Browse Articles

Morphomolecular characterization and statistical assessment of environmental associations with Diplectanum infestation in cultured European sea bass and bath treatment efficacy

Abstract Monogenean infections are one of the most economically important parasitic constraints in marine aquaculture; however, knowledge remains limited regarding their genetic diversity, epidemiology, and sustainable management strategies. This study investigated the prevalence, morphomolecular characterization, environmental drivers, and eco-friendly control of naturally occurring monogenean infections in European sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) from two marine farms along the Egyptian Mediterranean coast between February and May 2024. Infected fish exhibited respiratory distress, skin darkening, anorexia, and progressive emaciation under heavy infestation. Examination of gill smears identified an elongate-oval monogenean exhibiting morphological features consistent with D. laubieri . Phylogenetic analysis of partial 18 S rRNA gene sequences placed the specimen within the Diplectanum clade, corroborating its taxonomic affiliation (GenBank accession no. PZ253293.1). Parasitological indices varied significantly between farms, with a higher prevalence recorded at Farm 2 (75.00 ± 6.87%) than at Farm 1 (65.56 ± 7.51%) ( p  < 0.05). Seasonally, the highest prevalence occurred in February, followed by a decline in April and a slight increase in May. Water quality analysis indicated a progressive rise in temperature on both farms, reaching 25.40 ± 0.16 °C in May. In contrast, Farm 2 was characterized by higher salinity, pH, and total ammonia levels, together with lower dissolved oxygen concentrations. Correlation analysis demonstrated a strong negative association between parasite prevalence and water temperature ( r  = − 0.736, p  < 0.05), whereas no significant correlations were observed with salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, or total ammonia. In trials of treating the affected fish and based on toxicity testing, the safe exposure threshold for Y. schidigera extract was established at 150–200 µg/L, while fenbendazole exhibited a safe exposure limit of 20 µg/L. The experimental cohabitation successfully reproduced the infection, achieving a prevalence of 90% by day 14. Comparative therapeutic efficacy trials demonstrated the superior performance of Y. schidigera relative to fenbendazole under the present study conditions, with parasite reduction rates of 80.4% and 68.5%, respectively, accompanied by a lower incidence of mortality. Collectively, these findings highlight the combined influence of environmental conditions on monogenean infection dynamics and support phytogenic-based Y. schidigera as a promising eco-friendly alternative for parasite control in marine aquaculture systems.

Ultrasound-guided sacral multifidus plane block versus caudal epidural block for postoperative analgesia in pediatric hypospadias surgery: A randomized double-blind controlled trial

Introduction Hypospadias repair is associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain in children. Caudal epidural block is traditionally considered the standard regional anesthetic technique for sub-umbilical pediatric surgeries; however, its duration of analgesia and potential adverse effects may be limited. The sacral multifidus plane block (SMPB) is a novel ultrasound-guided fascial plane technique that may provide prolonged analgesia with fewer complications. The aim of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided sacral multifidus plane block versus caudal epidural block in children undergoing hypospadias repair. Materials and methods This prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial included 30 children aged 1–5 years (ASA I–II) scheduled for hypospadias repair. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either SMPB (n = 15) or caudal block (n = 15), using 1 mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine. The primary outcome was time to first rescue analgesia. Secondary outcomes included postoperative FLACC pain scores, total rescue analgesic consumption, intraoperative fentanyl requirements, hemodynamic variables, and block-related complications. Pain was assessed for 24 hours postoperatively. Results Demographic and intraoperative characteristics were comparable between groups. Time to first rescue analgesia was significantly longer in the SMPB group compared with the caudal group (14.8 ± 3.6 vs 9.3 ± 4.2 hours, p = 0.004). FLACC scores were significantly lower in the SMPB group at 6 and 12 hours postoperatively (p = 0.019 and p = 0.001, respectively). Total diclofenac consumption was lower in the SMPB group (0.40 ± 0.20 mg/kg vs 0.70 ± 0.24 mg/kg, p = 0.010). Intraoperative fentanyl requirements and hemodynamic parameters were similar. No major complications were observed. Conclusion Ultrasound-guided sacral multifidus plane block provides longer-lasting postoperative analgesia and reduces rescue analgesic requirements compared with caudal epidural block in pediatric hypospadias surgery, with a comparable safety profile. SMPB may represent a reliable alternative to caudal block for postoperative pain management in this population.

