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Analysis framework for higher-order temporal correlations with applications to human heartbeats

Effect of digitizing Community Health Information System on the delivery and use of maternal and child health services: Propensity score matching analysis

Introduction In 2018, Ethiopia’s government digitized its Community Health Information System (eCHIS) to enhance Health Extension Program service delivery. However, the impact of eCHIS on health outcomes remains unclear. This study, therefore, examined the effects of eCHIS on the uptake of maternal and child health services. Methods A post-test-only, non-equivalent group household survey design was used, collecting data from July to August 2024 in rural communities with and without eCHIS. A stratified multistage sampling technique was employed to recruit respondents. A sample of 1,728 women of reproductive age (271 in eCHIS and 1,457 in non-eCHIS woredas), 1,118 women with children ages 0–11 months (188 in eCHIS and 930 in non-eCHIS), and 569 women with children ages 12–23 months (301 in eCHIS and 268 in non-eCHIS) were included in this study. Propensity scores were used to match intervention and comparison communities based on women’s age, religion, parity, education, household wealth, distance to health facilities, and autonomy. A modified Poisson regression analysis, adjusting for covariates, was conducted to estimate the adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) for maternal and child health outcomes. Results Modern contraceptive use was 66% in intervention areas versus 56% in comparison areas. Institutional delivery rates were 95% in intervention and 79% in comparison areas. In intervention areas, 94% of children received the first dose of the Pentavalent vaccine compared to 83% in comparison areas, while 85% and 68%, respectively, received the third dose. Adjusted analyses showed that eCHIS intervention areas had statistically significant increases in contraceptive use (13.0 percentage points; PR: 1.25; p-value < 0.01) and institutional deliveries (8.9 percentage points; PR: 1.18; p-value < 0.01) compared to comparison areas. Similarly, the average treatment effect of eCHIS on Pentavalent 1, Pentavalent 3, and full vaccination coverage showed significant increases of 10.3 (PR: 1.13; p-value < 0.01), 13.6 (PR: 1.26; p-value < 0.01), and 14.6 (PR: 1.36; p-value < 0.01) percentage points, respectively. Conclusion This study underscores the transformative potential of eCHIS in improving maternal and child health outcomes in Ethiopia. Sustained investment in digital health systems can help scale effective health care services to rural and underserved communities.

GATA have it: another pathway regulated by GATA1

Author Correction: Predictive coding of reward in the hippocampus

Human cooperation undergoes constant breakdown and repair

Physics-informed neural network with adaptive loss balancing for real-time radiotherapy dose prediction and verification

Long-term rapamycin treatment suppresses IL-17-producing gamma delta T cells and blunts neuroinflammation in aging

Aging is the gradual accumulation of structural and functional changes in an organism over time, including immune remodeling and a progressive increase in basal inflammation, or inflammaging. The mTOR pathway is a central driver of aging-related diseases, such as cancer, chronic inflammation and neurodegeneration; pharmacological inhibition with rapamycin is associated with reduced aged-related morbidity and increased lifespan across species. Nonetheless, concerns remain about the use of rapamycin, a well-established immunosuppressant in transplant medicine, as an anti-aging intervention. Here, we evaluated the impact of prolonged low-dose dietary rapamycin on the aging immune system. Treatment did not significantly alter innate or adaptive immune cell populations, including brain resident microglia; however, it attenuated the age-associated accumulation of IL-17–producing γδ T cells, particularly in the peritoneal cavity. After a peripheral inflammatory LPS challenge, circulating IL-17 levels were significantly reduced and correlated with an attenuation of microglia inflammatory phenotype. These findings suggest that prolonged low-dose rapamycin exposure exerts minor systemic immune changes, while selectively limiting age-related γδ T cell expansion and neuroinflammation associated with systemic inflammation.

Novel functions of WPB proteins seem to cluster with VWF

Advancing beam shaping from visible light to X-rays for synchrotron applications

Abstract Customized beam shaping has a wide range of applications from visible light to hard X-rays. While laser beam shaping has matured over recent decades, enabling breakthroughs in optical communication, optical tweezers, and advanced microscopy, extending these techniques to high-brightness X-ray sources could significantly enhance synchrotron applications such as macromolecular crystallography, spectroscopy, and high-resolution imaging. However, X-ray beam shaping remains challenging due to limitations in the available optics and the finite phase-space of synchrotron sources. We introduce a novel method that exploits the monochromatic angular spectrum of undulator radiation combined with the compound refractive lenses (CRLs) to produce a variable circular focal spot with a top-hat intensity profile. By fine-tuning the undulator gap and monochromator settings, this approach enables dynamic control of the spatial beam profile while preserving continuous energy tunability within the limits imposed by the optical configuration and experimental conditions. This technique delivers flexible beam shaping without requiring complex new optical designs, construction, or operational overhead. This method has been successfully demonstrated on a macromolecular crystallography beamline at the Diamond Light Source (DLS), confirming its practicality, adaptability, and potential for widespread adoption in synchrotron-based research.

