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Dynamic structures of dengue virus serotype 2 secreted NS1 and their interactions with heparan sulfate

Effect of an educational program on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of hospital nurses regarding evidence-based practice: A quasi-experimental study

Background Preparing nurses for evidence-based practice (EBP) requires developing their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and ability to apply evidence-based practice in clinical settings. This study assessed the effects of an educational program on hospital nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding evidence-based practice. Methods A quasi-experimental study with a control group and pre–post intervention assessments. The study was conducted among 116 hospital nurses in Kirkuk City, Iraq, selected using convenience sampling (58 in the intervention group and 58 in the control group). Nurses in the intervention group participated in an educational program on evidence-based practice. Data were collected at baseline and three months post-intervention using a structured self-administered questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practice. Results Nurses in the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in evidence-based practice knowledge, attitudes, and practices compared with baseline, while no significant changes were observed in the control group (p < 0.05). Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant group × time interaction, with large effects on knowledge (η² = 0.85) and practice (η² = 0.69), and a moderate effect on attitudes toward evidence-based practice (η² = 0.13). Conclusion The educational program was associated with significant improvements in nurses’ EBP knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices. These findings suggest that structured EBP education can enhance nursing competencies and support the integration of evidence-based care into clinical practice.

Proton and Electron Transfer Control of Selectivity in Electrochemical CO ₂ Reduction: Selective Reduction of CO ₂ to CO, CH ₄ , and C ₂ H ₆ Catalyzed by the Same Iron Porphyrin

On the equivalence between classically verifiable position verification and certified randomness

Spatial and temporal patterns of SARS-CoV-2 infection in uMgungundlovu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background Investigating the spatial distribution of SARS-CoV-2 at a local level and describing the pattern of disease occurrence can be used as the basis for efficient prevention and control measures. This research project aims to utilize geospatial analysis to understand the distribution patterns of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its relationship with certain co-existing factors in uMgungundlovu district, KwaZulu-Natal. Methods Spatial characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 were investigated over the first four waves of transmission using ESRI ArcGIS Pro v2.0, including Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) with Moran’s “I” as the measure of spatial autocorrelation; and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE). In implementing temporal analysis, time series analysis using the Python Seaborn library was used, with separate modelling carried out for each wave. Results Statistically significant SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates were noted across age groups with p-values = 0.0000. Statistically significant clustering was evident in wave 1 and wave 3 (Moran’s I respectively: wave 1–0.096; wave 2–0.023; wave 3–0.039; wave 4–0.023). The KDE (Highest density of cases: wave 1: 25.0001–50.0, wave 2: 25.0001–50.0, wave 3: 100.001–150.0, wave 4: 50.0001–100.0). Temporal analysis showed more fluctuation at the beginning of each wave with less fluctuation in daily identified cases within the middle to end of each wave. Conclusion A Geospatial approach of analysing infectious disease transmission is proposed to guide control efforts (e.g., testing/tracing and vaccine rollout) for populations at higher vulnerability. Additionally, the nature and configuration of the social and built environment may be associated with increased infection. However, locally specific empirical research is required to assess other relevant factors associated with increased infection.

Zigzag Perovskitoids with Superior Stability and Thermal Conductivity

Variants in the proteasome regulator PSMF1 cause a phenotypic spectrum from parkinsonism to perinatal lethality

Noninvasive detection of audiovisual superadditivity in rat brain by miniaturized SERF magnetometer

The neural mechanisms of multisensory integration, particularly the superadditive response where combined sensory inputs elicit neural activity exceeding the sum of unimodal responses, remain a central frontier in perceptual and cognitive neuroscience. Utilizing a high sensitivity spin exchange relaxation free atomic magnetometer (SERF AM), we noninvasively record event related magnetic fields (ERMFs) in anesthetized rats during audiovisual (AV) stimulation, demonstrating the first application of SERF technology in rodent multisensory research. Comparisons across auditory-only, visual-only, and AV conditions revealed superadditive enhancement of the M300 component, with amplitudes surpassing the linear sum of unimodal responses. This effect is modulated by sound frequencies and inter-stimulus intervals (ISIs), suggesting dual modulation: frequency dependent consistency and ISI dependent emergence enhancement. AV induced M300 delays may reflect increased processing time under multisensory stimulation. The observed pattern of early suppression and later enhancement is consistent with condition dependent modulation across different stages of audiovisual processing. The approach advances cross species mechanistic understanding and provides a scalable platform for future translational research in neurodevelopmental conditions.

