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Reprogramming Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in Living Cancer Cells to Eradicate Tumors

AI-Guided <i>De Novo</i> Design of a Caffeine-Induced Protein Dissociation System

Protocol for a quasi experimental mixed method study on impact of intervention for improving Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices in tribal block of Palghar District, Maharashtra, India through involvement of frontline workers

Introduction Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) is crucial for child growth, especially in the first two years. Despite various government initiatives, nearly 35.5% of under-five children present with stunted growth in India as per NFHS-5 survey. Moreover, tribal areas like Palghar in India are most affected due to limited access to healthcare, poverty and knowledge gaps. While frontline workers such as Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) play a key role in IYCF promotion in community; gaps in their knowledge, counselling strategies and contextual barriers hamper the desired outcome. The study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of frontline workers and mothers on IYCF; and to develop and evaluate a context specific intervention package to improve IYCF practices for better health outcomes among young children. Methods A quasi-experimental mixed-methods study will be conducted over two years in three phases (baseline, intervention and post intervention) in the Ganjad PHC of Palghar District, Maharashtra. After qualitative assessment of frontline workers, a total of 460 mother-infant (6–12 months) dyads will be enrolled in baseline and post intervention through cluster sampling across 44 Anganwadi Centres. Baseline and endline IYCF practices will be collected using a structured questionnaire along with anthropometric assessment The intervention will include capacity building of frontline workers and mothers on IYCF Practices through Socio Behavioral Communication Change approach, preparation of pictorial booklets and charts, provision of hot cooked CF servings at Anganwadi Centers along with Iron, Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation. The quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative data thematically. Discussion This study proposes a community-based intervention to improve IYCF practices among tribal populations in Palghar District, Maharashtra. It integrates behaviour change communication with hot cooked meal provision at Anganwadi Centres through frontline workers. The approach emphasizes cultural relevance and sustainability, with potential to inform scalable strategies and policy within ICDS. Clinical trial registration CTRI/2024/06/068427 Registered on 06th June, 2024.

Cross-cultural assessment of knowledge and attitudes toward Folic acid: Instrument development and validation in Thailand and Yemen

Folic acid is essential for the prevention of neural tube defects and other congenital anomalies, yet awareness and uptake vary across cultural and resource settings. Reliable tools to assess women’s knowledge and attitudes toward Folic acid are limited, particularly in cross-cultural contexts. This study aimed to develop and validate a culturally adaptable questionnaire in two distinct populations: Thailand and Yemen. In this cross-sectional instrument development and validation study, the questionnaire was developed through literature review and expert consultation, and comprised demographics, eight knowledge items, and ten attitude items. Following content validation, pilot testing, and test–retest reliability assessment, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated for internal consistency. Data were collected from 538 women of reproductive age (Thai: 104; Yemeni: 434) via an online self-administered survey. The attitude scale demonstrated strong psychometric properties, with high internal consistency (α = 0.88 in both groups), coherent factor structures, and excellent model fit in the Yemeni sample (RMSEA = 0.054, CFI = 0.973, TLI = 0.965). Knowledge scores varied across items, with higher awareness in dietary source and timing-related items, and lower scores in statistical and biological knowledge. The Yemeni version showed lower internal consistency in the knowledge section (α = 0.59), reflecting content heterogeneity. Despite contextual differences, the instrument demonstrated psychometric coherence in both groups, though model fit was more robust in the Yemeni sample. In conclusion, this study developed and validated a brief questionnaire to assess knowledge and attitudes toward Folic acid in culturally diverse settings. The tool showed good psychometric performance and is suitable for use in research and public health interventions, particularly in low-resource or cross-cultural environments.

