 49% and 46% reported a moderate-severe impact on their children's emotional well-being and physical activities. This survey suggests an association between RSV infection and subsequent wheezing in children across different countries. Wheezing, especially in association with RSV infection, was associated with increased healthcare utilization and costs, and significantly impacted parents' and children daily life.

Two pluripapillose semilimbate species of Fissidens, the East African F. ferrugineus and the wide-spread African F. schweinfurthii are for the first time recorded from the Republic of South Africa.

Round table discussion in which the different perspectives of the implementation of integrated working are discussed from different practical examples.

Accelerated mortality phenomena (post-)covid-19 contamination is a process that could play a pivotal role in the next decades, as well [1,2]. According to a study, people who had COVID- 19 faced substantially increased risks for 20 different cardiovascular conditions, including potentially catastrophic problems such as heart attacks and strokes, in the year after infection with the COVID-19 variants.