Hole‐Activated Lattice Oxygen Enables Pt‐Free Propane Dehydrogenation by Eliminating the Hydrogen Recombination Bottleneck

ABSTRACT Gallia–alumina (Ga x Al 2− x O 3 ) enables efficient propane dehydrogenation (PDH) via C–H activation at Ga–O pairs, but the overall rate is limited by sluggish hydrogen recombination to H 2 . Although Pt promotion alleviates this bottleneck, it introduces drawbacks including precious‐metal cost and regeneration‐induced sintering. Here, we show that Mg doping into Ga x Al 2− x O 3 electronically activates lattice oxygen to enable rapid H 2 evolution directly on the oxide, eliminating the need for Pt promotion. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals the formation of hole‐type oxygen species upon Mg incorporation, while kinetic/isotopic measurements and theoretical calculations demonstrate substantially accelerated hydrogen recombination kinetics. In situ infrared spectroscopy further shows rapid depletion of surface hydrogen species, consistent with facilitated H 2 formation from Ga–H and O–H intermediates. At 853 K, Mg‐doped Ga x Al 2− x O 3 exhibits a threefold higher propylene formation rate than the undoped material at 97% propylene selectivity, outperforming benchmark PtSn/ γ ‐Al 2 O 3 and CrO x / γ ‐Al 2 O 3 catalysts. Furthermore, the fully oxide‐based catalyst shows the slowest deactivation over 30 dehydrogenation–regeneration cycles. These findings establish lattice‐oxygen electronic engineering as a practical strategy for achieving both high activity and exceptional regeneration stability in oxide‐catalyzed dehydrogenation chemistry.

Secure distributed multimodal biometric authentication using blockchain with 3D face and 3D ear recognition

Feedback and feedforward methods in medical and higher health education: A scoping review

Background Programmatic assessment (PA) in health professions education positions continuous feedback and feedforward as key mechanisms for competence development. Feedback focuses on prior performance, whereas feedforward provides future-oriented guidance that supports agency and self-regulated learning. Although their educational value is widely acknowledged, implementation remains challenging and often emphasises performance outcomes rather than action and reflection. Methods A scoping review was conducted to address the research question: “How are feedback and feedforward methods operationalised within assessment situations in medical and higher health professions education? The ECLIPSE framework (Expectation, Client group, Location, Impact, Professionals, Service) guided question formulation and searches in Embase, ERIC and PubMed. Articles published from 2015 up to February 2026 were included. Data were synthesized using descriptive and thematic synthesis. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Results Database searches identified 3723 records. After deduplication and screening, 91 full texts were assessed, of which 14 studies met inclusion criteria. All studies involved medical students. Five methodological families were identified: expert feedback, self-feedback, peer feedback, video-based feedback, and feedforward. Expert and video-based approaches were consistently associated with performance gains, whereas self- and peer feedback supported reflection and learner agency but showed variable outcomes. Feedforward was rarely explicitly described, although several interventions incorporated forward-looking elements targeting performance. Conclusion Current assessment practices rely on a limited set of recurring methods, with feedforward, predominantly focused on performance, often remaining implicit. Making feedforward explicit and actionable within assessment cycles might strengthen competence development, promote learner agency, and support continuous improvement in PA context.

