Daily within-fluctuations in need frustration and implications for employee recovery and well-being: A mixed-methods study.

INTRODUCTION: Daily variations in frustration of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) have received limited attention. This mixed-methods study examines such daily variations and their relations to recovery from work and employee well-being. METHOD: The study uses multilevel modeling of repeated measures through daily surveys from a period of 8 working days across 2 consecutive weeks, combined with in-depth interviews. A sample of 54 Norwegian health-care workers completed a total of 242 daily surveys, and follow-up interviews were conducted with 10 participants. RESULTS: Quantitative results showed that need frustration at work fluctuates from day to day, with competence frustration notably impairing recovery (i.e., lower psychological detachment and relaxation) and increasing ill-being (i.e., higher exhaustion and negative work affect). Autonomy frustration was related to increased exhaustion and sleep complaints, while relatedness frustration showed no significant relation to recovery, ill-being, or sleep. Qualitative findings corroborated and expanded on these results, offering deepened insights into how competence and, sometimes, relatedness need frustration hampered the recovery process and sleep. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study add to the scarce body of literature on daily fluctuations in need frustration at work and its adverse consequences.

Utilizing frustration in Gd- and Yb-based oxides for milli-Kelvin adiabatic demagnetization refrigeration.

The manifold of energetically degenerate configurations arising from competing interactions in frustrated magnets gives rise to an enhanced entropy at lowest temperatures, which can be utilized for adiabatic demagnetization refrigeration (ADR). We review structural and magnetic properties of various Yb- and Gd-based oxides featuring frustration related to different triangular moment configurations and (for some cases) structural randomness. In comparison to paramagnetic hydrated salts, which have traditionally been employed for mK-ADR, these novel ADR materials enable cooling to temperatures several times lower than the magnetic interaction strength, significantly enhancing the entropy density and cooling power at a given target temperature. A further advantage is their chemical stability, allowing for a much simpler ADR pill design and ultra-high vacuum applications. For the temperature range between 0.02 and 2~K, a systematic comparison of the field-induced entropy density change is provided, that illustrates the advantages of frustrated magnets for low-temperature ADR.

Problem Behaviours and Relinquishment: Challenges Faced by Clinical Animal Behaviourists When Assessing Fear and Frustration.

Fear and frustration are two emotions thought to frequently contribute to problem behaviour, often leading to relinquishment. Inferring these emotions is challenging as they may present with some similar general signs, but they potentially require different treatment approaches to efficiently address the behaviour of concern. Although behavioural assessment frameworks have been proposed, it is largely unknown how clinical animal behaviourists (CABs) assimilate information about the emotional state of an animal to inform their behavioural assessment. In other fields (such as both in human and veterinary medicine), the use of intuition and gut feelings, without the concurrent use of an assessment framework, can lead to higher rates of error and misdiagnosis. Therefore, this study used semi-structured interviews of ten CABs and qualitative methods to explore the ways they conceptualise, recognise and differentiate fear and frustration in dogs. Although interviewees perceived fear and frustration as negative affective states that lead to changes in an animal's behaviour, there was little consensus on the definition or identification or differentiation of these emotions. The use of a scientific approach (i.e., hypothesis-driven and based on falsification of competing hypotheses) for behavioural assessment was highly variable, with individual assessment processes often characterised by tautology, intuition, circular reasoning and confirmation bias. Assessment was typically based on professional judgment, amalgamating information on interpretation of communicative signals, motivation, learning history, breed, genetics and temperament. Given the lack of consensus in the definition of these states, it is clearly important that authors and clinicians define their interpretation of key concepts, such as fear and frustration, when trying to communicate with others.

A contact-based analysis of local energetic frustration dynamics identifies key residues enabling RfaH fold-switch.

Fold-switching enables metamorphic proteins to reversibly interconvert between two highly dissimilar native states to regulate their protein functions. While about 100 proteins have been identified to undergo fold-switching, unveiling the key residues behind this mechanism for each protein remains challenging. Reasoning that fold-switching in proteins is driven by dynamic changes in local energetic frustration, we combined fold-switching simulations generated using simplified structure-based models with frustration analysis to identify key residues involved in this process based on the change in the density of minimally frustrated contacts during refolding. Using this approach to analyze the fold-switch of the bacterial transcription factor RfaH, we identified 20 residues that significantly change their frustration during its fold-switch, some of which have been experimentally and computationally reported in previous works. Our approach, which we developed as an additional module for the FrustratometeR package, highlights the role of local frustration dynamics in protein fold-switching and offers a robust tool to enhance our understanding of other proteins with significant conformational shifts.

