Browse Articles

Insilico investigations of the physical properties of hexagonal chalcogenide perovskites CsXS3 (X = Nb, V) for UV optoelectronic devices and photovoltaic applications

Abstract Chalcogenide perovskites have attracted growing interest as inorganic materials with tunable electronic and optical properties and enhanced chemical stability compared to halide counterparts. In this work, we present a first-principles density functional theory (DFT) investigation of the structural, electronic, and optical properties of the cesium-based chalcogenide perovskites CsNbS 3 and CsVS 3 . Structural optimizations are performed within the generalized gradient approximation (PBE-GGA) to establish equilibrium geometries within the ABX 3 perovskite framework. The electronic properties are analyzed primarily using PBE-GGA to ensure internal consistency between band structures, density of states, and derived optical spectra. Both compounds exhibit narrow indirect band gaps at the PBE-GGA level, with valence-band maxima dominated by S-3p states and conduction-band minima arising mainly from Nb-4d and V-3d orbitals. Hybrid-functional (HSE06) calculations are additionally employed to assess the sensitivity of the electronic structure to exchange–correlation effects, revealing pronounced band-edge renormalization near the Fermi level rather than serving as a basis for electronic classification. Optical properties, including the dielectric function, absorption coefficient, reflectivity, and optical conductivity, are calculated consistently from the PBE-GGA electronic structures and show strong optical activity in the visible to near-infrared energy range, originating from S-p to transition-metal d interband transitions. A model-based thickness-dependent efficiency analysis is further presented to compare relative optoelectronic trends, without making predictive device-performance claims. Overall, this study provides a coherent and internally consistent description of the electronic and optical behaviour of CsNbS 3 and CsVS 3 , clarifies the functional dependence of their electronic structures, and highlights the importance of careful methodological interpretation in first-principles studies of transition-metal chalcogenide perovskites.

Fixel-based analysis reveals whole-brain white matter microstructural alterations in axial spondyloarthritis

Abstract Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that may influence the central nervous system through systemic inflammation. While functional brain alterations have been reported, white matter microstructural changes remain poorly understood. This study investigated white matter alterations in axSpA using fixel-based analysis (FBA). Thirty-nine axSpA patients (mean age 28.5 ± 6.3 years) and 41 healthy controls (29.1 ± 5.8 years) underwent diffusion MRI. FBA assessed fiber density (FD), fiber-bundle cross-section (FC), and combined fiber density and cross-section (FDC) across the whole brain. Group differences were analyzed controlling for age, sex, and education. Clinical correlations were assessed with False Discovery Rate (FDR) correction. Compared to controls, axSpA patients showed significantly increased FC in the left external capsule (EC) and increased FDC in the right EC and right uncinate fasciculus (UF) (family-wise error corrected P  < 0.05). No significant FD alterations were observed. In exploratory analyses, left EC FC showed a nominal positive correlation with physical function scores (Rho = 0.21, uncorrected P  = 0.037), but this association did not survive FDR correction (adjusted P  > 0.05). axSpA involves asymmetric white matter remodeling with increased bundle cross-section in corticostriatal and limbic pathways. These findings likely reflect active neuroinflammatory processes—such as maladaptive structural remodeling or compensatory hypertrophy—likely representing a distinct mechanism from the atrophy observed in later stages of neurodegeneration. FBA provides sensitive metrics for detecting these subtle macrostructural alterations in axSpA. Registry : chictr.org.cn, TRN: ChiCTR2500111024, Registration date: 23rd October 2025.