Quantifying Microenvironment Effect on Metal Electronic Structure With Experimentally Accessible Descriptor: Examples of MOF‐Incorporated Pt Catalysts

ABSTRACT The chemical microenvironment surrounding metal nanoparticles (NPs) plays crucial roles in regulating their electronic structures. However, due to the lack of quantitative descriptor, such effect has been understood largely in a qualitative manner. To address this issue, a series of reticular metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) with diverse functional groups (MIP‐206‐X, X = OH, OCH 3 , H, Cl, and F) were synthesized, and Pt NPs with similar sizes and loadings were incorporated to afford Pt@MIP‐206‐X for ammonia borane methanolysis. X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) was adopted to determine the d‐orbital occupancy of Pt, and the electronic contribution from MOFs was quantified as the descriptor Δe , which was demonstrated to accurately describe the Pt‐methanol adsorption strength (quantified by activation entropy and methanol desorption temperature) and exhibit an excellent linear correlation with catalytic activity. Isotopic analyses and DFT calculations revealed that a larger Δe strengthens methanol adsorption on Pt, promotes O─H bond cleavage as the rate‐determining step (RDS), and leads to enhanced activity.

MSAFNet: A multi-scale attention fusion network for automated neonatal pain facial expression recognition with clinical validation

Motivations and segmentation of instagram users as a social network site: Their sociodemographic profiles, satisfaction and loyalty

Millions of Internet users interact daily with social network sites (SNS), and these figures are still expected to grow. This study aimed to identify the motivations and typology of different types of Instagram users, specifically pursuing these objectives: (1) to identify the motivations that lead individuals to use Instagram as a SNS; (2) to establish user segments based on these motivations; (3) to determine how these segments relate to user satisfaction and loyalty; and (4) to explore the relationship between the identified segments and key socio‑economic and demographic variables. The study was carried out through an online survey composed of 369 participants. For data analysis, factorial analysis, the K-means segmentation method, and the Chi-square test were used. Four motivational dimensions in the use of Instagram were identified, related to “Curiosity, Creativity, and Documentation,” “Self-expression,” “Socialization,” and “Recreation.” In addition, three distinct segments of Instagram users were identified based on their underlying motivations: “Enthusiasts”, “Spectators”, and “Passive Users”. Among them, the Enthusiasts emerged as the group displaying the highest levels of satisfaction and loyalty within the platform. The study further assessed the socio-economic and demographic profiles of each segment. This study offers original value by categorizing users based on their motivations, examining how these motivations relate to satisfaction and loyalty, and identifying the socio-economic and demographic profiles of the different user segments. The findings contribute to strategic frameworks for digital marketing and audience segmentation, providing organizations and businesses, particularly those that use Instagram as a communication, sales, or business channel, with actionable insights. Overall, this research establishes a solid foundation for future studies and practical applications in social media strategy, consumer behavior, and digital marketing.

Borate‐Enabled, Scalable Copper Catalysis for Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling of Pyridylborons With Unactivated Alkyl Bromides

ABSTRACT Alkylpyridines are ubiquitous structural motifs in pharmaceuticals, natural products, and materials science, with pyridylboron reagents ranking among the most frequently employed organoborons—underscoring the high demand for efficient cross‐coupling methodologies to access these valuable scaffolds. However, C(sp 2 )–C(sp 3 ) Suzuki–Miyaura couplings involving pyridylborons are far less developed, primarily due to catalyst inhibition by N ‐heterocycles and the inherent instability of the boron reagents. Herein, we report a borate‐enabled copper‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of pyridylborons with alkyl bromides that effectively addresses these challenges. The protocol features broad substrate scope across diverse pyridylborons and alkyl halides, excellent functional group tolerance, compatibility with complex molecule functionalization, and scalability up to 100‐mmol, retaining good efficiency—thus providing a practical platform for alkylpyridine synthesis. Mechanistic studies reveal that the borate additive interacts with the base to form a bulky borate anion, which likely prevents the catalyst from inhibition.