Tunable Anomalous Hall Effect in a Kagomé Ferromagnetic Weyl Semimetal.

Emerging from the intricate interplay of topology and magnetism, the giant anomalous Hall effect (AHE) is the most known topological property of the recently discovered kagomé ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal Co3Sn2S2 with the magnetic Co atoms arranged on a kagomé lattice. Here it is reported that the AHE in Co3Sn2S2 can be fine-tuned by an applied magnetic field orientated within ≈2° of the kagomé plane, while beyond this regime, it stays unchanged. Particularly, it can vanish in magnetic fields parallel to the kagomé plane and even decrease in magnetic fields collinear with the spin direction. This tunable AHE can be attributed to local spin switching enabled by the geometrical frustration of the magnetic kagomé lattice, revealing that spins in a kagomé ferromagnet change their switching behavior as the magnetic field approaches the kagomé plane. These results also suggest a versatile way to tune the properties of a kagomé magnet.

Planar XY magnetic glass state in the Gd2ScNbO7pyrochlore.

Here a spin glass system with emergent planar ordered spin clusters is investigated. The mixed B-site pyrochlore Gd2ScNbO7has been synthesized and characterized through a variety of techniques, including x-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, muon spin relaxation, heat capacity and neutron scattering. Despite a Curie-Weiss temperature of -3.93(3) K, indicating net antiferromagnetic interactions, no signs of long ranged magnetic ordering are found down toT= 0.3 K. Instead, a disordered magnetic state emerges with a small correlation length of 2.1(1) Å of single tetrahedra. A Reverse Monte Carlo analysis of the polarized neutron scattering data reveals short-range antiferromagnetic order with emergent XY spin ordering similar to the parent pyrochlore compounds. Muon spin relaxation, and AC susceptibility measurements confirm that the magnetization condenses into a glass, with 10 % of the potential entropy missing in the specific heat. This magnetic ground state is similar to what is observed in Gd2Sn2O7just above the ordering temperature, without the eventual long-range ordering at low temperature.

Self-healing, piezoresistive and temperature responsive behaviour of chitosan/polyacrylic acid dynamic hydrogels.

Flexible electronics have introduced new challenges for efficient human-machine interactions. Hydrogels have emerged as prominent materials for electronic wearable applications due to their exceptional mechanical deformability and lightweight characteristics combined in some cases with conductive properties, and softness. Additionally, bio-interphases require multisensory response to stress, strain, temperature, and self-healing capacity. To mimic these properties, this work developed interpenetrated hydrogel networks composed of chitosan (CHI) and polyacrylic acid (PAA), combined with Fe (III) ions and varying amounts of NMBA (0-0.25 %), to achieve tailored conductivity (0.8-2.5 mS/cm), self-healing, self-standing and mechanical properties (E = 11.7-110 Pa and fracture strain = 64.9-1923 %) suitable for strain sensor applications. The results revealed a significant influence of the restrictive effect on the mobility of uncrosslinked chain segments, caused by Fe ions and NMBA, on the piezoresistance (GF 2.1-1.3) and self-healing capability of the gels. Interestingly, a transparent/turbid transition, driven by microphase separation that is characteristic of systems with high dynamic interactions, was encountered for the first time in these hydrogels. This transition was analyzed in relation to external temperature, water content, pH, and the influence of Fe ions and NMBA. The simultaneous sensitivity of these materials to temperature and pH, along with their piezoresistive and self-healing behaviour, can be highly valuable for multifunctional sensors in a wide range of applications.

Mitigating the Kinetic Hysteresis of Co-free Ni-rich Cathodes via Gradient Penetration of Nonmagnetic Silicon.

Co-free Ni-rich layered oxides are considered a promising cathode material for next-generation Li-ion batteries due to their cost-effectiveness and high capacity. However, they still suffer from the practical challenges of low discharge capacity and poor rate capability due to the hysteresis of Li-ion diffusion kinetics. Herein, based on the regulation of the lattice magnetic frustration, the Li/Ni intermixing defects as the primary origin of kinetic hysteresis are radically addressed via the doping of the nonmagnetic Si element. Meanwhile, by adopting gradient penetration doping, a robust Si-O surface structure with reversible lattice oxygen evolution and low lattice strain is constructed on Co-free Ni-rich cathodes to suppress the formation of surface dense  barrier layer. With the remarkably enhanced Li-ion diffusion kinetics in atomic and electrode particle scales, the as-obtained cathodes (LiNixMn1-xSi0.01O2, 0.6 ≤ x ≤ 0.9) achieve superior performance in discharge capacity, rate capability, and durability. This work highlights the coupling effect of magnetic structure and interfacial chemicals on Li-ion transport properties, and the concept will inspire more researchers to conduct an intensive study.

