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Incidence and prevalence of atopic disease in second and subsequent generation immigrants from Asia in Australia: a systematic review protocol
No full textOnlinePublObjective: The objective of this systematic review is to analyze the incidence and prevalence of atopic disease in second- and subsequent-generation immigrants from Asia in Australia. Introduction: Atopic diseases are IgE-mediated hypersensitivity diseases that have increased significantly globally. Western countries have conspicuously more incidences of atopic disease than Eastern countries. An increase in second- generation immigrants in Australia has revealed an emerging disparity between the atopic profile of first-generation immigrants, second-generation immigrants, and non-immigrants. Second-generation immigrants from Asia seem to be markedly more susceptible to atopic disease than non-immigrants and their first-generation parents. Eligibility criteria: Studies including atopic disease, specifically food allergies, asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and allergic rhinitis (hay fever), will be included; other presentations of atopic disease will be excluded. The population of interest will be second-generation Asian immigrants and any subsequent generations. Each paper’s definition of Asian will be accepted as presented. The context of interest is Australia. Methods: This systematic review will follow JBI methodology and the PERSyst manual for systematic reviews of prevalence and incidence. PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Embase will be searched for English-language studies from 1990 to the present. Gray literature and trial registries will also be searched. Prevalence and incidence data will be screened against the eligibility criteria and critically appraised by 2 independent reviewers. Data such as age, gender, and country of origin will be extracted via a customized tool. The data will undergo meta-analysis and be presented in narrative format with figures and tables where statistical pooling is not possible. Review registration: PROSPERO CRD420246128Danielle Lee, Sonia Hines, Romy Menghao Ji
The association between gaming disorder and impulsivity: A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textReviewBackground: Impulsivity, the tendency to act quickly without careful consideration, is a known risk factor and correlate of substance use and addictive disorders, including International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11 gaming disorder (GD). The aim of this meta-analytic review was to critically evaluate associations between GD symptoms and trait impulsivity and its subtypes. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 33 studies (N = 24,818) met inclusion criteria, including being published between 2019 and 2024 (i.e. to focus on studies in ICD-11 era) and reporting data on problem gaming and trait impulsivity using psychometrically validated tools. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using reported correlations or means and standard deviations. Sources of heterogeneity, such as sample type, age, gender, region, assessment tool and impulsivity subtype, were examined using subgroup and moderator analyses. Results: The pooled association between GD and impulsivity was r = 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.24, 0.34]). Significant between-study heterogeneity was detected based on study region, with larger correlations in Asian studies compared to European and Western studies. Larger correlations were reported in studies employing the YIAT and IGDS9-SF and in studies employing the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS)-11 compared to other impulsivity tools. Conclusion: This meta-analytic review identified a consistent moderate association between trait impulsivity and GD. The result suggests that clinical evaluation and monitoring of GD should consider the influence of impulsivity on risk and recovery. Moreover, assessing specific subtype patterns of impulsivity may inform the implementation of tailored treatment. Future research should examine the relative influence of impulsivity subtypes in the initiation, maintenance and relapse of problematic gaming behaviour.Jaime Nuske, Luke Nuske, Matthew W R Stevens, Joël Billieux, Paul H Delfabbro, Leanne Hides, Daniel Johnson, Daniel L Kin
Mechanical and microstructural characterization of interlayer bonding in multi-material 3D-Printed concrete
No full textLayer-by-layer deposition in 3D-printed concrete (3DPC) facilitates functionally graded concrete (FGC) structures for sustainable construction. This study addresses the critical interfacial bonding challenge in multi-material systems by investigating printable alkali-activated concrete (AAC), normal concrete (NC), and engineered cementitious composite (ECC). Homogeneous concrete (HGC) and FGC specimens were fabricated, evaluating bonding strength evolution at 0–60 min intervals. Surface moisture content trends were monitored, revealing an overall decline with time, interrupted by a rebound at 30–45 min due to internal moisture redistribution. Results showed that the bonding strength in FGC specimens decreased linearly over time, whereas HGC specimens showed partial recovery at 