Deep learning assisted prediction of microstructure and wear behaviour in plasma nitrided 316 L stainless steel

Trap tales: The influence of red alder stand conditions and forest fragmentation on family-level beetle bycatch diversity

Beetle (Coleoptera) bycatch from insect traps can provide insights into forest health and biodiversity trends. Red alder, Alnus rubra , a nitrogen-fixing tree that supports high invertebrate diversity, is facing alder bark beetle-associated declines and increasing fragmentation in coastal British Columbia (BC), Canada. Despite these threats, no research has investigated beetle diversity or its responses to stand conditions and fragmentation in red alder ecosystems. We hypothesized that in red alder ecosystems, (1) stand conditions influence beetle family bycatch diversity through habitat and food availability, and (2) forest fragmentation influences beetle family diversity by altering habitat connectivity and patch size. We also evaluated how these factors affect abundances of select scolytine predatory families (Salpingidae, Monotomidae, Nitidulidae, Staphylinidae, and Histeridae). Ethanol-baited multiple-funnel traps ( N =  25) targeting ambrosia beetles were deployed in five red alder-dominated forests in southwestern BC in 2024. Beetle bycatch ( N =  8226 individuals) was identified to family and determined to be predominantly saproxylic. Family-level Shannon Diversity Index ( H’ ), richness, and select abundances were compared between sites, and their relationships with stand conditions and fragmentation analyzed using bivariate models. Site-level differences were observed for H’ , richness, and abundances, all of which were associated with stand conditions and fragmentation to varying extents. Notably, higher tree density and abundance of dead red alders and lower fragmentation were associated with higher beetle bycatch diversity. Structural heterogeneity, including deadwood availability, and forest continuity likely provided microhabitats supporting saproxylic beetle families in these forests. Examining beetle diversity at the family level allowed us to explore functional associations of saproxylic beetles to environmental conditions across landscapes, although these associations should be interpreted judiciously due to coarse taxonomic resolution and sampling and analytical limitations. Beetle bycatch resolved to family level represents a valuable resource for biodiversity monitoring and conservation management in red alder forests.

Correction: Pro-neuropeptide Y as a circulating biomarker for poor prognosis in prostate cancer

Reliability and validity of the individual GPS game data–based maximal acceleration–initial running speed regression line in youth elite soccer players

Modern load monitoring in soccer increasingly employs relative individualized acceleration intensity thresholds derived from individual maximal acceleration–initial running speed (a max –v init ) regression lines. This study examined the reliability and validity of soccer players’ individual a max –v init regression lines determined solely from game locomotion data. Using a GPS-based tracking system, we prospectively collected game locomotion data from 159 male youth elite soccer players over one season and repeatedly determined their a max –v init regression lines using a recently introduced game data–based method. To examine the influence of data volume, regression lines were determined using different numbers of consecutive games. As a criterion measure, the a max –v init regression line was determined using an acceleration test in 55 athletes. Reliability was assessed via the typical error (TE) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and validity via the typical error of the estimate (TEE) and the Pearson correlation coefficient. The magnitude of errors and correlation coefficients was assessed using standardization and published thresholds, respectively. Reliability improved gradually with increasing data volume, resulting in TEs of 3.4% ( a max intercept), 7.3% ( v init intercept), and 10.3% (slope). Nonetheless, all TEs were large in magnitude, and ICCs very low to low. Validity was unaffected by data volume, with TEEs consistently ~7% ( a max intercept), ~ 12% ( v init intercept), and ~17% (slope). All TEEs were assessed as extremely large, and Pearson correlations as impractical. These findings indicate that the game data–based method currently lacks the precision required for individual-level applications, and this limitation cannot be resolved simply by including more games. Therefore, establishing relative individualized acceleration intensity thresholds within a team still requires a test-based approach. Moreover, the results suggest that properties inherent in GPS-based game locomotion data, rather than data volume, underlie the observed imprecision. We propose that substantial future improvements will depend on more precise tracking systems.