Visualizing Viral RNA Packaging Signals in Action.

Here we confirm, using genome-scale RNA fragments in assembly competition assays, that multiple sub-sites (Packaging Signals, PSs) across the 5' two-thirds of the gRNA of Satellite Tobacco Necrosis Virus-1 make sequence-specific contacts to the viral CPs helping to nucleate formation of its T = 1 virus-like particle (VLP). These contacts explain why natural virions only package their positive-sense genomes. Asymmetric cryo-EM reconstructions of these VLPs suggest that interactions occur between amino acid residues in the N-terminal ends of the CP subunits and the gRNA PS loop sequences. The base-paired stems of PSs also act non-sequence-specifically by electrostatically promoting the assembly of CP trimers. Importantly, alterations in PS-CP affinity result in an asymmetric distribution of bound PSs inside VLPs, with fuller occupation of the higher affinity 5' PS RNAs around one vertex, decreasing to an RNA-free opposite vertex within the VLP shell. This distribution suggests that gRNA folding regulates cytoplasmic genome extrusion so that the weakly bound 3' end of the gRNA, containing the RNA polymerase binding site, extrudes first. This probably occurs after cation-loss induced swelling of the CP-shell, weakening contacts between CP subunits. These data reveal for the first time in any virus how differential PS folding propensity and CP affinities support the multiple roles genomes play in virion assembly and infection. The high degree of conservation between the CP fold of STNV-1 and those of the CPs of many other viruses suggests that these aspects of genome function will be widely shared.

Geometric Inhibition of Superflow in Single-Layer Graphene Suggests a Staggered-Flux Superconductivity in Bilayer and Trilayer Graphene.

In great contrast to the numerous discoveries of superconductivity in layer-stacked graphene systems, the absence of superconductivity in the simplest monolayer graphene remains quite puzzling. Here, through realistic computation of the electronic structure, we identify a systematic trend that superconductivity emerges only upon alteration of the low-energy electronic lattice from the underlying honeycomb atomic structure. We then demonstrate that this inhibition can result from geometric frustration of the bond lattice that disables the quantum phase coherence of the order parameter residing on it. In comparison, upon deviation from the honeycomb lattice, relief of geometric frustration allows robust superfluidity with nontrivial spatial structures. For the specific examples of bilayer and trilayer graphene under an external electric field, such a bond-centered order parameter would develop superfluidity with staggered flux that breaks the time-reversal symmetry. Our study also suggests the possible realization of the long-sought superconductivity in single-layer graphene via the application of unidirectional strain.

Exotic phases induced by RKKY interaction in the square lattice.

We study a model of Ising spins in which direct exchange interactions compete with the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) coupling, which may arise effectively from itinerant electrons. We consider the model in the two-dimensional square lattice and focus on values of the RKKY coupling constant (JRKKY) and the Fermi momentum (kF) that induce strong frustration. We study the low-temperature magnetic field phase diagram using Monte Carlo simulations, considering several nearest neighbors in the RKKY interaction. Magnetic frustration yields a rich phase diagram with a variety of exotic phases. We compute the structure factors and define appropriate order parameters to describe the transitions. We also discuss the validity of the approximation made for long-range couplings and analytically demonstrate the change in the coexistence lines in the phase diagram by including up to the tenth nearest neighbors.

TAAR1 and 5-HT1B receptor agonists attenuate autism-like irritability and aggression in rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid.

Despite the rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there remains a significant unmet need for pharmacotherapies addressing its core and associative symptoms. While some atypical antipsychotics have been approved for managing associated irritability and aggression, their use is constrained by substantial side effects. This study aimed firstly to develop behavioral measures to explore frustration, irritability and aggression phenotypes in the rat prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD. Additionally, we investigated the potential of two novel mechanisms, 5-HT1B and TAAR1 agonism, to alleviate these behaviors. Male offspring exposed to prenatal VPA were trained to achieve stable performance on a cued operant task, followed by pharmacological assessment in an operant frustration test, bottle brush test and resident intruder test. VPA exposed rats demonstrated behaviors indicative of frustration and irritability, as well as increased aggression compared to controls. The irritability-like behavior and aggression were further exacerbated in animals previously experiencing a frustrative event during the operant test. Single administration of the 5-HT1B agonist CP-94253 or TAAR1 agonist RO5263397 attenuated the frustration-like behavior compared to vehicle. Additionally, both agonists reduced irritability-like behavior under both normal and frustrative conditions. While CP-94253 reduced aggression in the resident intruder test under both conditions, RO5263397 only produced effects in rats that previously experienced a frustrative event. Our study describes previously uncharacterized phenotypes of frustration, irritability, and aggression in the rat prenatal VPA model of ASD. Administration of selective TAAR1 or 5-HT1B receptor agonists alleviated these deficits, warranting further exploration of both targets in ASD treatment.