45 min. Results quantified a linear decline in bonding strength for FGC specimens, with strength reduction reaching up to 32.25 % at 60 min compared to initial values. In contrast, HGC specimens exhibited partial recovery at 45 min, demonstrating strength restoration of up to 17.34 % relative to the 30 min interval. A multiscale analytical framework—combining molecular dynamics (MD), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and backscattered electron microscopy (BSE)—was employed to elucidate bonding mechanisms. MD simulations highlighted the importance of surface moisture for molecular-scale adhesion. MIP and BSE results confirmed that concrete type and interfacial moisture significantly influence pore structure and hydration, directly affecting bond strength. These findings offer critical insights into compatibility and time-dependent degradation in multi-material 3DPC
Overlooked considerations in prescribing green and blue infrastructure solutions for urban environments
No full textAvailable online 19 November 2025Green and blue infrastructure (GBI) is emerging as a key strategy for climate adaptation and urban resilience, yet its implementation often faces critical contextual barriers. This review initially screened over 29,000 publications, ultimately synthesizing more than 500 relevant studies supplemented by diverse expert input. The result is a novel integrative framework that connects previously siloed knowledge and consolidates 21 underexplored barriers across four key domains of GBI implementation: environmental, social, economic, and governance/policy. Environmental barriers include conflicts between GBI and renewable energy goals, specifically photovoltaics, unintended consequences of GBI (such as allergenic pollen production), urban ventilation disruption, and vulnerability of plant species to multiple urban stressors. Effective responses include thoughtful allocation and integration of photovoltaics and GBI, developing context-specific frameworks combining ecological knowledge with technological innovation, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration across technical and social domains, science-based species selection and implementing multi-scalar strategies that enhance ecological connectivity. Social barriers encompass environmental injustice, cultural disconnection, limited public adoption, safety concerns, and esthetic preferences favoring manicured over ecologically functional landscapes. These challenges highlight the need for participatory design, culturally responsive planning, and inclusive resource allocation to strengthen community engagement and long-term stewardship. Economic barriers stem from biodiversity undervaluation, inadequate asset recognition in accounting frameworks, incomplete cost-benefit analyses, and limited private investment. Innovative financing tools such as green bonds and debt-for-nature swaps offer promising mechanisms for resilient financing, while standardized natural capital accounting frameworks can better capture GBI’s multifunctional value. Governance barriers include land scarcity, urban design limitations, policy fragmentation, and disconnects with other urban agendas such as walkability. Overcoming these requires institutional realignment, cross-sectoral collaboration, and integrated spatial planning. The review unifies these findings into 12 actionable recommendations to support holistic decision-making, emphasizing that effective GBI implementation demands context-specific strategies combining innovation, inclusive governance, and long-term stewardship to mainstream GBI in sustainable urban development.Prashant Kumar, Karina Corada Perez, Akash Biswal, Hao Sun, Anubhav Kumar Dwivedi, Sarkawt Hama, Soheila Khalili, Ajit Ahlawat, Maria de Fatima Andrade, Ronaldo Adriano Alves, Emannuelly A. Amaral dos Santos, Maria Athanassiadou, Camilo Bastos Ribeiro, Prabin Bhusal, Miguel Luiz Bucalem, Bonnie G. Buchanan, Leticia Figueiredo Candido, Shi-Jie Cao, Amarilis Lucia Casteli Figueiredo Gallardo, Ruidong Chang, Amanda K. Chaves Ribeiro, Brian Considine, Regina Maura de Miranda, Letícia Aparecida de Paiva, Priyanka de Souza, Marco A. Franco, EdmilsonD. Freitas, H. Christopher Frey, Marco F. Funari, Bruno Furieri, JohnGallagher, Leandro LuizGiatti, Marcos JeronimoGoroskiRambalducci, Christos H. Halios, Felicity Harris, Leonardo Hoinaski, Colin Horton, Yuhan Huang, Laurence Jones, Robyn Jones, John Kandulu, Madhusudan Katti, Giuliano Maselli Locosselli, Augusto Akio Lucchezi Miyahara, Jorge Alberto Martins, Leila Droprinchinski Martins, Mauricio Cruz Mantoani, Roberta Consentino Kronka Mülfarth, Yasmin Kaore Lago Kitagawa, Willian Lemker Andreão, Jackson Lemons, Giulia Mariano Machado, Shelagh K. Malham, Meredith P. Martin, Maria Clara V.M. Starling, Aonghus McNabola, Otavio Medeiros Sobrinho, Eugene Mohareb, Erick G. Sperandio Nascimento, Thiago Nogueira, Gwilym Owen, Rajan Parajuli, Hari Prasad Pandey, Rizzieri Pedruzzi, Pedro José Pérez Martínez, Janaina Antonino Pinto, Jorge Armando Piscoya Santibañez, Shila Pokhrel, Paula Lelis Rabelo Albala, Neyval C. Reis, Anderson P. Rudke, Devendra Saroj, Yiming Sui, Veronica Soebarto, Yonatal Tefera, Taciana Toledo de Almeida Albuquerque, Bruna Lima Veras Maia, Fang Wang, Jannis Wenk, Robson Will, Carmel Williams, Hannah Sloan Wood, Qingyun Wu, Chang Xi, Russell Yates, Runming Ya