Validation and utility of the French version of the Unified Multidimensional Calling Scale (UMCS-22) for stipended volunteer firefighters

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the French version of the Unified Multidimensional Calling Scale (UMCS-22), adapted for use with volunteer firefighters, including reliability, construct and criterion validity. Data were collected electronically via LimeSurvey (N = 1,149) and analysed using Jamovi 2.3.3. The measurement model of the French UMCS-22, examined globally and with respect to measurement invariance across gender and age groups, exhibited strict invariance. Internal consistency coefficients ω-McDonald of the dimensional scores of the French UMCS-22 fell between.75 and.86; while its global score had ω = .96. The evaluation of criterion validity through Bayesian linear regression and Structural equation modelling demonstrated differential functioning of the French UMCS-22 facets. Specifically, transcendent summons and pervasiveness were associated with the negative outcomes and purposefulness did not predict any outcome. The utility of the French UMCS-22 adapted for stipended volunteer firefighters is discussed with regard to the neoclassical and modern approaches as well as with regard to the double-edged sword nature of calling.

Deep learning approach for art style recognition and colour restoration in visual art images

Correction: Clay minerals evidences for cold-warm fluctuations in the early Silurian

Share the highs and lows of your career in science: take Nature’s global survey

Contextual effects of monetary incentives on acceptance of unfair offers in the ultimatum game

Serological responses to SARS-CoV-2 in urban and rural Ghana: Antibody waning and implications for long-term population immunity

Background Ghana exhibits geographic variation across northern and southern regions alongside differences between urban and rural communities, which may influence SARS-CoV-2 exposure and immune response. This study aimed to assess the differences in seroprevalence, and seroconversion status after exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in selected urban and rural Ghanaian communities. Methods A longitudinal study design was employed. Serum samples (n = 987) were collected during a baseline survey (August 2023–February 2024) with longitudinal follow-up (n = 212) sampling after one year (August 2024-February 2025) among consenting community participants aged ≥10 years selected through household-based sampling in urban and rural settings. Socio-demographic data, clinical symptoms, and vaccination status were collected using structured questionnaires. Serum samples were inactivated and tested with semi-quantitative Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG ELISA assays targeting spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins. Presence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in serum was determined by a surrogate virus neutralization assay. Results Of 987 participants aged 10–88 years (67.3% female), SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was comparable between urban (47.4%) and rural (47.7%) areas. Among the 212 participants followed longitudinally, 50.9% (108 participants) had both infection or vaccine-induced anti-spike and infection-induced anti-nucleocapsid antibodies after one year, indicating sustained immune responses from prior exposure or vaccination. There was a significant increase in paired spike and nucleocapsid antibody responses between baseline and follow-up (McNemar’s test, χ²(1) = 104.00, p < 0.0001), reflecting ongoing immune boosting despite evidence of antibody waning. Neutralizing antibodies, were detected in 147/148 (99.3%) individuals at timepoint-1 and in all 12 (100%) selected individuals for follow-up at timepoint-2, demonstrating robust functional immunity. Conclusion This study demonstrates widespread serological evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 exposure and vaccine-induced immunity in both urban and rural Ghana. Functional neutralising antibodies were detected in a longitudinal subset, suggesting persistence of antibody-mediated protection in some individuals. Larger longitudinal studies with repeated functional immune assessments are needed to better define durable protection in West African settings.

