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A study on the effect of CBSM-based psychological intervention on self-management ability and quality of life in colorectal cancer patients from the perspective of benefit finding: A quasi-experimental study

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly prevalent malignant tumor in China. Patients often experience negative emotions due to disease- and treatment-related stress, which impairs their ability to self-manage the illness. Benefit finding (BF) can improve patients’quality of life through cognitive restructuring. Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) has been proven to exert positive intervention effects on breast cancer patients, but relevant research on its application in Chinese CRC patients and its impact on their BF, quality of life and self-management ability remains scarce. Objectives The study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention programme based on CBSM model on benefit finding, self-management ability, and quality of life among postoperative CRC patients. Methods A single-center, non-randomized controlled trial (non-RCT) time series study was conducted among 72 CRC patients. They were divided into an intervention group (n = 36) and a control group (n = 36). The Benefit Finding Scale (BFS), Cancer Patient Self-management Assessment Scale (CPSAS), and Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System-Short Form (CARES-SF) scales were used to assess BF level, self-management ability, and quality of life, respectively. The control group received routine care, while the intervention group received an 8-week CBSM-based psychological intervention in addition to routine care. Baseline data were collected before the intervention, and post-test assessments were carried out at 1 and 3 months after the intervention. Results Of the 72 enrolled postoperative CRC patients, 67 (93.1%) completed the study, with an overall dropout rate of 6.94%. At 1 month (T1) and 3 months (T2) post-intervention, the intervention group had significantly higher total BF scores than the control group (T1: P = 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.57; T2: P < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.63). Total CPSAS scores in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group at T1 and T2 (T1: P = 0.007, Cohen’s d = 0.48; T2: P < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.66), though no significant between-group differences were observed in the dimensions of communication with medical staff and information management (all P > 0.05). While total CARES-SF scores (indicating fewer health-related issues when lower) in the intervention group were lower than those in the control group at T1 and T2, no statistically significant between-group differences were found (all P > 0.05). Correlation analyses in the intervention group showed a possible positive correlation between BF and self-management ability scores at T0, T1, and T2 (r = 0.706, 0.689, 0.551; all P < 0.001). BF scores were negatively correlated with CARES-SF scores at T0 and T2 (r = −0.295, −0.449; all P < 0.05). Self-management ability scores were negatively correlated with CARES-SF scores at T1 (r = −0.525, P < 0.05). Conclusion CBSM-based psychological intervention can effectively enhance BF levels, promote self-management ability, and improve health-related issues in postoperative CRC patients. Moreover, a mutually reinforcing and synergistic relationship exists among these three dimensions. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ChiCTR2400092570

Optical push broom effect by a moving refractive index front in a silicon Bragg waveguide

Abstract Here we report the first experimental demonstration of signal trapping by a refractive index front in a silicon waveguide with a periodic perturbation, the so-called optical push broom effect. The refractive index front generated by a fast pump pulse captures and confines the energy of a CW signal propagating with smaller group velocity near to the band gap of a Bragg grating introduced in the waveguide. The energy of the CW signal is shifted in frequency, accelerated to the front velocity and thus accumulated inside the front. In the experiment a 2 ps free carrier front was generated via two photon absorption of the pump in the silicon waveguide. It collects approximately a 30 ps long packet of the CW signal inside it. The presented effect can be utilized to compress signals in time and space.

Shared autonomic phenotype of long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