Privacy-aware vaccine recommendation using federated learning and blockchain

Effects of seedling age at transplanting on root-shoot traits and yield in direct-seeded maize

To address weak growth and low yield of spring maize under transplanting and seedling replacement, this study evaluated the effects of transplanting at different seedling ages on dry matter production, with the aim of identifying the optimal transplanting stage. Field experiments were conducted at two sites using a randomized block design. Three transplanting stages—2-leaf 1-heart (2L1H), 3-leaf 1-heart (3L1H), and 4-leaf 1-heart (4L1H)—were compared with direct seeding (CK). Root shoot traits, dry matter accumulation, and ear characteristics were assessed. Compared with direct seeding, transplanting shortened the jointing-to-silking period but extended both the transplanting-to-jointing and silking-to-maturity phases. Transplanting significantly reduced root traits, including 0–20 cm root dry mass(RDM), root length(RL), root surface area(RS), and number of forks (NF), as well as leaf traits such as leaf area(LA), specific leaf weight (SLW), and SPAD values. Transplanted plants exhibited physiological stress, reflected by decreased leaf instantaneous spectral use efficiency (SUE) and increased water use efficiency (WUE) and instantaneous carboxylation rate (Ce). These changes limited dry matter accumulation and its translocation to grains, resulting in reduced yield. Among the treatments, transplanting at the 3-leaf 1-heart stage (3L1H) showed the smallest deviation from direct seeding in root traits and dry matter accumulation, thereby minimizing yield loss.

Knowledge flow mechanisms and innovation ecosystem cultivation strategies in the digital transformation of advanced manufacturing clusters

Integrated assessment of thiram toxicity in pangasius fish: Erythrocytic abnormalities, gill and intestinal defense mechanisms, and genotoxicity

Pesticides play a crucial role in agriculture, public health management, and veterinary practice to control pests. However, the persistent use of pesticides poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and non-target organisms, such as fish. The genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and erythrocytic toxicity were assessed in fish exposed to different sublethal concentrations (5, 10, and 15 µg/L) of thiram for 12 days. Blood and other tissues (gills and intestine) were obtained from each fish reared in each group at days 4, 8, and 12 of the experiment. Thin blood film/smear examination indicated significantly ( P ≤ 0.05 ) increased morphological and nuclear changes in erythrocytes, such as the formation of micronuclei, notched nuclei, lobed nuclei, and tear-shaped erythrocytes in fish exposed to higher doses of thiram. The contents of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly ( P ≤ 0.05 ) decreased and the oxidative stress biomarkers including reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly ( P ≤ 0.05 ) increased in gills and intestinal tissues of exposed fish. The results on genotoxicity determined using the comet assay technique revealed significantly ( P ≤ 0.05 ) high levels of genomic instability in terms of DNA damage in isolated cells of the gills and intestine of fish reared in water containing higher concentrations of thiram. At the microscopic level, various sections of the gills of fish treated with higher doses of thiram unveiled moderate to severe histopathological ailments such as degeneration of cartilaginous core, degeneration and disruption of primary and secondary lamellae of gills, necrosis of lamellar epithelial cells, telangiectasia, and curling of secondary lamellae. The findings of this study indicated that extremely low doses of thiram lead to the induction of adverse effects in freshwater fish. Hence, there is a need to develop suitable control measures regarding the use of environmentally friendly chemicals and for the protection of aquatic environments.

DST-GNN: A dynamic spatio-temporal graph neural network for motor imagery classification

Calibrated early-warning models with fairness auditing and selective prediction for course withdrawal risk: Evidence from OULAD

Early-warning systems (EWS) in learning analytics are increasingly used to identify learners at risk of course withdrawal, but their deployment-critical properties are often under-reported once predicted scores are converted into intervention policies. This study develops a deployment-oriented evaluation protocol for course-withdrawal risk using the Open University Learning Analytics Dataset (OULAD). An early-window feature set was constructed from the first four weeks of learner activity and evaluated under a group-wise train–test split by course presentation. Multiple classifiers were benchmarked, including logistic regression, histogram-based gradient boosting (HGB), random forest, support vector machine, AdaBoost, K-nearest neighbors, XGBoost, LightGBM, and CatBoost. A calibrated HGB model was then retained as the main probabilistic model for downstream analyses of probability reliability, threshold sensitivity, subgroup fairness with bootstrap uncertainty, selective prediction, and capacity-based Top- x % alerting. Several tree-based and boosting models achieved comparable held-out discrimination, while calibrated HGB remained competitive across classification, ranking, and probability-reliability metrics. Threshold choices substantially changed the precision–recall balance, indicating that operating points should be treated as policy choices rather than universal defaults. Fairness audits showed policy-dependent observed group-level differences, especially in alert rates for disability status, although several subgroup error-rate and positive predictive value (PPV) differences remained uncertain. Selective prediction reduced risk on accepted cases as coverage decreased, whereas Top- x % alerting fixed outreach volume and made workload–effectiveness trade-offs explicit. Robustness analyses supported the 28-day window as a practical early-warning compromise and showed that absolute PPV values varied across held-out course-presentation splits. The findings suggest that EWS should be evaluated as policy-linked decision systems, integrating model benchmarking, calibration, fairness uncertainty, and capacity-aware decision rules before deployment.