Periodic Event-Triggering Adaptive Control for Networked Uncertain Nonlinear Systems Against Actuator Attacks and Its Applications
No full textThis article proposes a sampled-data event-triggered adaptive neural network (NN) control strategy to cope with the digital communication and attack compensation problems of networked systems with actuator attacks and exogenous disturbance. By combining event triggering state, parameter estimation signals, and disturbance observer, a novel digital state feedback controller is designed to reduce its updating frequency and compensate for the deliberate impact of unknown actuator attacks. Moreover, considering that the state is partially measurable, a novel observer-based digital controller is designed via a double-ended event-triggering mechanism (ETM). Then, two new Lyapunov functionals are created to analyze the system stability, and two design methods are given to solve the control gain. Finally, the feasibility and validity of the derived results are verified by a visual servo control system and an offshore structure system.Huiyan Zhang, Ning Zhao, Chee Peng Lim, Peng Shi, Mehrdad Sai
Mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs of short-term high temperatures and heatwaves exposure in older populations: a global systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground: Exposure to heat extremes is associated with higher rates of mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs. In the context of population ageing and climate change, which is expected to make extreme heat events more intense, frequent, prolonged, and widespread, understanding their health impacts on older adults is crucial for informing targeted interventions. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and AgeLine for studies published between January 1, 1990, and March 15, 2025. Original research articles assessing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs among older adults during periods of high temperatures or heatwaves were included. Eligible studies used observational designs, such as time series, case-crossover, or case time-series, comparing risks across different exposures or time periods. Reviews, commentaries, grey literature, animal studies, and studies not focused on temperature as the primary exposure were excluded. Risk estimates were extracted from published studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to pool relative risks of morbidity and mortality, focusing on specific disease categories according to ICD-10 codes, climate zones, and demographic factors. The certainty and strength of the evidence were assessed following the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology framework. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023423311). Results: Out of 21,610 identified studies, 623 were eligible, spanning six continents and 305 locations classified by K¨oppen climate zones. Of these, 578 were included in the meta-analysis, 43 in a supplementary meta-analysis, and four on healthcare costs were narratively synthesised. A 1◦ C temperature rise was associated with higher morbidity (RR 1.016 [CI95% 1.012–1.019]) and mortality (RR 1.022 [CI95% 1.020–1.024]) among older people. The highest morbidity risks were linked to heat-related illnesses, external causes and endocrine diseases, and in tropical climates. Mortality risk was highest for intentional self-harm and external causes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and in Mediterranean climates, with the strongest overall impact on those aged ≥ 85 years. Heatwaves increased morbidity (RR 1.189 [CI95% 1.146–1.233]), particularly for heat-related illnesses and external causes, with the highest overall risk seen in adults aged 75–84 and in subtropical climates. Mortality also rose (RR 1.117 [CI95% 1.105–1.129]), especially for cerebrovascular, endocrine and respiratory diseases, with the greatest overall risks found in tropical climates and among individuals aged ≥ 85 years. Despite the limited number of studies on healthcare costs they showed significant increases in costs during heat exposure for emergency department presentations, respiratory and ureter calculus hospitalisations. There was high hetero- geneity with morbidity (high temperatures: I² = 84.1%; heatwaves: I² = 97.6%), whilst for mortality, there was no observed heterogeneity with high temperatures (I² = 0.0%) and moderate heterogeneity with heatwaves (I² = 72.2%). The strength of evidence was rated as “sufficient” for an association between heat exposure and increased mortality and morbidity in older adults, and “limited” for healthcare costs. Conclusion: This review highlights the critical impact of heat exposure on the health of older adults, particularly in different climate zones, and indicates a potential increase in healthcare costs associated with this risk. With the global rise in temperatures and ageing populations, heat-related health risks will continue to increase. Effective, evidence-based interventions, such as tailored heat health action plans that consider individual risk factors, local resources, climatic characteristics and healthcare infrastructure, are crucial to minimise these risks.Sabrina Günsche, Matthew A. Borg, Olga Anikeeva, Blesson M. Varghese, Yannan Li, Dinesh Bhandari, Jing Li, Haoran Yang, Yihan Shi, Jingwen Liu, Keith Dear, Bertram Ostendorf, Nigel Stocks, Danny Liew, Peng B