Introduction Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) are relatively common and disabling multisystem disorders that share overlapping features, including post-infectious onset and similar clinical manifestations such as brain fog, fatigue, muscle pain, and dysautonomia with orthostatic intolerance. These similarities suggest that Long COVID and ME/CFS may share common pathophysiological mechanisms, though the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, partly due to the difficulty in quantifying many of the symptoms. Materials and methods This retrospective study evaluated Long COVID and pre-COVID ME/CFS patients who completed autonomic testing between 2018 and 2023 at the Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital Autonomic Laboratory. The evaluations included autonomic tests (Valsalva maneuver, deep breathing, tilt-table test, and sudomotor function) with capnography and transcranial Doppler monitoring of cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) in the middle cerebral artery, neuropathic assessment through skin biopsies for small fiber neuropathy (SFN), invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (ICPET), and laboratory analyses covering metabolic, inflammatory, autoimmune, and hormonal profiles. Results A total of 143 Long COVID and 170 ME/CFS patients were analyzed and compared to 73 healthy controls and 290 patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). Tests revealed extensive similarities between Long COVID and ME/CFS, including reduced orthostatic CBFv (92%/88% in Long COVID/ME/CFS), mild-to-moderate widespread autonomic failure (95%/89%), presence of SFN (67%/53%), postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) (22%/19%), neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (15%/15%) and preload failure (96%/92%, assessed in 25/66 Long COVID/ME/CFS). Patients with hEDS exhibited more severe peripheral neurodegeneration compared to the other groups. Laboratory tests did not distinguish between the conditions. Conclusion Both Long COVID and ME/CFS demonstrate dysregulation in cerebrovascular blood flow, autonomic reflexes, and small fiber neuropathy, suggesting that these conditions may share a common underlying pathophysiology. However, differing distributions of findings in patients with hEDS raise the question of whether these conditions represent distinct but overlapping syndromes or reflect a shared underlying pathway. Further research is required to clarify the relationship between these conditions and the potential underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Pore-scale influence of surfactants on evaporation in a porous medium

Abstract Despite their widespread use in controlling interfacial behavior in porous media, the pore-scale influence of surfactants on evaporation is still not well understood. This study examines how varying concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) modify evaporation dynamics within a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic network. Evaporation experiments were conducted using pure water and SDS solutions at 0.10 wt.% (below the critical micelle concentration, CMC), 0.23 wt.% (at CMC), 0.3 wt.%, and 0.5 wt.% (above CMC). High-resolution imaging and image analysis enabled direct quantification of liquid saturation, meniscus evolution, and contact angle behavior. At the CMC, SDS reduced surface tension from 72 mN/m to 40 mN/m, lowered capillary entry pressures, and promoted air invasion that completed evaporation 47% faster than water. Below the CMC, partial surface tension reduction improved early drainage but sustained thin films that delayed complete evaporation. The results show that tuning surfactant concentration near the CMC effectively controls pore-scale drainage and evaporation kinetics. These findings provide a foundation for developing predictive models and optimizing the design of porous materials for applications involving controlled evaporation.

Uncertainties in measuring offshore gambling: A scoping review of Nordic approaches

Background A part of online gambling consumption takes place in offshore markets. Lack of regulatory control over offshore offers erodes many public policy and public health objectives. Channelling consumption from offshore markets to regulated markets is therefore used as justification in many gambling policy decisions. Yet, it is currently unknown how reliable existing estimates of the size of offshore markets are. Methods This scoping review investigates how offshore gambling markets are measured in the Nordic context and what kinds of uncertainties are involved in existing measures. We searched available estimates of offshore gambling markets from academic and grey literature in four Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden). The final sample consists of 32 reports. To supplement the results, we conducted key informant interviews and our own analysis of available data. Results 24 estimates concerned the monetary value of offshore gambling as a percentage of the full market. Nine estimates concerned the population prevalence of offshore gambling. In terms of methodologies, most studies reported figures from a private gambling intelligence company H2 gambling capital, either directly or combined with other data sources. Different methodological choices yielded different estimates. An important part of reports was funded by the gambling industry. Industry reports tended to have higher overall estimates of offshore gambling due to methodological choices. Conclusions The measurement of offshore gambling is a politically sensitive topic wrought with uncertainties. More reliable methods and figures are needed to better inform harm prevention and consumer protection in the online environment. Inaccurate offshore measures can be used as a tool for regulatory resistance. A transparent and scientifically validated measurement tool is needed to improve the evidence-base.

Unveiling the bioherbicidal potential of Eupatorium capillifolium (Lam.) Small for selective management of agricultural weeds

Optimizing board structure for ESG integrity: Nonlinear size effects and diversity moderation on greenwashing

This study examines the nonlinear relationship between board size and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) greenwashing and explores how board diversity moderates this association. Using panel data from Chinese A-share listed firms between 2009 and 2023, we employ quadratic fixed-effects regression models to test for an inverted U-shaped relationship. The results indicate that medium-sized boards (10–13 directors) exhibit the highest propensity for greenwashing. Further analyses reveal heterogeneous moderating effects across four dimensions of board diversity—gender, functional background, nationality, and age. Specifically, reaching a critical mass of at least two female directors or increasing functional diversity strengthens the inverted U-shaped relationship, whereas greater age or nationality diversity attenuates it. Drawing on fraud triangle theory, this study uncovers a previously overlooked nonlinear mechanism underlying board size and ESG greenwashing. Moreover, it identifies two distinct diversity-driven pathways: resource-based mechanisms (gender and functional diversity) and supervision-based mechanisms (nationality diversity). These findings extend existing literature on board governance and greenwashing and provide practical insights, suggesting that firms should avoid the “danger zone” associated with medium-sized boards and adopt targeted diversity strategies to mitigate ESG greenwashing risks.