Evaluation of water-economy-ecology system development level and coupling coordination degree: a case study of China’s central plains urban agglomeration

Abstract The water-economy-ecology (WEE) system exhibits a complex coupling relationship, presenting significant challenges to sustainable urban agglomeration development. This study proposes a novel evaluation framework to explore the coupling coordination degree (CCD) of the regional WEE system for sustainable urban agglomeration development. By integrating the EFAST-Cloud model (ECM) to quantify the comprehensive development level of each subsystem, and applying an improved coupling coordination degree model (ICCDM), the spatio-temporal evolution of CCD in China’s Central plains urban agglomeration (CPUA) was analyzed. Results indicate: (1) The comprehensive evaluation index (CDI) of the WEE system shows an upward trend, with Xinyang, Zhengzhou, Huaibei, and Jiyuan in the leading position in their respective subsystems and the WEE system. (2) From 2011 to 2020, CCD exhibited a fluctuating but increasing trend, with the dominant coupling relationship shifting from water-economy to water-ecology. The core development area (CDA) consistently outperformed the non-core area (NCDA), with Jiyuan, Huaibei, and Zhengzhou achieving the highest CCD values. (3) Spatial analysis indicated a gradual strengthening of global spatial autocorrelation, while local autocorrelation was dominated by L-L and H-L clusters with limited spatial extent. The gravitational effect of CCD became increasingly pronounced by 2020, with Zhengzhou consistently emerging as the dominant center of gravity (COG) for CCD distribution. This study could not only provide a robust methodological framework for WEE system research but also offer new theoretical and practical insights into sustainable development in urban agglomerations.

Evaluating the adequacy of current dietary guidelines for seafood as a source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids

Abstract Seafood is widely encouraged as part of a healthy diet due to its rich source of key nutrients, with guidelines advocating two portions per week, one of which is oily. As the main dietary provider of the health-promoting omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, seafood consumption is essential to achieve recommended EPA + DHA intake levels, which range from 0.25 > 1.0 g.day − 1 , to support optimal health. Here we examine the lipid and fatty acid contents of seafood in relation to EPA + DHA recommendations. With more seafood being farmed we found that, despite the industrialisation process resulting in an increased n -6/ n -3 ratio, farmed fish still provide similar or greater amounts of EPA + DHA than their wild equivalents. However, only a single 140 g portion of Atlantic mackerel would meet the UK’s recommended 3.15 g EPA + DHA intake. Of the available combinations analysed, 75% of any two portions would not deliver the lower European Safety Authority’s (EFSA) recommendation of 1.75 g.EPA + DHA.week − 1 , whereas following current advice of two portions per week, where at least one is oily, resulted in 75% of combinations satisfying the lower EFSA amount but just 11% fulfilling the UK’s higher recommendation. While actual seafood intake remains below recommended amounts, necessitating further consumer education, changing the current guidelines to encourage the consumption of three portions of seafood per week, whereby two are oily, may prove challenging but would ensure that 99% and 75% of combinations surpass EFSA and UK recommendations, respectively, potentiating improved public health outcomes.

Techno-economic assessment of retrofit pathways towards near zero-energy performance in a Saudi residential villa

Implementing a competency-based acupuncture training program in Korean Medicine education

Background Acupuncture has gained global recognition as complementary and integrative therapy, but standardized education and training methods have not kept pace with its increasing application. Studies on systematic and effective acupuncture training approaches remain limited. We implemented and evaluated a newly designed acupuncture training program using a rapid prototyping instructional systems design (RPISD) model. Methods An acupuncture training program was developed using the RPISD model through needs analysis, prototype design, and development, and was then implemented with undergraduate Korean Medicine students (n = 88) in 2022/2023. Program effectiveness was evaluated through a mixed-methods design incorporating pre- and post-program assessments using a satisfaction survey, the Korean self-efficacy questionnaire measuring clinical communication skills (KSE-12), students’ practical examination score, and in-depth interviews. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated through a convergent mixed-methods approach to provide a comprehensive evaluation of educational effectiveness and to identify areas for improvement. Results Satisfaction was high, with 97.8% of 45 respondents expressing positive reactions to the program. Thirty-five students completed the communication questionnaire, with the total KSE-12 score significantly increasing after the course ( p  = 0.028). Students especially valued the hands-on practice and peer role-play, which improved their competencies in point location and clean needle technique. Interview findings also revealed areas for improvement, including allocating more time for practice and adopting a more gradual increase in learning content. Conclusion The acupuncture training program improved students’ clinical competencies including clean needle technique, point location finding, and communication skills. This systematic approach to acupuncture education offers a replicable model for integrating traditional practices with evidence-based instructional design. The findings support broader implementation in acupuncture education programs and warrant investigation of long-term skill retention and cross-cultural applicability to advance global acupuncture training standards.