Response to "Enhancing gender-affirming hair loss assessment: Comment on "Scalp hair parameter changes in transgender individuals commencing gender-affirming hormone therapy""
No full textGia Toan Tang, Rodney Sinclair, Shalem Leemaqz, Ada S. Cheun
Sustainable development and the legacy of socio-ecological risk: the example of community forestry in Nepal
No full textResponses to risk have been insufficiently incorporated into sustainable development pathways. Development interventions can both generate new socio-ecological risks and fail to mitigate the risks experienced by rural communities. We analyse perceptions of socio-ecological risks within community forest user group households in Bagmati province in central Nepal across a three-year period. Community forestry has successfully returned the forest to the middle hills of Nepal, helping to mitigate landslide risks and conserve biodiversity, but other risks are being produced and reinforced within the forest as it transitions. Households are becoming less active in community forest management and are accessing smaller percentages of their income from agriculture and forestry. At the same time, wild animal and wildfire risks are increasing. Climate change is seen to be a key driver of a range of new risks in association with the forest. Perceived household food self-sufficiency has declined recently within all municipalities, with increasingly high levels of households going into debt to support food security. People are valuing the forest for the ecosystem services they provide, including improving biodiversity, supporting subsistence agriculture and stabilising landscapes, but most respondents were not using the forest either to mitigate food insecurity or generate financial incomes. Forests must be managed to continue to be part of the solution, not the problem. As new levels of risk become apparent, knowledge of risk perceptions and interactions with the forest need to be integrated reflexively within policy and practice to guide sustainable development outcomes.Douglas K. Bardsley, Edwin Cedamon, Naya Paudel, Ian Nuber
Unruffling the global feather trade: a comparative analysis of CITES and LEMIS records of feathers and bird skins
No full textDuring the 18th and 19th centuries, bird feathers (class: Aves) were harvested from wild populations and sold globally in enormous quantities to meet the rising demand of the fashion industry. Although many laws now prevent similar widescale harvest, there is a paucity of studies on the trade that has continued to occur since the 20th century. Using data from the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Law Enforcement Management Information System (LEMIS), we synthesised the first modern analysis of the global feather trade. We discovered over 1800 bird species being traded for their feathers since the 1980s, with 18 of 41 orders found to be overrepresented in trade. Shipments ranged from occurrences of single species to large-scale trade involving multiple species. Traded species were more likely to have plumage that deviated from brown- and/or grey tones compared to non-traded species. Feathers from the culturally significant bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus and golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos were the most commonly traded of all species. We determined that overall, the modern feather trade does not appear to operate on the scale of historic harvests, and our findings indicate that modern trade poses a lower risk to the majority of wild bird populations globally. However, the endangered green peafowl Pavo muticus warrants closer examination to establish whether wild populations are directly affected by current demand in both domestic and international markets. Lastly, we suggest that the feather types (i.e. wing feathers, tail feathers) should be recorded on import and/or export to improve monitoring capabilities, and we propose that conservation managers are mindful of this poorly studied trade in future species assessments.Jasmin Broadbridge, Freyja Watters, and Phillip Casse
TraffiX-MoE: A Traffic-Aware Neural VRP Solver
No full textExisting learning-based Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) solvers typically assume static edge costs, ignoring the temporal variability of road traffic. In ambulance dispatch, however, travel times fluctuate markedly with rush-hour congestion and incidents, so routes that look optimal offline can delay patient delivery. We introduce TraffiX-MoE, a neural solver that couples a traffic-aware simulator with a Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) Transformer. TraffiX-MoE represents time-varying edge costs via slot-indexed tensors, augments POMO with expert specialisation for distinct congestion regimes, and trains with a latency-controlled hierarchical gating scheme. Experiments on synthetic and real Adelaide traffic show that TraffiX-MoE cuts average evacuation time by 8–11% over strong baselines while retaining sub-second planning latency.Wenhao Liang, Wei Emma Zhang, Lin Yue, Joy Rathjen, Peter Oloughlin, Weitong Che