Quantum synchronization enhanced via photon hopping in an optomechanical system

Abstract In this paper, we study quantum synchronization in a hybrid optomechanical system that includes photon hopping and atomic ensembles. The covariance matrix method is used to examine synchronization between cavity–cavity, cavity–atom, and cavity–mechanical subsystems. Our results demonstrate that strong photon hopping improves synchronization by enabling efficient transfer of energy and phase between the coupled modes. Furthermore, we reveal that synchronization exhibits a non-monotonic dependence on both the atomic coupling strength and system detuning, initially increasing up to a critical threshold before gradually declining. In contrast, decoherence effects especially atomic decay rate reduce synchronization by destroying phase coherence. While cavity-mechanical synchronization is heavily suppressed by an increasing thermal phonon number, cavity-cavity and cavity-atomic synchronization remain uniquely robust against thermal noise. Ultimately governed by the competition between coherent coupling and environmental dissipation, these results provide valuable insights into controlling quantum synchronization for future applications in quantum information processing, precision metrology, and scalable hybrid quantum networks.

Cultural tightness and scientific capacity: A cross-national study of their synergistic and conflicting roles in COVID-19 pandemic outcomes

Despite their advanced scientific capacity, many nations experienced high COVID-19 cases and deaths during the pre-vaccine phase of the pandemic. In contrast, some countries with tighter cultural norms, where social behaviour is more strongly regulated, appear to have controlled the spread of the virus more effectively. This creates a paradox: the same norm strength that may support compliance with public-health measures may also be less conducive to ideation, creativity, and scientific output. While prior research has associated cultural tightness with lower COVID-19 cases and deaths, its relationship with scientific capacity remains underexplored. This study examines associations between scientific capacity, cultural tightness, and COVID-19 outcomes using cross-national data. Findings show that scientific capacity has no robust direct protective association with pre-vaccine COVID-19 cases or deaths once cultural tightness and structural covariates are included. In contrast, Gelfand’s measure of cultural tightness is consistently associated with lower cases and deaths. These findings suggest that scientific knowledge alone does not automatically translate into population-level protection, and that norm strength, behavioural coordination, and knowledge-to-action capacity may be important conditions of pandemic resilience.

Sterically Engineered Mo─V Cluster Catalyst for Switchable <i>Z</i> / <i>E</i> ‐Selective Alkyne Hydrophosphorylation

ABSTRACT Stereodivergent alkyne hydrophosphorylation represents a formidable challenge in synthetic chemistry, particularly for selective and tunable synthesis of ( Z )‐ and ( E )‐alkenylphosphine oxides. Herein, we report a steric hindrance–mediated strategy that achieves switchable Z / E selectivity via rational design of a metal–organic‐functionalized phosphovanadomolybdate [PMo 8 V 4 O 40 (VO) 2 ][(VO)(IM) 4 ] 3 ·5.5H 2 O (IM = 1‐methylimidazole), which features a highly congested steric environment. Steric repulsion between the cluster framework and substrate enables highly Z ‐selective hydrophosphorylation, affording β ‐( Z )‐alkenylphosphine oxides in up to 81% yield with Z / E ratio of 21:1. Incorporation of AgOAc as a stereochemical modulator switches the pathway to afford β ‐( E )‐products in up to 80% yield with E / Z ratios up to 15:1. This heterogeneous catalytic system exhibits broad substrate tolerance, accommodating a diverse range of terminal alkynes with excellent chemo‐ and regioselectivity, including in the functionalization of complex pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and natural products, and gram‐scale reactions with pharmaceutical substrates were achieved in this catalytic system. These findings not only provide practical solutions for stereodivergent hydrophosphorylation but also offer fundamental insights into steric control in transition metal–catalyzed transformations.

Informing optimal management strategies for an emerging disease across a risk gradient

Spatial intensity modelling of ISIS-related attacks using random forest regression: A GeoAI-based analysis of GTD data (2012–2019)