Aeroponic and NFT system optimization for lettuce: effects of flow rate and nutrient source on water use efficiency, growth, and profitability

Differentiated impact of social and non-social content in Alexithymia: A facial thermal infrared imaging study

Alexithymia, a difficulty in processing and expressing emotions, is associated with socio-emotional challenges and altered autonomic responses. This raises the question of whether cognitive (CA) and affective (AA) alexithymia can be differentiated based on parasympathetic and sympathetic indices. This study explores the reactivity of CA and AA individuals to social and non-social emotional stimuli. Participants, categorized as non-alexithymic (NA), CA, or AA based on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire, completed assessments on empathy, social phobia, depression, and anxiety. They viewed images from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS), varying in emotional (unpleasant, neutral, and pleasant) and social (with humans, without humans) content, and evaluated them at the end of the experiment. Heart rate variability (HRV) and facial infrared thermal imaging (fITI) were recorded during image presentation. Psychometric analysis revealed higher social phobia avoidance and depression scores in CA compared to AA, and higher trait anxiety in CA compared to both AA and NA. CA and NA participants scored higher on empathic personal distress than AA. At the autonomic level, NA participants exhibited increased HF-HRV and decreased LF-HRV in response to emotional social stimuli, whereas CA and AA groups displayed no HRV modulation. Thermal responses revealed decreased nose temperature for non-social stimuli in CA, while AA showed the opposite pattern. HRV and fITI measures highlight distinct autonomic reactivity to socio-emotional stimulation and thus effectively differentiate cognitive and affective alexithymia. These physiological findings reinforce the psychometric distinction between CA and AA, suggesting tailored interventions for alexithymic disorders.

Optimal fractional order PID-load frequency controller for multi-interconnected microgrids including renewable energy and storage system

DNA as a quantum system in evolution

Time may be viewed as an emergent consequence of increasing information entropy. I explore a toy quantum‑information model in which DNA is treated as an open quantum system. In this framework, weak, time‑dependent perturbations (potentially arising from thermal fluctuations, ionic microfields, metabolic noise, or electromagnetic signals) bias the micro‑timing of events during replication and repair. These slight timing shifts can influence the fate of transient electronic and protonic configurations (including short‑lived tautomeric states driven by proton‑transfer tunnelling), subtly altering mutation probabilities. To test this idea, I map nucleotides in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome to constrained qubit states and quantify informational structure using Shannon and von Neumann entropies and coding to non‑coding correlation metrics. Simulations of Hamiltonian dynamics under physiologically plausible perturbations show that real genomic segments exhibit distinctive dynamical signatures compared with controls. I also examine a variant in which a weak, slowly varying external signal is introduced as a background “beat” against which DNA dynamics can be compared. Because a Doppler shift in electromagnetic waves encodes the flow of time through the relative motion of source and observer, a cosmic microwave background (CMB) with a tiny frequency drift provides a conceptual clock and a source of informational entropy: it feeds a time‑correlated input into the DNA quantum system, allowing the molecule to sample cosmic time and translate it into a biological scale by modulating tunnelling probabilities and thus mutation patterns. This CMB‑inspired drive is simply a convenient illustration; the model does not rely on it, and other sources of weakly structured entropy could be tested. Across simulations, sequence‑dependent responses to both intrinsic and structured perturbations generate testable predictions: changing the structure or timing of these weak perturbations should produce reproducible shifts in mutation spectra. This framework connects cellular ageing and evolution to the flow of cosmic time and suggests experiments to probe DNA’s sensitivity to time‑dependent perturbations.