High recall assisted detection of egg laying events in Caenorhabditis elegans using human in the loop validation

Prevalence and pre-disposing factors of Helicobacter pylori among patients with gastro-intestinal symptoms attending Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda

Background Comprehensive data on the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and its predisposing factors among patients with gastrointestinal symptoms remain limited. Generating this evidence would help inform clinical management and improve antibiotic stewardship. H. pylori infection affects a substantial proportion of the global population, with prevalence varying widely across regions. In Uganda, previous studies have documented the presence of H. pylori infection. However, data specific to symptomatic patients are scarce. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and predisposing factors among patients with gastrointestinal symptoms attending Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 353 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms attending Mulago Hospital. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle and dietary habits, and medical history were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. H. pylori infection status was determined using stool antigen tests. Proportions were used to determine the prevalence of H. pylori, and predisposing factors analyzed using STATA version 14 software by performing bivariate and multivariable analyses. Results Among the 353 participants, majority were between 16 and 35 years old (69%), female (58%), and residing in peri-urban areas (74%). The prevalence of H. pylori infection in this population was 308 (87.3%). Multivariable analysis showed that H. pylori infection was significantly associated with having more than five income dependents (aPRR = 1.104, 95% CI: 1.025–1.189, p = 0.008), a history of previous H. pylori treatment (aPRR = 3.459, 95% CI: 2.138–5.595, p &lt; 0.001), and a family history of H. pylori infection or gastrointestinal ulcers (aPRR = 1.135, 95% CI: 1.055–1.221, p = 0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrated a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms, with nearly nine out of ten individuals testing positive. The high burden observed suggests that routine screening for H. pylori , or carefully guided empirical treatment, may be clinically justified in symptomatic patients. These findings underscore the need for integrated clinical and public health strategies to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of H. pylori infection in this setting.

Primary tumor resection prior to peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is associated with improved survival in metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract The role of primary tumor resection (PTR) in patients with metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) undergoing peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) remains uncertain. This meta-analysis evaluated whether PTR prior to PRRT is associated with improved survival outcomes compared to PRRT alone. MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched through November 19, 2024 (PROSPERO CRD42024605382). Eligible studies included metastatic GEP-NET patients treated with PRRT, with or without prior PTR. Data extraction was performed independently in duplicate following PRISMA guidelines. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUIPS tool. Hazard ratios (HRs) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were pooled using random-effects models. Five observational studies, involving 1,186 patients (649 with PTR before PRRT; 537 receiving PRRT alone), met the inclusion criteria. PTR prior to PRRT was associated with longer PFS (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.42–0.91; I² = 45%) and OS (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.33–0.65; I² = 0%). Given the observational design, confounding by indication and potential immortal-time bias were the primary sources of bias, though the overall risk was rated low to moderate. PTR before PRRT was associated with longer PFS and OS in metastatic, somatostatin receptor–positive GEP-NETs. These findings may indicate an association, but the low certainty of the observational evidence limits their interpretability. Future well-designed studies are required to confirm or refute this observation.

