University of Kent

This study develops a conceptual framework to theorise how digitally augmented Communities of Practice (CoPs), such as the Slow Food Movement, can support sustainable food systems transformation through advanced knowledge management. Although digital innovation is increasingly applied in agri-food systems, much of the literature remains technocentric, focusing on infrastructure and automation, while overlooking how digital tools mediate community-based knowledge flows and adaptive capabilities. Addressing this gap, we integrate Nonaka and Takeuchi's SECI model with Teece's dynamic capabilities framework to examine how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Metaverse technologies enable CoPs to create, share, and transform knowledge. The main contribution is the DEKA-CoPs model (Digitally Enabled Knowledge Architecture in Communities of Practice), which explains how digital mediation can enhance epistemic agility, collaborative innovation, and system adaptability. Methodologically, the paper uses a theory-building approach to develop four propositions that can guide future empirical work. This framework advances knowledge management and sustainability literature by shifting the focus from firm-based innovation to digitally enabled, community-led knowledge infrastructures. It offers practical implications for policymakers, technologists, and sustainability practitioners interested in designing inclusive, adaptive platforms that embed local knowledge in agri-food transitions. • Theorisation of digitally-enabled communities of practice by merging SECI and dynamic capabilities frameworks. • Unified model for innovation knowledge architecture for digital communities of practice in sustainable food systems. • AI and Metaverse as participatory epistemologies for sustainable food system innovation. • AI and Metaverse's role in inclusive, community-led agrifood system innovation. • Conceptualisation of digitally-enabled communities of practice as knowledge architectures.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most frequently detected microsporidian in humans and infects a wide range of animals. Data integrating human, animal, and environmental compartments under a One Health framework remains scarce. We conducted a molecular survey in a rural area of Adana Province, south-central Türkiye (October–November 2023). A total of 394 samples were screened, including stool from apparently healthy individuals (n = 124) from 64 households and livestock such as cattle (n = 75), sheep (n = 95), goats (n = 60) and environmental samples (lake water, n = 24; mud, n = 16). Detection and genotyping targeted the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region by nested PCR and Sanger sequencing. No human or environmental samples were positive, this result may be influenced by sampling limitations, seasonality, and methodological sensitivity rather than reflecting true absence. Overall E. bieneusi prevalence in livestock was 5.2% (12/230; 95% CI, 2.6–8.6). By host, prevalence was 8.4% in sheep (8/95; 95% CI, 3.7–15.9), 3.3% in goats (2/60; 95% CI, 0.4–11.5), and 2.7% in cattle (2/75; 95% CI, 0.3–9.3); differences were not statistically significant. Sequence analysis identified three known genotypes: BEB6 (6/12), J (1/12), and Type IV (1/12), and two novel genotypes (ShTrEb1, ShTrEb2; 2/12 each). J and Type IV were restricted to cattle; BEB6 and ShTrEb1 occurred in sheep and goats; ShTrEb2 was detected only in sheep. Phylogenetic analysis placed Type IV in Group 1 and BEB6, J, ShTrEb1, and ShTrEb2 in Group 2. Although humans and environmental matrices tested negative in this study, the detection of genotypes in livestock should be interpreted carefully and highlights the need for further studies to clarify potential transmission pathways. Larger, seasonally stratified surveys with standardized environmental methods are warranted to better understand regional transmission dynamics.

ABSTRACT This study examines how various money attitudes and demographic factors influence individuals' stated likelihood and intended estate share for a charitable bequest in a future will. Principal components analysis of U.S. survey responses to 29 items capturing money‐related attitudes identified four key money‐attitude factors: Money‐as‐Status, Financial‐Anxiety, Financial‐Planning, and Bargain‐Seeking. Regression analyses revealed that Financial‐Planning and Bargain‐Seeking related positively to the likelihood of leaving a charitable estate gift, whereas Money‐as‐Status significantly predicted the percentage share of the estate allocated to charity. Additional demographics, especially having no children, further explained increased intentions to give. The money‐attitude dimensions that guide charitable bequest participation intentions differ from those that guide charitable bequest magnitude intentions. This provides important implications for understanding effective legacy giving communications. For example, emphasizing tax benefits may appeal to Bargain‐Seeking attitudes and has also proven empirically effective. Emphasizing financial, retirement, and tax planning oriented charitable options may appeal to Financial‐Planning attitudes. Finally, the common features of very large estate gifts (e.g., named endowments and foundations) match with appeals to Money‐as‐Status attitudes. These findings can help nonprofit professionals design targeted strategies to increase charitable giving from estates.