Daily briefing: Gene-activity ‘clock’ predicts biological ageing

Accelerometer-derived physical activity, sarcopenia, and grip strength as modifiers of type 2 diabetes risk

Abstract Physical activity (PA) represents a modifiable protective factor against type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), whereas sedentary behavior is recognized as a significant risk factor. However, uncertainties remain regarding the dose-response relationships across different PA intensities, the impact of sarcopenia status, and potential interactions between muscle function and PA. This prospective cohort study included 89,532 UK Biobank participants. PA and sedentary behavior were measured by wrist accelerometers. PA included total volume of PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and light-intensity PA (LPA). Sarcopenia status was defined using EWGSOP2 criteria including grip strength, muscle mass, and walk pace. Cox proportional hazards models estimated associations with incident T2DM over median seven years of follow-up, adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors. Higher levels of total PA and guideline-recommended MVPA were associated with reduced T2DM risk. Sedentary time showed a positive linear association ( P for linearity < 0.001, P for nonlinearity = 0.969). A slow walking pace (HR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.57–2.10) and severe muscle mass deficit (HR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00-1.32) were independent risk factors. Crucially, grip strength modified PA-T2DM associations: higher PA reduced risk significantly only in participants with normal grip strength (HR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.53–0.69) but not in those with low grip strength (HR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.74–1.51; P for interaction < 0.05). Accelerometer-measured PA demonstrated dose-dependent protective effects against T2DM, whereas components of sarcopenia were independently associated with an increased risk. Notably, preserved grip strength enhances these benefits, suggesting that muscle function assessment can optimize personalized prevention strategies.

Curiosity in calamity: How personal schadenfreude shapes disaster-tourism intentions

Tourism to sites of recent disaster, a form of dark tourism has raised questions about whether visitors are driven by typical travel motivations or by morbid impulses. This study examines how conventional tourist motives and the personality trait of benign schadenfreude (pleasure at others’ misfortune) jointly influence people’s intentions to visit a recent disaster site. By surveying 438 tourists to Kerala, four months after the July 2024 Wayanad landslides, we measured four common travel motives (novelty seeking, fun/entertainment, knowledge/learning, and relationship bonding) alongside a benign schadenfreude scale and visit intention. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed for modeling. The model explained 58.80 percent of the variance in visit intention. Three motives viz., novelty, knowledge, and relationship had significant positive associations with intention, whereas the fun motive showed a negative effect. Schadenfreude emerged as the strongest predictor of disaster-site visit intention. Moreover, schadenfreude significantly moderated the influence of novelty seeking: respondents high in schadenfreude exhibited especially strong curiosity-driven intent to visit. These findings suggest that interest in post-disaster tourism often stems from ordinary travel drivers (curiosity, learning, social bonding), but a disposition to enjoy others’ misfortune can intensify the appeal when novel experiences are involved. The research highlights the need for ethical considerations to be followed by the destination managers and authorities in managing dark tourism destinations. Key limitations include the use of a cross-sectional data, region-specific sample and the focus on benign dimension (versus malicious) of schadenfreude. Future research should validate these results in other cultural and disaster contexts, establish causal relationships, and examine additional personal factors as well as dimensions of schadenfreude.

Regulation of SNHG1, SNHG3, SNHG4 and SNHG5 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in rheumatoid arthritis

Building breastfeeding knowledgeable health systems: Focus groups with physician leaders

Despite the growth of breastfeeding and lactation medicine as a specialty, the care of breastfeeding families is compromised because few standards and recommendations exist for its practice and integration into health systems. We conducted a qualitative study involving three focus groups (N = 13) with breastfeeding and lactation medicine physician leaders who currently work within large health systems across the United States. Our study aimed to gather the perspectives of physician leaders regarding breastfeeding care in health systems, to summarize current practices and recommendations for optimal care, and to explore barriers and facilitators to the implementation of these recommendations. A deductive content analysis approach guided by the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment Framework was used to analyze the transcripts. Resulting themes revealed the important role that health systems play in modeling breastfeeding supportive practices and the strong influences of leadership and staff personal breastfeeding experiences on health system policies. Recommendations included the creation of breastfeeding and lactation medicine divisions, adequate staff education, staffing and coordination of lactation care across the system and community, support for lactating employees, and public awareness of resources and programs. Barriers to implementation included siloing of lactation services by department, lack of breastfeeding-supportive workplaces, deficient clinical billing for lactation services, and low prioritization by training programs. Facilitators included multidisciplinary collaborations, employee supportive lactation policies, appropriate dyadic lactation billing, and electronic health record workflows. Our focus groups revealed many barriers to the delivery of optimal breastfeeding care within health systems, but strategies were identified for systemic changes. Next steps include identification of breastfeeding and lactation medicine divisions and health systems already implementing the best practices described here. Further research should engage additional stakeholders to better understand administrative and financial points of view regarding barriers and facilitators of breastfeeding support.