Pediatric Capacity Building in Northern Laos: An Evaluation of the Pediatric Nursing Training Program at Lao Friends Hospital for Children

Background In 2015, the child mortality rate in Laos was 53.6 per 1,000 live births. The Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC) in Luang Prabang was established to enhance access to specialized pediatric care. To support workforce development, a Pediatric Nursing Training Program was implemented. However, the program has not undergone a formal evaluation since its inception. This study aims to evaluate the program’s first five years. Study design The evaluation included a review of curriculum documents via an online platform and feedback collection through an online survey administered to former expatriate nurse volunteers who provided clinical mentorship. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with former nurse leaders who designed and implemented the program. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically and validated through triangulation. Results The curriculum review revealed system-based and course-specific plans, including clear objectives, teaching methods, and evaluation tools. Of the 148 clinical mentors surveyed, a 45% response rate was achieved. Survey responses indicated improvements in nurses’ clinical skills since the program’s inception, with mentors emphasizing the importance of cultural attunement to Lao staff. Six out of seven former nurse leaders participated in interviews. Key themes emerged, highlighting the value of culturally relevant educational materials, multimodal teaching strategies, a train-the-trainer approach, and clinical mentorship as integral components of the program. Conclusion The development of pediatric nursing specialization at LFHC was facilitated by structured curriculum plans, cultural sensitivity, diverse teaching methodologies, and robust clinical mentorship. These findings provide valuable insights for designing culturally competent and sustainable training programs in Laos and similar contexts.

Maintenance pemetrexed after platinum pemetrexed chemotherapy and survival outcomes in malignant pleural mesothelioma in a multicenter real world study

Abstract Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis, and the role of maintenance therapy after first-line platinum–pemetrexed chemotherapy remains unclear. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study including 96 patients with metastatic or unresectable MPM treated across eight tertiary oncology centers. Eligible patients had received at least four cycles of first-line platinum–pemetrexed and achieved disease control, after which they were either administered maintenance pemetrexed ( n  = 54) or observed without further treatment ( n  = 42). Maintenance pemetrexed was associated with significantly prolonged median progression-free survival (15.5 vs. 7.9 months; p  &lt; 0.001) and overall survival (22.3 vs. 16.4 months; p  = 0.002) compared with observation. Multivariate analyses confirmed maintenance pemetrexed as an independent predictor of improved progression-free survival (HR 2.92; 95% CI 1.81–4.72; p  &lt; 0.001) and overall survival (HR 2.10; 95% CI 1.24–3.55; p  = 0.005). Non-epithelioid histology was independently associated with worse outcomes. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the survival benefit of maintenance pemetrexed persisted in patients achieving both partial response and stable disease after first-line chemotherapy. Importantly, maintenance therapy was well tolerated, with no discontinuations due to toxicity, highlighting its feasibility in routine practice. These real-world findings suggest that maintenance pemetrexed may be associated with improved survival outcomes in patients with MPM who achieve disease control after first-line therapy.

Tail risk, large fluctuations and downfalls in renewable energy markets

The renewable energy sector has expanded rapidly as countries pursue decarbonization goals, increasing investor exposure to market risk and extreme price movements. While prior research has examined downside risk, volatility, and dependence structures in clean energy markets, less is known about the statistical properties governing the decay of extreme returns and the existence of finite moments. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the heavy-tailed behavior of renewable and conventional energy equity indices using daily data from April 2005 to February 2025. We estimate tail indices to assess the degree of heavy-tailedness and to infer the existence of finite moments, relying on confidence-interval-based inference rather than point estimates. In addition to full-sample analysis, a recursive expanding-window approach is employed to examine the time variation of tail risk and its response to major market stress events. The results indicate that both renewable and conventional energy indices exhibit heavy-tailed return distributions consistent with power-law behavior. Confidence-interval-based inference supports the existence of finite first and second moments across all indices, while higher-order moments may be infinite, implying limitations for models that rely on skewness or kurtosis. The recursive analysis reveals pronounced increases in tail risk during periods of systemic stress, particularly during the global financial crisis, highlighting the state-dependent nature of extreme risk in energy markets. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of statistically justified tail analysis for risk measurement, portfolio construction, and stress testing in renewable energy markets, complementing existing studies focused on volatility and dependence.