Dimensionality- and Pathway-Engineered Charge Transport Dynamics Mediate Divergent Product Selectivity in Photocatalysis

3D electron diffraction—the missing slice completing nanoscale analysis of organic solar cells in TEM

Abstract Optimizing the performance of organic solar cells hinges on a comprehensive understanding of their nanostructures, yet traditional characterization methods often fall short, delivering incomplete structural snapshots. We introduce elastically filtered 3D electron diffraction as technique to bridge full reciprocal- and real-space structural analysis within a single transmission electron microscope. Using model bulk heterojunction DRCN5T:PC 71 BM, 3D electron diffraction reproduces key structural parameters obtained from grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering, including lattice spacings, coherence lengths, and mosaicity, while also providing true in-plane access and direct registration with high-resolution imaging, diffraction imaging and nano-spectroscopy on the same sample. Application to another archetypal blend, P3HT:PC 71 BM, demonstrates the generality of the method. Our findings underscore the transformative potential of 3D electron diffraction, particularly in analyzing beam-sensitive organic thin films. The method enables correlative structural characterization of organic solar cells and opens pathways for application to a wide range of other nanostructured materials.

Mathematical Model on the optimal control of HIV/AIDS transmission dynamics, incorporating the uninfected class after an effective exposure to the disease

In this work, we formulated a mathematical model on HIV/AIDS transmission dynamics that incorporates the post-contact control measure. The six important compartments of the model are: Susceptible, under-3-day Exposed, Exposed-Uninfected, Treatment, Pre-AIDS, and AIDS. The next-generation operator approach was used to obtain the effective reproduction number ( R e ) . From the stability analysis, it was established that the disease-free equilibrium point of the model is locally asymptotically stable when the reproduction number is less than one ( R e < 1 ) , and that it has a unique endemic equilibrium whenever this number exceeds unity. In the optimal control model, both Pre-contact Preventive and Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) control measures were incorporated. Pontryagin’s maximum principle was used to form an optimal system. Seven control strategies were considered. The most cost-effective control measure was identified to be ‘the optimal application of Pre-contact preventive control measures’. In double control strategies, ‘The combined use of Pre-contact Preventive and Anti-retroviral therapy’ was also found to be better and most cost-effective than the other double control strategies in controlling the virus. The population dynamics of different classes with respect to the application of each of these strategies were simulated with MATLAB to assess the impact of these control measures on the control of the virus.

Total Synthesis of Ussuriedine via a Late-Stage Stevens Rearrangement: Implications for Biosynthesis

Publisher Correction: Mutant KRAS vaccine with dual checkpoint blockade in resected pancreatic cancer: a phase I trial

Ultra-processed food consumption and the risk of overweight and obesity in adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Overweight and obesity during early life increase the risk of premature morbidity and mortality. Adolescent obesity raises the likelihood of developing cardiovascular risk factors, including prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, liver disease, and metabolic syndrome. Sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets are major contributors, with one of the fastest-growing unhealthy eating patterns being the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). No systematic review and meta-analysis has specifically examined the association between UPF consumption and overweight/obesity in adolescents. Objective To systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of available evidence on the association between UPF consumption and overweight or obesity among adolescents. Methods We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, HINARI, Google, and Google Scholar for primary studies reporting UPF consumption and overweight/obesity outcomes in adolescents, without restrictions on language or study period. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochrane’s Q test and the I² statistic. Publication bias and small-study effects were assessed using Egger’s regression test (p < 0.05). A random-effects model estimated pooled associations. Results Twenty-three studies involving 155,000 adolescents were included. Adolescents with higher UPF consumption had 63% greater odds of overweight or obesity compared with those with lower intake (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.36–1.95). Conclusion High UPF consumption is associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity among adolescents. Public health strategies targeting reduced UPF intake and promotion of healthier diets should be prioritized to prevent adolescent overweight/obesity and associated health risks.

Plasma-Engineered Hydroxyl Defects in NiO: A DFT-Supported-Spectroscopic Analysis of Oxygen-Hole States and Implications for Water Oxidation

Oxidation-resistant AgRuIr alloy nanocages for efficient and enduring oxygen evolution in proton exchange membrane electrolysis

Abstract The global transition to a hydrogen economy relies on efficient and durable catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction within proton exchange membrane water electrolysis. Conventional metal oxide catalysts, particularly RuO 2 , suffer from overoxidation and corrosion under acidic and high-potential conditions, limiting operational lifetime. Here we report a metallic catalyst composed of metastable AgRuIr alloy nanocages that challenge the prevailing view that metallic materials are unsuitable for this reaction. Mechanistically, the filled d orbitals of Ag reduce the oxophilicity of the alloy, weakening oxygen adsorption and preventing oxygen incorporation into the metal lattice. As a result, the nanocages exhibit higher activity than Ru/Ir oxides while maintaining a metallic state at high potentials, thereby fundamentally suppressing overoxidation. In a water electrolysis cell, the catalyst delivers 1 A cm −2 at a cell voltage of 1.73 V and operates stably for 1500 hours with negligible voltage increase (0.93 μV h −1 ) and minimal metal dissolution (0.5–0.7% kh −1 ). These results redefine the potential of metallic catalysts for oxygen evolution in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis systems toward large-scale hydrogen production.