Modelling the cleanup of the North Pacific Garbage Patch based on 3 years of operational experience

Abstract Ending plastic pollution in the marine environment requires reducing the sources, preventing the plastics from entering the ocean, and removing the persistent legacy pollution accumulated in areas such as the North Pacific Garbage Patch (NPGP). This study assesses the feasibility and costs of collecting plastics accumulated in the NPGP during a 10 year-period, starting in 2027. The cleanup method consists of a fleet of U-shaped net systems towed behind two vessels funneling the plastic towards a retention zone which is periodically emptied. The background plastic mass concentration at the surface is based on a dispersal model calibrated on the results of field operations, and specifically on measurements performed during 72 collection periods which, between August 2021 and November 2024, led to the removal of a cumulated mass of 372,733 kg of plastics. The study evaluates the impact of the number of cleanup systems, the growth of the mass of plastics in the NPGP, the system’s retention efficiency, and how the systems are steered through the NPGP. Cost estimates are derived from vessel types, market rates, and past operational expenses. Results indicate that, after a decade, more than 80% of the total mass of plastics (> 1.5 cm) of the NPGP baseline can be eliminated, with up to 180 kt of plastics removed from an area covering an average of 1.6 M km 2 . This target could be reached at a cost of €1.8 billion in an optimal scenario, representing a negligible fraction (< 1%) of the value of the ecosystem services threatened by plastic pollution in this oceanic region for the next century.

Multi-objective Big Bang Big Crunch framework for reliable rice disease and variety classification with conditional calibration

Deploying rice disease detectors in the field remains challenging because models that are accurate in the lab are often poorly calibrated and provide limited uncertainty estimates, raising the risk of costly misclassification. This paper proposes a multi-objective Big-Bang Big-Crunch (MO-BBBC) framework that jointly performs disease detection and variety classification while optimizing six deployment-oriented criteria: classification error, calibration quality, uncertainty estimation, model size, inference latency, and energy consumption. The proposed framework presents conditional temperature scaling , an adaptive scheme that mitigates over-calibration and preserves reliability. The framework is implemented in Python on a lightweight two-headed classifier and evaluated on the Paddy Doctor dataset, MO-BBBC base framework achieves 90.6% disease accuracy and 97.9% variety accuracy; improves calibration to A E C E = 0.0138   ( ≈ 70   % better than strong post-hoc baselines); achieves micro-AUC of 0.994/0.999 and micro-AP of 0.961/0.994 (disease/variety); delivers robust OOD detection (AUROC = 0.887/0.886); and supports real-time inference at ≈ 0.48    ms and 0.47    ms per 64-sample batch on CPU/GPU with Monte Carlo Dropout uncertainty. The resulting Pareto set enables practitioners to trade accuracy for efficiency and reliability, narrowing the gap between prototype validation and field deployment in precision agriculture.

Outcomes of a bedside ultrasound-guided peripherally-inserted central catheter placement across critically-ill older patients