Spatial information is of crucial importance to understanding terrorist attacks and for security applications. Conventional risk assessments of terrorism are typically focused on retrospective identification of hotspots and may fail to fully account for complex spatial–temporal patterns. This research proposes an approach to modelling the relative intensity of ISIS/ISIL attacks across space using Random Forest regression, a type of Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI). A subset of the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) from 2012–2019 is screened to develop a spatially aggregated data set with geographic coordinates, temporal information and some incident details. The modelling strategy estimates the intensity of events in a grid cell, with values normalized based on the count of previous events, allowing for an analysis of spatial patterns rather than the prediction of future events. Modelling results show that the Random Forest model captures spatial variability in historical attack intensity with a high level of fit (R² = 0.84; RMSLE = 0.213). Analysis of variable importance suggests spatial and temporal features play an important role, but this is contextualised by the spatial construction of the response variable. The research presents a repeatable GeoAI process for modelling spatial patterns of terrorism incidents and offers an interpretable model for exploratory spatial analysis and scenario-based spatial analysis development. The approach is not suitable for real-time prediction, but aids in understanding historical spatial concentration patterns in a complex threat environment.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Mechanically Planar Chiral Rotaxanes and Mechanical Geometric Isomers From a Macrocyclic Ketone‐Based Prochiral Rotaxane

ABSTRACT Rotaxanes, a classical class of mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs), can exhibit unique mechanical stereochemistry even when their individual components are stereochemically trivial, as exemplified by mechanically planar chiral (MPC) and mechanical geometric isomer (MGI) rotaxanes. However, the facile and stereoselective synthesis of these intriguing rotaxane stereoisomers remains challenging, particularly through catalytic enantioselective methods. We herein describe the design of a macrocyclic ketone‐based prochiral rotaxane and the development of stereoselective methods to access both the MPC and MGI rotaxane stereoisomers from this common molecular platform. Specifically, an organocatalyzed asymmetric condensation between arylhydroxylamines and this prochiral rotaxane was developed to break overall molecular symmetry, affording the oxime ether‐containing MPC rotaxanes with good to high enantioselectivities. Extensive control experiments were conducted to elucidate the origin of enantioselectivity in this system. Furthermore, the oxime ether‐containing MPC rotaxanes underwent a two‐step Beckmann rearrangement to provide novel MPC rotaxanes with lactam‐containing macrocycles, with their enantiopurity largely retained. On the other hand, by tuning the reduction conditions applied to the same macrocyclic ketone‐based rotaxane, we achieved the diastereoselective reduction of the carbonyl group, which led to the formation of both mechanical geometric isomers of Schill‐type type 1 MGI rotaxanes, which have been relatively less explored to date.

A lightweight deep learning framework for image-based pothole classification and real-time video-based pothole detection

Patient satisfaction towards pharmacists’ services in the community pharmacies in the Hail region

Objectives Research on patient satisfaction with community pharmacy services in Saudi Arabia has mostly concentrated on large cities, leaving a significant gap in understanding these services within the Hail region. Evaluating patient satisfaction in Hail is essential to address regional service gaps in privacy and counseling. Thus, this study was designed to assess the patient satisfaction with community pharmacy services in the Hail region. Methods This cross-sectional study targeting the community pharmacy visitors in Hail region was conducted among 200 participants for a duration of three months (i.e., from 14 June 2024–29 September 2024). Patient satisfaction was assessed by a reliable and valid questionnaire. The instrument consisted of 17 items; and all of them were 5-point Likert scale responses (Poor = 1, Fair = 2, Good = 3, Very good = 4, Excellent = 5). To guarantee diverse geographic representation, 20 community pharmacies were purposefully chosen from several Hail City districts. In order to achieve balanced sample across all sites, a total of 200 participants were recruited, with roughly 10 patients joined from each Pharmacy. The data was analyzed for descriptive statistics using the SPSS, version 29.0. Results The majority of the 200 participants in this study (mean age of 37.5 years) were married (60.5%) and male (56.5%). More than half had only completed high school, and only 16% had insurance. Most of the patients (53%) consistently visited the same pharmacy. Pharmacist-patient relationships received the highest level of satisfaction, but accessibility—specifically, the availability of private consultation areas—received the lowest. Regular pharmacy visitors reported higher levels of satisfaction across multiple domains, whereas younger, male, single, better-educated, insured, and healthier patients had more favorable perceptions of medicine availability, highlighting disparities in demographic and health factors. Conclusion The majority of community pharmacy visitors were young adults, married, had a range of educational backgrounds, and frequently used the services without a prescription or health insurance. Overall, patient satisfaction was good; nevertheless, to further improve patient experience and access to pharmacy services, improvements in private consultation facilities and pharmaceutical pricing are required.