The DUF4465 family (DUF, domain of unknown function) contains more than 1000 members distributed across eight bacterial clades with species from diverse microenvironments including various gut microbiomes, hydrothermal vents, and soil. In the gut commensal Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (B. theta), DUF4465 containing proteins act as high-affinity B12-binding proteins that scavenge this cofactor to ensure bacterial survival. Such B12 capture is essential for bacteria that have lost the ability to synthesize B12 de novo. This raises the question of whether B12-binding is ubiquitous across this family of proteins. Here, we show that B12-binding is a recurrent function of eight distantly related members of the DUF4465 family. It is reasonable to conclude that B12-binding is a common function of most DUF4465 proteins. These results establish DUF4465 as a structurally conserved family of augmented β-jellyroll B12-binding proteins with widespread roles in microbial competition for this essential cofactor. Impact statement DUF4465 defines a widespread, structurally conserved bacterial cobalamin-binding domain and provides a promising scaffold for protein-based B12 capture and purification.

Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Over the last five decades, the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar has suffered marked population declines across its distribution, attributed inter alia to overfishing, barriers to migration, climate change, aquaculture, and pollution. Conservation measures have been implemented to protect and recover this species, but little improvement in its population status has been observed. Here, we used population monitoring data to estimate the abundance of Atlantic salmon originating from the River Frome in southern England. Subsequently, juvenile (parr-to-smolt) freshwater and adult marine (smolt-to-adult) survival estimates were used to understand associations with environmental and anthropogenic factors. Annual Atlantic salmon trapping and tagging data containing more than 148,000 juveniles were analysed from 2012 to 2024. Over the study period, juvenile freshwater survival varied without a significant temporal trend, whilst marine survival decreased. Annual juvenile freshwater survival rates ranged from 7.2% to 18.3% (mean 11.6%), with their between-year variation explained by mean winter river discharge (40%). In contrast, smolt-to-one- and two-sea-winter adult marine survival rates were significantly lower, varying between 0.4% and 6.1% (mean 2.2%). Sea ice extent within the Norwegian and Greenland Seas was the most important covariate that explained the greatest amount (60%) of variation in smolt-to-adult marine survival rates. Hitherto, Atlantic salmon conservation efforts have primarily focused on protecting juvenile life-stages in freshwater. This study revealed that smolt-to-adult marine survival was 81.6% lower than parr-to-smolt freshwater survival, so much greater emphasis should be given to understanding the factors affecting their mortality at sea to protect this important life-stage. At present, Atlantic salmon are afforded almost no protection at sea, unlike other threatened marine species, and despite population declines observed across their distribution. We discuss measures required to safeguard Atlantic salmon at sea.

The steroidal module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) longitudinally monitors five ratios between urinary concentrations of endogenous anabolic and androgenic steroids. Even though it has improved detection of testosterone doping, the interpretation of data from multiple discrete biomarkers is complex. This study sought to create a single score to identify doping rather than relying on the interpretation of each parameter alone. A Bayesian model was used to define an ABP sequence probability for each biomarker to assess the extremity of a measurement relative to the expected levels from ABP. This was used to discriminate between doped and presumed clean individuals based upon pattern classification of biomarkers using classification algorithms. Data were obtained from laboratory-controlled experimental studies as well as routine doping control tests. A laboratory model (where classifier is trained using the laboratory-controlled data only) and a mixed model (where classifier is trained on combined laboratory-controlled and doping control data) were developed and tested on the doping control data. Logistical regression was seen to have the best classification performance across the methods used, with the Abnormal Steroid Profile Score (ASPS) representing the estimated probability from the logistical regression model. Classifier performance produced an AUC of 0.67 and 0.75 when trained on the laboratory model and the mixed model, respectively, with T/E and 5α-Diol/5β-Diol representing the main biomarkers driving the ASPS. These findings demonstrate that the ASPS can discriminate between the doping status of individuals, even if a mixture of steroids, administration methods and doses are used.