Background An ultrasound (US)-guided peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is a thin, flexible tube inserted into a vein in the upper arm and then guided into a large vein near the heart, using US for precise vein location. We conducted this single-center, retrospective study to describe outcomes of a bedside US-guided PICC across critically-ill older patients in a single small-volume center in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting in Korea. Methods We included 452 Korean older ICU patients aged ≥60 years who received PICC at our hospital between January of 2021 and December of 2024. A logistic regression analysis with odds ratio (OR) was performed to identify risk factors of the non-optimal position of catheter tip. The overall PICC-related infection-free survival was expressed as mean±standard error, for which 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were provided and the statistical significance was analyzed using the log-rank test. The corresponding Kaplan-Meier survival and hazards were plotted as a curve. Results There were a total of 13 cases (2.88%) of the PICC-related infection. Of these, there were five cases (1.1%) of PICC-related bloodstream infection. A total of 421 patients (93.1%) had optimal positions of the PICC tip. A logistic regression analysis showed that male sex (OR 0.202; 95% CI 0.078–0.521, p  = 0.001), the length of a catheter (OR 0.786; 95% CI 0.683–0.904, p  = 0.001) and right side (OR 4.415; 95% CI 1.649–11.824, p  = 0.003) were significant risk factors of non-optimal positions of the catheter. Time-to-events are estimated at 56.29 ± 0.98 days (95% CI 54.37–58.21). Moreover, survival rates are estimated to reach 0.918 ± 0.032 (95% CI 0.858–0.983) at 31 days of the PICC use. Conclusions We describe outcomes of a bedside US-guided PICC across critically-ill older patients in a single small-volume center in an ICU setting in Korea.

Genetic, epigenetic and metabolite variation in peripheral European Yew (Taxus baccata L.) populations at an unexplored part of the species natural distribution

Taxanes form effective anticancer agents, which are found in the leaves and bark of the yew tree ( Taxus L.). Paclitaxel (Taxol®) and related taxanes are widely used in cancer therapy. Due to the high demand of taxanes, there is strong pharmaceutical interest in evaluating unexplored population diversity as a potential genetic and biochemical resource. Three peripheral Greek Taxus baccata L . populations (Mt Cholomon, Mt Olympus and Mt Vourinos) were investigated to assess genetic (microsatellite markers), epigenetic (methylation sensitive amplified markers) and chemodiversity (targeted LC-MS/MS analysis of five major taxanes) variation. Taxane concentration varied significantly among populations and seasons. The dominant compound in needles was 10-deacetylbacatin III (DAB), ranging from 267.8 (Mt Vourinos) to 517.6 (Mt Olympus) mg kg -1 dw. Substantial genetic diversity (AR = 5.00; He = 0.537) and significant population differentiation (Fst = 0.153) were detected, while epigenetic analyses showed moderate haploid epigenetic diversity (H epi  = 0.051) and comparable levels of DNA methylation across populations. Multivariate analyses indicated clear population structuring in genetic and metabolomic profiles, whereas epigenetic variation was less strongly structured. Together, these results demonstrate pronounced spatial and seasonal variation in taxane production, alongside considerable genetic differentiation, and sufficient levels of total methylation, suggesting a potential capacity for responses to future climatic change. Our findings highlight peripheral Greek populations as valuable genetic resources for conservation and breeding aimed at sustainable taxane production.

Hippocampal transcriptome profiling reveals status epilepticus-induced early changes in gene expression mainly implicating in neuroinflammation and immune responses linked to microglial dysfunction

Status epilepticus (SE) is a severe type of epileptic seizure and induces molecular and cellular changes in the brain tissues which contribute to neuron injury. Here we used RNA sequencing to determine changes in hippocampal gene expression in pilocarpine-induced SE mice at 3-hour (SE-3h) and 24-hour (SE-24h) time points, a crucial stage of SE-induced brain acute damage. A total of 366 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from the SE-3h hippocampus and 570 DEGs from the SE-24h hippocampus, and most of them were up-regulated upon SE induction. Bioinformatical analyses showed that, compared to SE-3h up-regulated genes with poor scores in functional and pathway enrichment, the SE-24h up-regulated genes were predominantly enriched in inflammatory and immune response, positive regulation of response to external stimuli and inflammatory response (GO function), and Microglia pathogen phagocytosis pathway and Tyrobp causal network in microglia (WikiPathway). Specifically, a subset of DEGs such as Tyrobp , C1qc , Itgb2 , Ncf2 , and Nckap1l involved in the two pathways are present in the inflammatory and immune cascades. Therefore, this study delineates early altered transcriptional profiles in the hippocampus after SE, and highlights up-regulation of a subset of genes might be involved in the activation of microglia-mediated inflammatory and immune responses linked to the early pathogenesis of SE-induced brain injury.