Stage-specific screening reveals differential resilience response to cold stress in rice

Rice cultivation in the northern and northeastern districts of Bangladesh faces cold stress during the seedling and reproductive stages that drastically reduces yield. As a precursor to generate improved elite lines, a diverse panel of rice germplasm was screened to identify genotypes with resilience to low temperature at both key developmental phases. Seedling-stage tolerance was assessed using an artificial cold-water tank, while reproductive-stage cold tolerance was evaluated under both natural field conditions and controlled cold screening facilities. Two breeding lines - BR8907-B-1–2-CS1–4-CS2-P3-4 and BR8909-B-12–2-CS1–4-CS2-P2-3–2, demonstrating minimal leaf discoloration and the highest survival rates, and lacking the known QTL ( qSCT1 ) for seedling stage cold tolerance indicated contributions from other QTLs or genetic factors. Five genotypes (Bhutan, IR83222-F11-173, Rata Boro, BRRI dhan74, BR11712-4R-227) showed tolerance at the reproductive stage, while three lines (Bhutan, BR11712-4R-227, and BR12266-44-11-32-5-1-1-HR10-B) showed moderate tolerance at both seedling and reproductive stages, indicating stage-specific responses. The genotypes BR10317-5R-25, IR18A1859, and BRRI dhan28 were consistently susceptible at both stages. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that seedling and reproductive traits contributed jointly to variation under field conditions but independent under controlled environments, reflecting stage-specific genetic regulation. These findings highlight the complex, stage-dependent nature of cold tolerance and the importance of stage-specific screening to inform effective breeding strategies for enhanced cold resilience in rice.

Asymmetric Alkene Boration and <i>Z</i> -Retentive Allylic Substitution Reactions under Cu/Pd Relay Catalysis

Tunable electrocaloric effect in lead scandium tantalate through calcium doping

Abstract State-of-the-art electrocaloric cooling prototypes rely on the conventional electrocaloric effect of ferroelectric lead scandium tantalate (PbSc 0.5 Ta 0.5 O 3 , PST), which peaks near room temperature. Here, we demonstrate that A-site calcium doping in highly ordered PST modifies its phase transitions and enables precise tuning of the electrocaloric response. The transition temperature shifts down to 258 K and up to 319 K, depending on Ca concentration. Calorimetry under electric field, electrical polarization loops, and piezoresponse force microscopy reveal the emergence of an intermediate antiferroelectric phase stabilized for Ca ≥ 2%. These results are supported by first-principles calculations. We observe conventional electrocaloric effect for Ca ≤ 2% and inverse electrocaloric effect at higher doping (≥ 2%). Under an applied field of 110 kV cm −1 , Ca-doped PST exhibits an adiabatic temperature change of 2 K over a range from 263 K to 353 K. Such Ca-doped PST compounds could be used to expand the temperature range of PST below the freezing point of water. Our results offer a pathway to cascaded electrocaloric cooling devices with extended operating spans.

Assessing the real-world safety of vutrisiran for transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis with polyneuropathy: Based on WHO-VigiAccess and FAERS databases

Background Vutrisiran is a double-stranded siRNA targeting transthyretin mRNA, primarily for the treatment of transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR) with polyneuropathy. Understanding its safety in real-world settings is crucial for achieving optimal treatment outcomes for patients. Methods This study assessed the safety of vutrisiran for clinical use by analyzing all adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports in WHO-VigiAccess and U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) databases with vutrisiran as the primary suspected drug and by using four disproportionality analysis and Bayesian information component. Weibull distribution was also utilized to predict the time of occurrence of ADR. Results During the research process, WHO-VigiAccess reported 721 adverse reaction reports related to vutrisiran, while FAERS documented 732 ADR reports. The analysis revealed that: this study not only demonstrated known adverse reactions such as injection site reactions, such as redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site; systemic reactions like fatigue and myalgia; pain in extremity; and potential risks associated with reduced vitamin A levels, but also detected potential safety signals related to drug such as night blindness and cardiac pacemaker insertion. Furthermore, it was observed that in both the WHO-VigiAccess and FAERS databases, the highest reporting rates of ADR were found in the category of general disorders and administration site conditions. It also confirms the importance of monitoring the occurrence of adverse reactions within one year after drug treatment. Conclusion The study identified several known ADRs and detected potential positive signals that may be associated with the drug. These research results provide clinicians with more information to consider and monitor adverse reactions in patients with ATTR-related polyneuropathy after treatment with vutrisiran, offering more evidence for its safety in real-world settings.