Mechanical stability and thermodynamic properties of GeP and $$\hbox {GeP}_{3}$$ as battery anode materials from first principles

Abstract The demand for high-capacity anode materials beyond conventional graphite has intensified research into alternative candidates for next-generation lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. Germanium phosphides emerge as promising materials, combining germanium’s high theoretical capacity with phosphorus’s structural versatility and potential for improved cycling stability. We employ first-principles density functional theory calculations to systematically investigate the mechanical, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of three GeP polymorphs (monoclinic, tetragonal, cubic) and rhombohedral $$\hbox {GeP}_{3}$$ as potential anode materials. Our comprehensive analysis reveals that polymorphism critically influences anode performance through distinct mechanical and electronic characteristics. GeP-cubic exhibits mechanical instability, rendering it unsuitable for practical applications. GeP-tetragonal shows the highest stiffness (bulk modulus 79.4 GPa, Young’s modulus 170.7 GPa) but pronounced brittleness (Pugh’s ratio K/G = 1.06), potentially limiting cycling durability. GeP-monoclinic offers greater mechanical compliance (bulk modulus 32.1 GPa) but suffers from extreme elastic anisotropy (universal anisotropy index A $$_U$$ = 7.90), which may lead to non-uniform stress distribution and structural degradation during cycling. In contrast, $$\hbox {GeP}_{3}$$ demonstrates an optimal balance of properties with intermediate mechanical stiffness (bulk modulus 61.0 GPa, Young’s modulus 121.6 GPa), low elastic anisotropy (A $$_U$$ = 0.77). Electronic structure calculations reveal metallic conductivity for GeP-tetragonal, GeP-cubic, and $$\hbox {GeP}_{3}$$ , ensuring efficient charge transport during battery operation. These findings establish $$\hbox {GeP}_{3}$$ as the most promising candidate among the studied materials, offering balanced mechanical resilience, thermal robustness, and isotropic properties essential for stable long-term cycling performance in practical battery applications.

Enarodustat suppresses thymic stromal lymphopoietin expression via hypoxia-inducible factor-mediated c-Jun N-terminal kinases dephosphorylation

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelial-derived cytokine that induces type 2 immune responses through dendritic cell activation, and its aberrant regulation is implicated in TSLP-associated inflammatory disorders including atopic dermatitis. We previously demonstrated that hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) suppresses TSLP expression in human keratinocyte cells; however, the underlying mechanism remained unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the suppressive mechanism of enarodustat, an HIF-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor. Enarodustat selectively suppressed TSLP expression induced by the fibroblast-stimulating lipopeptide (FSL-1), a toll like receptor 2/6 agonist in HaCaT, a human keratinocyte cell line. Although both the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activator protein (AP)-1 contributed to FSL-1-induced TSLP induction, enarodustat preferentially attenuated AP-1 signaling by reducing c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. This JNK dephosphorylation required both HIF1α and HIF2α and was accompanied by increased expression of dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs), which target JNK for dephosphorylation. Collectively, our findings identify a previously uncharacterized HIF–DUSP–JNK axis that negatively regulates TSLP expression. This study provides mechanistic insight into how HIF activation shapes epithelial cytokine responses, offering a basis for understanding the pathogenesis of TSLP-associated diseases such as atopic dermatitis.