High-quality, well-balanced feeding strategies are essential for optimizing poultry growth performance and for ensuring the safety of poultry products. Here, we evaluated the effects of chelated vs. inorganic trace minerals on the growth, survival and carcass characteristics of Cobb 500 broiler chickens. A large-scale feeding trial involved four dietary treatments at 21–35 days of age, with Group 1 receiving a control diet with mineral supplements of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) in sulfate form, based on a standard formulation. A further three experimental diets contained chelated forms of Zn (Group 2), Cu (Group 3) and a mineral premix MINTREX® that provides Zn, Cu and Mn (Group 4). Broilers were raised to 42 days of age under commercial production conditions. Feeding chelated trace minerals resulted in significantly higher body weights during the rearing period, including a 10% increase in pre-slaughter weight compared to the controls (p < 0.01). Moreover, survival rates improved from 87% in the controls to 95–96% in the treatment groups (p < 0.001), and carcass evaluation revealed a 15–17% increase in eviscerated carcass weight in birds fed chelated supplements (p < 0.05). Greater yields of muscle, liver and skin with subcutaneous fat were observed, as was improved production of total edible carcass components. Among the treatments, MINTREX® provided the greatest enhancement effects in performance and slaughter traits. These findings demonstrate that dietary chelated minerals, whether single or combined, may have positive effects on the broiler carcass yield and support their inclusion in poultry production systems.

Recent years have seen an emergence of collaborative primary care models in the English National Health Service and other international health systems. Primary Care Networks (PCNs) were introduced in England in July 2019, marking the first time collaboration between general practices was incentivised through a nationwide policy. While participation was not mandatory, nearly all general practices joined a PCN, largely due to strong financial incentives. Our study aim was to estimate the impact of PCNs on emergency hospitalisations using an interrupted time series design. Quarterly data between October 2016 and March 2023 from the North West London Whole Systems Integrated Care dataset was used to construct two primary outcomes: all-cause and ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) emergency hospitalisations, as well as Accident and Emergency attendances, considered as a secondary outcome. Furthermore, we analysed whether the impact of PCNs varied based on practice characteristics. A reduction in all-cause and ACSC hospitalisations was observed following the PCNs' introduction, until the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis also revealed a smaller reduction in ACSC hospitalisations among practices with more deprived patient populations and larger populations of patients with long-term conditions. While PCNs' implementation appears to have led to a reduction in emergency hospitalisations in North West London, this effect was only observed in the very short term as it stopped with the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies should examine the effect across England and evaluate their continued impact.

Abstract The ontogeny of Neanderthal ( Homo neanderthalensis ) perinates is poorly understood due to the paucity of juvenile skeletal remains. Here we reconstruct fetal bone growth, and explore deciduous tooth structures, in three Neanderthal juveniles (Sesselfelsgrotte, 1, 2 and 3) (90,000–50,000 years ago) from southeastern Germany using non-destructive microcomputed tomography. Sesselfelsgrotte 1 exhibited bone tissue consistent with modern human perinatal plexiform-like structures and primary osteons. Long bones showed regions of advanced growth compared to the mandible and frontal bone, which can be explained through different processes of ossification and potentially localized faster development in Neanderthals compared to modern humans. Bone microstructure resembles that of the late third trimester of modern humans, agreeing with previous estimates based on macroscopic data. Sesselfelsgrotte 2 and 3 deciduous teeth retain hypodensities deep within the crown dentine consistent with interglobular dentine. We conclude that the fetal bone patterning is similar to modern humans with areas of advanced growth, indicating that the growth trajectory for this Neanderthal perinate was broadly equivalent to that of modern humans. The abnormal dentine mineralization points toward a possible systemic disorder.