Why nuclease free water ruined my experiment (but at least it was free), or why the short dash matters.

There are different types of punctuation marks that are referred to as dashes. These include the short dash or hyphen (-), the en dash (-) and the em dash (-). Each of these marks has a purpose, some of which I have discussed previously. In this editor's corner I am going to try to convince you of the importance of the short dash/hyphen. This is important stuff, so please bear with me. As an editor, and in the interests of scientific accuracy, I am trying to/having to correct errors involving the short dash all of the time. But I will not always be here, and I do not have a chance to edit your papers submitted to other journals (although why you would submit to another journal is an entire topic in and of itself), so it behooves you to pay attention.

Conservation of kinetic stability, but not the unfolding mechanism, between human transthyretin and a transthyretin-related enzyme.

Kinetic stability is thought to be an attribute of proteins that require a long lifetime, such as the transporter of thyroxine and holo retinol-binding protein or transthyretin (TTR) functioning in the bloodstream, cerebrospinal fluid, and vitreous humor. TTR evolved from ancestral enzymes known as TTR-related proteins (TRPs). Here, we develop a rate-expansion approach that allows unfolding rates to be measured directly at low denaturant concentration, revealing that kinetic stability exists in the Escherichia coli TRP (EcTRP), even though the enzyme structure is more energetically frustrated and has a more mutation-sensitive folding mechanism than human TTR. Thus, the ancient tetrameric enzyme may already have been poised to mutate into a kinetically stable human transporter. An extensive mutational study that exchanges residues at key sites within the TTR and EcTRP dimer-dimer interface shows that tyrosine 111, replaced by a threonine in TTR, is the gatekeeper of frustration in EcTRP because it is critical for function. Frustration, virtually absent in TTR, occurs at multiple sites in EcTRP and even cooperatively for certain pairs of mutations. We present evidence that evolution at the C terminus of TTR was a compensatory event to maintain the preexisting kinetic stability while reducing frustration and sensitivity to mutation. We propose an "overcompensation" pathway from EcTRPs to functional hybrids to modern TTRs that is consistent with the biophysics discussed here. An alternative plausible pathway is also presented.

Stabilization of Short- and Long-Range Magnetic Ordering through the Cooperative Effect of 1D [CuO4]∞ Chains and [CuO2X2] Quadrilateral in Quasi-1D Spin-1/2 Systems.

Quasi-1D chain antiferromagnets with reduced structural dimensionality are a rich playground for investigating novel quantum phenomena. We report the synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetism of two novel quasi-1D antiferromagnets, ß-PbCu2(TeO3)2Cl2 (I) and PbCu2(TeO3)2Br2 (II). Their magnetic frameworks are constructed via Cu-based quasi-1D [Cu(2)O4]∞ zigzag chains with square-planar [Cu(1)O2X2] (X=Cl or Br) separated among 1D chains. Specific heat measurements show λ peaks at ~9 K and ~19 K for I and II, respectively. Moreover, both broad maximums (χmax=90 K for I and 80 K for II) and small kinks (TN≈9 K for I and 19 K for II) have been observed in magnetic susceptibility measurements of I and II. Bonner-Fisher model fitting, and theoretical analyses were performed to evaluate the magnetic exchange interactions. Our experimental and theoretical results and structure-properties relationship analysis reveal the coexistence of short- and long-range magnetic ordering from the cooperative effect of 1D [CuO4]∞ chains and [CuO2X2] quadrilateral.

Spin-Glass States Generated in a van der Waals Magnet by Alkali-Ion Intercalation.

Tuning magnetic properties in layered van der Waals (vdW) materials has captured significant attention due to the efficient control of ground states by heterostructuring and external stimuli. Electron doping by electrostatic gating, interfacial charge transfer, and intercalation is particularly effective in manipulating the exchange and spin-orbit properties, resulting in a control of Curie temperature (TC) and magnetic anisotropy. Here, an uncharted role of intercalation is discovered to generate magnetic frustration. As a model study, Na atoms are intercalated into the vdW gaps of pristine Cr2Ge2Te6 (CGT) where generated magnetic frustration leads to emerging spin-glass states coexisting with a ferromagnetic order. A series of dynamic magnetic susceptibility measurements/analysis confirms the formation of magnetic clusters representing slow dynamics with a distribution of relaxation times. The intercalation also modifies other macroscopic physical parameters including the significant enhancement of TC from 66 to 240 K and the switching of magnetic easy-hard axis direction. This study identifies intercalation as a unique route to generate emerging frustrated spin states in simple vdW crystals.