Mobility functional status ascertainment in electronic health records using large language models

Bond strength of thermoformed and 3D-printed aligners with universal primer versus one-step aligner adhesive with and without sandblasting: An in vitro study

Objectives Chairside bonding of auxiliaries directly to aligners can avoid remanufacturing trays, but optimal protocols may be substrate-specific across modern thermoformed and 3D-printed materials. This study aimed to compare bond strength and failure mode across six representative aligner materials using a universal primer-orthodontic adhesive combination and a one-step aligner adhesive, with and without sandblasting. Materials and methods Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and glycol-modified polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate (PCTG), together with three 3D-printed resins (TA-28, TC-85DAC, DCA), were prepared as 0.76-mm plates (n = 64). Specimens received alumina sandblasting or no treatment, then were bonded with either of two bonding strategies (n = 16). After thermocycling, bond strength was tested, and failures were scored by ARI. Two- and three-way ANOVA and proportional-odds modeling assessed effects (α = 0.05). Results Bond strength showed significant main effects of material and sandblasting, with significant material–sandblasting and material–primer interactions. The primer main effect was not significant. Post hoc tests confirmed substrate-specific rankings. PETG with Bond Aligner (non-sandblasted) reached 26.71 MPa, while DCA with universal primer (sandblasted) reached 22.36 MPa. Sandblasting generally increased bond strength, with some exceptions. Failure mode was material-dependent and not completely parallel with bond strength. Conclusions Bonding efficacy depends on the aligner substrate. For thermoformed trays, a one-step aligner adhesive is preferable, with sandblasting contraindicated for PETG but advantageous for more elastic TPU and PCTG. For 3D-printed trays, a universal primer-orthodontic adhesive combination performs more consistently, with sandblasting benefiting DCA and TA-28, whereas TC-85DAC performs slightly better without it.

Enhancing knowledge graph recommendations through deep reinforcement learning

The influence of digital transformation on chinese bank profitability performance

This paper aims to investigate the impact mechanisms of digital transformation in the banking sector under the rise of financial technology. Utilizing panel data from 116 commercial banks in China from 2011 to 2023, this empirical research employs regression analysis to explore how digital transformation in commercial banks can affect profitability performance. The findings reveal several key points: First, the implementation of digital transformation has not led to improvements in the profitability performance of most commercial banks; rather, it appears to reduce net interest margins and return on assets. Second, digital transformation primarily influences profitability performance through two bridging pathways—operational efficiency and non-performing loan ratio, with both playing a mediating role. Third, digital transformation and inclusive digital finance interact, affecting the profitability performance of banks, where the loan-to-deposit ratio plays a significant role. The heterogeneity of regional inclusive digital finance and banks’ loan-to-deposit ratios also influences the impact of corporate digital transformation on profitability performance. This research not only deepens the theoretical understanding of how digital transformation can help banks enhance their profitability performance but also provides valuable insights and recommendations for managers and operators in the banking sector during the digital transformation process.

Five years of oxen grazing enhances soil carbon and structure in alpine vineyards

Association between multi-metal co-exposure and thyroid cancer risk in Shanxi, China: A case-control study

Environmental metals are established thyroid carcinogens, yet how their co-exposure collectively reshapes carcinogenic mechanisms remains elusive. This study used ICP-MS to quantify plasma concentrations of 18 metals in 368 thyroid cancer patients and matched controls, with free thyroxine (FT4) levels abstracted from medical records. Subsequently, we applied integrative statistical modeling comprising WQS regression, BKMR modeling, interaction analysis, and causal mediation analysis to elucidate exposure-response relationships and mediating pathways. Cases exhibited elevated plasma levels of Cr, Co, Mn, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Sn. WQS regression prioritized Sn, Cd, Ni, and As as risk-contributing metals demonstrating positive weight values, while Sb, Pb, and Zn showed inverse associations. BKMR modeling visualized exposure-response relationships, indicating elevated thyroid cancer risks at higher quantiles of co-exposure. A critical synergistic interaction was identified between the Cd-Sn pair. Causal mediation analysis confirmed FT4 mediates 46–69.3% of thyroid cancer risk for Sn, Cd, Ni, and As. Collectively, these findings highlight the need to incorporate metal mixture surveillance and FT4-based endocrine pathway screening into precision prevention frameworks.