Amino Acid Simulated Host–Guest Systems With Full‐Color High‐Temperature Organic Afterglow

ABSTRACT Materials capable of retaining persistent luminescence at high temperatures have attracted extensive attention in recent years. However, because excited‐state excitons involved in radiative transitions are easily quenched at elevated temperatures, achieving efficient afterglow emission under high thermal conditions remains a significant challenge. To address this issue, stimulated by the special structure of amino acid, we introduce the strong interactions, amino–carboxylic acid type hydrogen‐bonding, into a host‐guest doped materials. By doping the guest molecule containing amino groups into the carboxyl‐rich host of butane‐1,2,3,4‐tetracarboxylic acid (denoted as host D), full‐color afterglow emission from blue to red is realized at temperatures above 430 K. Because the four carboxyl groups of host D form a highly dense and stable hydrogen‐bonded network in the solid state, the doped materials maintain their high‐temperature afterglow performance in various non‐hydrogen‐bond‐donating solvents. Benefiting from the full‐color persistent emission and temperature‐dependent afterglow lifetimes, the materials further enable multidimensional information encryption and transparent liquid flow direction marker applications. The design strategy and results provide useful insights for developing high‐temperature phosphorescent materials and highlight their broad potential across diverse platforms.

Assessing the applicability of the ICAO carbon emissions calculator at a Chinese plateau airport using operational data

Abstract The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Carbon Emissions Calculator (ICEC) is widely recognized as an authoritative tool for estimating aviation carbon footprints. However, its globally averaged static assumptions have not been systematically tested in regionally specific operational environments. This study takes Kunming Changshui International Airport (ZPPP)—a high-altitude hub in southwestern China—as a case study and empirically evaluates ICEC’s mapping mechanisms in a regional context using full‑year 2023 operational data from 113,937 flights. The results show that ICEC’s static distance correction does not capture the pronounced directional asymmetry and seasonal variation driven by the mid‑latitude westerly jet and its seasonal intensification. In summer, severe convective weather further induces high daily dispersion in flight times. Regarding emission allocation, passenger load factors exhibit directional asymmetry and seasonal patterns. The average body weight of Chinese adult passengers is approximately 30% lower than ICEC’s default value, and the increased proportion of children during holiday periods further reduces the average passenger mass. Cargo loads show extreme directional imbalance and significant heterogeneity across airlines. These multi‑level biases interact and accumulate, leading to systematic deviations in per‑passenger emission estimates depending on season, route, and airline. This study demonstrates that ICEC’s static assumptions, built upon globally averaged parameters, may produce multidimensional systematic biases when applied to the complex operational environment of a high-altitude airport in China. We recommend that future improvements to international carbon accounting tools introduce direction‑dependent distance corrections, dynamic load parameters, and region-specific passenger mass factors to enhance the fairness and scientific accuracy of emission calculations.

Does delayed exercise-based priming improve subsequent athletic performance? A systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis

This systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis examined whether delayed exercise-based priming improves subsequent athletic performance. Following PRISMA 2020 principles, 3,095 records were identified; after removing 1,107 duplicates, 1,988 unique records were screened, 212 full-text reports were assessed, 186 reports were excluded at eligibility, and 26 studies were included. Eighteen studies contributed 46 effect sizes to the quantitative synthesis. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2 principles calibrated for crossover exercise trials, and certainty was evaluated using GRADE. A three-level random-effects model showed a small positive average effect of delayed priming on subsequent performance (g = 0.232, 95% CI [0.092, 0.372], p = .002), with cluster-robust inference supporting the same conclusion (p = .004). The prediction interval crossed zero (−0.265 to 0.730), and the overall certainty of evidence was low. Delayed exercise-based priming can be used as a practical competition-day strategy when embedded in planned preparation windows, although protocol selection and athlete response should be checked in training before competition use.