Analysis of 6-week mortality and influencing factors in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis complicated by acute gastrointestinal bleeding

Objective To explore the 6-week mortality of acute gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis and to analyze its influencing factors. Methods This was a retrospective study. We retrospectively screened 232 patients with liver cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis complicated by acute gastrointestinal bleeding who were admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 1，2020 to November30，2022. Of the 232 patients, 75 had their first bleeding. Additionally, the patients were divided into a mortality group (n = 34) and a non-mortality group (n = 198) based on whether they died within 6 weeks of the onset of gastrointestinal bleeding. Baseline general information, laboratory indicators, and other clinical data of the two groups were compared, and the independent risk factors for 6-week mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis complicated by acute gastrointestinal bleeding were analyzed. Results There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of the etiology of liver cirrhosis, HCC, 5-day treatment failure rate (8.62%), TBiL, ALT, BUN, Na, eGFR, DBiL, AST, GGT, ALP, CR, WBC, PLT, and PT(p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated ALP levels showed a positive association with 6-week mortality [OR=1.01, 95% CI (1.01, 1.01), p < 0.01] and 5-day treatment failure showed a positive association with 6-week mortality [OR=11.27, 95% CI (3.45, 36.81),p < 0.01]. Conclusion Elevated ALP and 5-day treatment failure were found to be independent risk factors for 6-week mortality in patients with cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis complicated by acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

Malaria parasitemia and its association with liver function parameters, and lipid profile among malaria-infected adult patients in western Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study

Background Malaria poses a public health problem because it manifests anemia, renal and liver dysfunction, Jaundice, and dyslipidemia. Therefore, the study aimed to assess malaria parasitemia and its association with liver function parameters and lipid profile in Assosa town, Ethiopia from December 23/2021 to March 4/2022. Methods Institution-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 302 study participants (151 study groups and 151comparison group) who were selected by consecutive sampling technique. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaires and entered using Epi Data version 4.6. Venous blood specimen was collected from all study individuals and tested for selected parameters by Cobas 311 automated clinical chemistry analyzer. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Chi-square, t-test, and ANOVA were used to assess the association using STATA software version 14. Results A total of 302 study participants comprising 212(70.2%) males were included. Majority (70.86%) of malaria patients were infected with P. falciparum (The parasitic densities were reported with 30.46%, 46.36%, and 23.18% for low, moderate, and high parasitemia, respectively. The mean value of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and serum bilirubin was significantly higher in malaria patients than in apparently healthy controls (p < 0.001). However, the mean value of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower in malaria patients than controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion and Recommendation Liver function tests and lipid profile should be assessed for malaria infected individuals in order to prevent malaria complications.

An empirical study of drone medical logistics transportation in a multi-campus model of Chinese public hospitals: Real-world data-driven validation of timeliness and application effects