2024 AAFP intercat tension guidelines: recognition, prevention and management.

Social tension or conflict between household cats is common but, because it often manifests as subtle behavioral changes, it can go unnoticed; it is precisely because most signs are subtle and unrecognized that the term 'tension' is used. Where associated tension-related chronic fear-anxiety leads to more overt behavioral concerns and stress-associated disease, cats may face relinquishment by caregivers or even euthanasia if the tension is not relieved. The '2024 AAFP intercat tension guidelines: recognition, prevention and management' have been authored by a Task Force of board-certified veterinary and applied behaviorists and clinical experts in feline medicine and behavior convened by the American Association of Feline Practitioners. The aim is to support veterinary professionals in understanding social behavior between cats and, more specifically, in recognizing intercat tension, preventing or minimizing its occurrence and managing the stressors. In developing the Guidelines, the Task Force has modified the five pillars of a healthy feline environment to provide a framework to assist the prevention or management of intercat tension in households with two or more cats. Because feline social behavior is often misunderstood, the Guidelines debunk 10 common myths that have the potential to negatively impact the wellbeing of companion cats. Extensively illustrated with visual examples of intercat tension and an Appendix detailing a number of case studies, the Guidelines also include a comprehensive table of psychotherapeutic medications, and a detailed algorithm that outlines a systematic approach to preventing, recognizing and resolving intercat tension. A step-by-step approach to introducing a new cat into a household with one or more resident cats is included to further support veterinarians, and a range of management tools to promote client education accompany the Guidelines.

Library resources constraints, frustration, and user behavior: An empirical library operations study.

PURPOSE: The lack of requisite library resources has an enormous effect on academic life in most universities. While previous studies have suggested that the lack of resources such as textbooks affects academic success, this study seeks to provide empirical evidence on the chain effect of the lack of recommended textbooks in universities. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study uses a quantitative dataset from 636 students from five public universities in Ghana collected using well-structured questionnaires. The study adopts exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the measurement and structural models. FINDINGS: The study concludes that limited library resources (such as recommended textbooks) frustrate library users and eventually birth antisocial behaviors such as stealing, hiding, and eroding books (or pages). ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study highlights the significance of providing adequate library resources. It also guides library managers, policymakers, and scholars to manage library resources effectively.

Measurement of basic psychological needs for physical activity participation for college students with intellectual disabilities: A validation study.

BACKGROUND: Measurement instruments to understand self-determined motivation towards physical activity among college students with intellectual disabilities are needed to develop programs to support physical and psychological health and well-being. The purpose of the current study was to validate a modified questionnaire measuring basic psychological needs towards physical activity among college students with intellectual disabilities. METHODS: A total of 108 college students with intellectual disabilities completed the modified questionnaire. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire was examined. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a six-factor model had good model fit. Cronbach's alpha values showed acceptable reliability evidence of the instrument as a whole, although some alpha values in subdomains of the instrument were below acceptable values. CONCLUSION: The modified questionnaire was found to have acceptable validity evidence. Further studies are needed with refinement of answer options and the addition of more questions to increase reliability.

The Paradoxes of Digital Tools in Hospitals: Qualitative Interview Study.

BACKGROUND: Digital tools are progressively reshaping the daily work of health care professionals (HCPs) in hospitals. While this transformation holds substantial promise, it leads to frustrating experiences, raising concerns about negative impacts on clinicians' well-being. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to comprehensively explore the lived experiences of HCPs navigating digital tools throughout their daily routines. METHODS: Qualitative in-depth interviews with 52 HCPs representing 24 medical specialties across 14 hospitals in Switzerland were performed. RESULTS: Inductive thematic analysis revealed 4 main themes: digital tool use, workflow and processes, HCPs' experience of care delivery, and digital transformation and management of change. Within these themes, 6 intriguing paradoxes emerged, and we hypothesized that these paradoxes might partly explain the persistence of the challenges facing hospital digitalization: the promise of efficiency and the reality of inefficiency, the shift from face to face to interface, juggling frustration and dedication, the illusion of information access and trust, the complexity and intersection of workflows and care paths, and the opportunities and challenges of shadow IT. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the central importance of acknowledging and considering the experiences of HCPs to support the transformation of health care technology and to avoid or mitigate any potential negative experiences that might arise from digitalization. The viewpoints of HCPs add relevant insights into long-standing informatics problems in health care and may suggest new strategies to follow when tackling future challenges.