Culturable and unculturable periodontal microorganisms in non-small cell lung cancer: an exploratory analysis

Life cycle and techno-economic assessment of a solar-biogas hybrid dryer for banana drying

This study evaluates the environmental impact and economic viability of a solar-biogas hybrid dryer using life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis. The LCA, in accordance with ISO 14040/14044, employs a cradle-to-grave approach using the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint method. Results indicate a global warming potential of 1,100 kg CO₂-eq per functional unit, primarily from mild steel (69.4%) and aluminium (18.8%), representing 40–50% lower emissions than solar-electric and solar-diesel hybrid systems. Total energy consumption is 9,110 MJ per functional unit, with fossil fuels dominating (82.4%), while renewable energy use remains minimal. Human toxicity is significant, with mild steel and aluminium contributing 71.6% and 13.2% to carcinogenic toxicity, respectively. Integrating biogas reduces dependence on grid electricity and lowers operational emissions by 85%. Techno-economic analysis shows capital expenditure (CapEx) of USD 3,618.20 and operational expenditure (OpEx) of USD 9,458, with a payback period of 1.3 years and return on investment of 76.39%, indicating strong economic viability. Sensitivity analysis reveals that reductions in banana prices decrease operating expenses and the payback period, while reductions in biogas costs increase net cash flow and return on investment. The dryer demonstrates lower global warming potential and energy use compared with conventional dryers, supporting its adoption for sustainable agricultural processing in sub-Saharan Africa.

Epigenetic suppression of synovial inflammation and osteoclast differentiation in rheumatoid arthritis by I-BET762

Associations of menstrual health with school absenteeism and examination performance among Ugandan secondary school students: A prospective study

Background Relatively few studies have quantified the amount of school missed due to poor menstrual health, or the impact of poor menstrual health on examination performance. Methods We conducted secondary observational analyses from data nested within a cluster-randomised trial of a menstrual health intervention in 60 Ugandan secondary schools (The trial is registered as ISRCTN45461276). We used baseline data from trial participants in both arms, and endline data from the control arm participants. School absenteeism was estimated as the self-reported number of days absent due to menstruation per month and examination performance was assessed by an independently set assessment by the Uganda National Examination Board. We estimated adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) for associations with school absenteeism, using negative binomial regression adjusted for school-level clustering. We estimated adjusted standardised mean differences (aSMD) in examination scores using mixed-effects linear regression. Results Of the 3312 participants who reported menstruating in the past 6 months at baseline, 323 (9.8%) reported missing at least one day of school per month due to menstruation (mean days missed = 0.30 per month, 95%CI 0.27–0.34). Similarly, of the 1192 participants in the trial control arm seen at endline, 135 (11.3%) reported missing at least one day due to menstruation (mean days missed = 0.31 per month (95%CI 0.27–0.37)). There was evidence that menstrual-related absenteeism and poorer examination performance at endline were both associated with baseline use of inadequate menstrual materials, negative menstrual attitudes, unmet menstrual practice needs, and experience of menstrual-related teasing. In addition, absenteeism due to menstruation was associated with menstrual pain, and poorer examination performance was associated with poorer baseline menstrual knowledge. Conclusion Among Ugandan students, multiple dimensions of menstrual health are associated with school absenteeism and examination performance. Trial registration and recruitment details ISRCTN ISRCTN45461276 .

Intraspecific genetic variation of the hairy-fruited eggplant (Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal.) based on plastid genome sequences

Abstract Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal. is a medicinal plant with medicinal properties for minor human diseases. To generate additional genomic resources for this species, we sequenced and characterised plastomes from seven S. lasiocarpum accessions collected in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. The seven plastomes range from 155,616 to 156,854 bp and each contains 128 genes. We identified 43–46 simple sequence repeats and 32–37 long repeats per plastome, with a strong bias towards A/T-rich motifs. Two indels and three highly variable regions ( pet A, pet A– psb J, rpl 32– trn L-UAG) were detected. The intraspecific pairwise distance between the previously published Hainan accession, SLHN (GenBank accession no.: PP234975), and the seven new accessions was 0.001. Phylogenetic analyses based on both complete plastomes and protein-coding sequences (CDS) recovered SLHN as the earliest-diverging lineage, followed by a split into two major clades. In the plastome-tree, the Mantin (SLMT), Serian (SLSR), and Phukhieo (SLTH) accessions formed one clade, whereas the Lachau (SLLC), Pontianak (SLPT), Sibu (SLSB), and Sibu wild (SLSW) accessions grouped together. In the CDS-tree, SLMT and SLTH clustered together, separate from the SLLC + SLPT + SLSR + SLSB + SLSW clade. Most internal branches received low statistical support in both trees. These results provide new insights into intraspecific plastome variation in S. lasiocarpum and establish a comparative framework to support marker development, molecular breeding, and future phylogenetic and evolutionary studies in Solanum .