In the real-world application scenario of China’s public hospital multi-site operation model, this study systematically evaluates the feasibility, timeliness, and stability of drone-based medical logistics transportation between hospital campuses, providing high-quality empirical evidence for optimizing cross-campus medical supply transfer processes. This retrospective analysis collected complete drone medical logistics transport data between two campuses of Deyang People’s Hospital from April 8 to July 30, 2024. The primary outcome measure was drone transport time per unit distance (min/km), compared with road traffic time per unit distance measured by three mainstream navigation apps (Baidu Maps, Amap, and Tencent Map) at different time points. Intergroup differences were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test, with effect sizes calculated via Cliff’s Delta. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. A total of 750 valid drone flight records were included, covering a distance of (5.95 ± 0.03) km with a unit time of (1.64 ± 0.14) min/km. The unit time for drone transportation was significantly lower than that measured by Baidu Maps (2.06 ± 0.12 min/km), Amap (2.01 ± 0.12 min/km), and Tencent Map (2.03 ± 0.09 min/km) at the 0-point road traffic unit time (all P < 0.001). At all nine time points monitored by Tencent Map, the unit time per kilometer exceeded that of the UAV. During the 10:00 peak period, Tencent Map recorded a unit time of (4.12 ± 0.09) min/km, with the UAV achieving a time savings rate of 60.2%. Mann-Whitney U tests revealed significant differences across all time points (P < 0.001), with Cliff’s Delta absolute values consistently exceeding 0.75, indicating extremely large effect sizes. Drone-based medical logistics demonstrated significant advantages in timeliness and stability under the multi-campus model of urban hospitals, particularly during peak traffic congestion periods. This study provides crucial empirical support for establishing an efficient, intelligent medical logistics system, holding significant implications for enhancing healthcare service efficiency and improving public health emergency response capabilities.

The experiences of autistic medical students in relation to seeking and receiving online support: A phenomenological study

Background Previous studies have reported that autistic medical students experienced specific challenges throughout their medical studies, including isolation, bullying, and discrimination from their institutions – alongside receiving minimal support. Despite this, it has been argued that many autistic characteristics are well aligned with practising medicine, bringing key benefits to patient care. ‘ Autistic Medical Students’ (AMS) is an online international support group, containing over 200 members – a sub-group of Autistic Doctors International. This study aims to explore the experiences of AMS membership and if membership has any wider impacts on medical studies or wellbeing. Within this, it aims to explore the experiences that led to seeking this support. Methods This was a qualitative study. Five participants from AMS were recruited. Semi-structured, 1:1 interviews were conducted via Zoom. These were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Results Group experiential themes included: medical culture, belonging, safety, ability to thrive, internalised optimism for the future, and real modelling. Participants experienced systemic ableism and weaponised professionalism, which led to a sense of helplessness for their futures. AMS had a positive impact on participants. They experienced a sense of belonging, alongside an improved ability to both recognise their own needs and implement accommodations. They also felt better able to advocate for support. ‘Real modelling’ from peers and autistic doctors motivated participants in their wider medical studies. Of particular benefit was that AMS uniquely encompassed both being autistic and a medical student, making its specific support invaluable. Discussion Findings were in keeping with previous research. Autistic peer-to-peer communication enabled development of social relationships and self-identity. Autistic medical students and doctors exhibit traits that make them assets to medicine. This study highlights the need for knowledge, acceptance and representation of autism within medical education – to enable autistic medical students to thrive.

Prevalence and determinants of depression, anxiety, and stress among the elderly population in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Background Mental health issues are commonly faced by the elderly population aged 60 and above, who are influenced by various risk factors, i.e., financial, family, social, and others that impact their quality of life. This study intends to identify the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among the elderly population of Bangladesh and their associated factors. Method This cross-sectional study collected primary data from a sample of 400 elderly individuals aged 60 and above across four districts in Bangladesh. Depression, anxiety, and stress levels were measured using the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PSS-10 scales, respectively. The ordinal logistic regression model is fitted to evaluate the effects of socio-demographic factors, and a confirmatory factor analysis is used to identify risk factors via a structural equation model. Result Findings revealed that 5.3% of elderly people have severe depression, 9.3% severe anxiety, and 4.75% high perceived stress. Older adults with poor health status were more likely to suffer from severe depression and anxiety. Social isolation and loneliness influence depression in old age. Significant risk factors include poor medical support from family and inadequate family relationships as age progresses, social discrimination and prejudice, and perceived social status. These factors were significantly associated with mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and stress) among the elderly population aged 60 and above. Conclusion Depression, anxiety, and stress are significant mental health issues among older people in Bangladesh. To ensure their quality of life, it is essential to diagnose and address these mental health problems to establish effective policies.