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Feasibility of accelerometer-based prediction of postural balance in schoolchildren using machine learning models

Tuning optical and dielectric properties of strontium-zinc ferrite nanomaterials through structure-cation engineering

Abstract Herein, Sr x Zn 1−x Fe 2 O₄ nanoparticles produced by chemical co-precipitation are examined to determine how strontium (Sr) doping affects their structural, morphological, optical, and dielectric characteristics. The creation of a single-phase cubic spinel structure was verified by X-ray diffraction, and peak shifts indicated lattice expansion brought on by the addition of Sr. A homogeneous grain morphology with nanoscale dimensions was found by FESEM investigation. The metal-oxygen vibrational modes in the Raman and FTIR spectra showed changes that suggested local structural distortion. With a lowered optical bandgap of 2.62 ± 0.1 eV, UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed a red shift in the absorption edge, improving semiconducting properties. AC conductivity and complex modulus tests revealed improved charge transport and relaxation behavior, whereas impedance spectroscopy indicated decreased dielectric loss (tan δ) at high frequencies. Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed that doping resulted in a redistribution of Fe 2+ between tetrahedral and octahedral sites. According to these results, Sr-doped ZnFeO₄ is a promising material for use in high-frequency and optoelectronic device applications. This work develops a structure-cation engineering approach, where Mössbauer spectroscopy validates cation redistribution, allowing for simultaneous tuning of optical and dielectric properties, providing a new avenue for the development of ferrite-based optoelectronic and energy storage materials.

Correction: Epidemiological factors associated with immunological resistance in household contacts exposed to active tuberculosis in South Africa: A logistic regression analysis

The Effect of Hyaluronic Acid Toothpaste in Smell and Taste Recovery: A Pilot Study

Biodiversity conservation requires consideration of different life history stages

Amid the biodiversity crisis, functional diversity, which is critical for ecosystem stability and conservation planning—faces challenges due to species’ complex life cycles. As the majority of animals, species with complex life histories may have distinct traits and ecological functions at different stages. Using all 557 Chinese anurans, we tested whether adult-based conservation protects entire taxa by analyzing functional trait diversity across life stages. We compiled adult and tadpole traits, mapped spatial diversity patterns, identified hotspots, recognized conservation priority species based on traits at different stages, and tested whether integrating information from different life history stages can effectively conserve functional diversity. Results showed functional diversity hotspots of adults and tadpoles are different. Species’ functional uniqueness between stages were not correlated, with only 18.8% species overlapped in conservation priority lists. Meanwhile, conservation strategies prioritizing species based on adult traits failed to protect tadpole functional diversity. The extent of functional diversity covered by these species was similar to that of randomly chosen species. These findings reject the hypothesis that conservation strategies made based on information of adults can adequately protect whole taxa. Nevertheless, when information from both stages is integrated, the conservation effectiveness has significantly improved. Thus, comprehensive biodiversity protection requires integrated assessments of all stages.

Tetrazine-enhanced donor-acceptor-donor metal-organic frameworks for photodynamic antibacterial therapy and wound healing

Exploring the effect and mechanism of baicalin on sepsis-induced acute lung injury based on network pharmacology and experimental verification

Nanoemulsion of Apium graveolens essential oil as a natural pre-emergent herbicide

Correction: Non-guided, mobile, CBT-I-based sleep intervention in War-torn Ukraine: A feasibility study

Effectiveness of Liquid Toothpaste Containing Coenzyme Q10 in Reducing Dental Plaque and Gingivitis: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial

Creatine kinase imaging (CKI) for in vivo whole-brain mapping of creatine kinase reaction kinetics

The creatine kinase (CK) is a key enzyme involved in brain bioenergetics, playing an important role in brain function and the pathogenesis of neurological and psychiatric diseases and cancers. However, imaging its activity noninvasively in the human brain remains a significant challenge. This study aims to advance 31 P magnetic resonance fingerprinting for Creatine Kinase Imaging (CKI). The method was implemented and validated on a clinical 7 Tesla MRI scanner. CKI enables whole-brain mapping of CK forward rate constant, revealing regional differences. Furthermore, a functional CKI (fCKI) study demonstrated a CK activation map in response to visual stimulation, revealing an increase in CK forward rate constant in the visual cortex. The novel imaging modalities, CKI and fCKI, have the potential to offer insights into brain bioenergetics both at rest and during activity, in both healthy and pathological conditions.

Metasurface-based multifunctional composites with ultra-robust broadband microwave absorption up to 1000 °C

Abstract The metamaterials offer methodology and infinite possibilities for ultra-broadband microwave absorption (MA). However, maintaining stable broadband MA under extreme high-temperature environments remains one of the most cutting-edge challenges. Herein, we report a RuO 2 /glass resistive material for the fabrication of microwave-absorbing metasurfaces. Based on tunneling effect, an ultra-low temperature coefficient of resistance was achieved in RuO 2 /glass, resulting in temperature-insensitivity of its electrical properties, thereby ensuring stability of MA properties of metasurfaces against temperature. Furthermore, using low-dielectric alumina aerogel composites and Al 2 O 3f /Al 2 O 3 ceramic composites as dielectric spacer layer, we propose the multifunctional composites integrated with MA, thermal insulation and load-bearing (MTL). The MTL integrated composites show an impressive broadband (2~12 GHz) MA performance that is ultra-robust against temperature variations (25~1000 °C), thermal shock (50 cycles at 25~1000 °C), incidence angle (±45°) and polarization. Additionally, the integrated composites also demonstrate a long-term thermal insulation ability and a high compressive modulus (6.58 MPa). This advancement provides insights for developing MA materials that can work in extreme multi-field environments.

Emotion regulation dynamics in empathy in young children

Prediction of early age compressive strength of concrete using machine learning

Self-reported prevalence of hand eczema and associated factors among hair dressers of Debre Berhan City in North Eastern Ethiopia

Introduction The prevalent condition known as hand eczema has been associated with substantial decreased quality of life, as well as considerable social and occupational expenses. Even though hairdressing is a significant source of wealth, it is linked to several kinds of medical problems mainly skin conditions. Limited studies conducted in Ethiopia to assess self-reported prevalence of hand eczema and associated factors. Objective This study aims to assess self-reported prevalence of hand eczema and associated factors among hairdressers of Debre Berhan city. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 435 hairdressers of Debre Berhan city in North Eastern Ethiopia from January 10 to February 20, 2025. A simple random sampling technique was used to select hair dressers. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from Nordic occupational skin questionnaire and observational checklist through face to face interview and observation. Multivariable binary logistic regression was employed to identify associated factors of hand eczema. Results Prevalence of hand eczema among hairdressers of Debre Berhan city was 56.9%. Poor knowledge (AOR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.199–4.963), not utilizing personal protective equipment consistently over the years (AOR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.183–7.012), low hand washing frequency per day (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.399–6.433) and not taking OHS training (AOR = 4.8, 95% CI: 2.617–8.709) were identified factors of hand eczema. Conclusions Prevalence of hand eczema among hair dressers in Debre Berhan city was high. Poor knowledge, not utilizing personal protective equipment consistently over the years, low hand washing frequency per day and not taking OHS training were identified factors. Hair dressers should utilize proper type of personal protective equipment before starting any activities in the work place. Inclusion of hand eczema education in Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) or policy-level interventions would enhance occupational health awareness, early prevention strategies and long-term skin protection practices among hairdressers.

Effects of Natural Mouthwash on the Force Degradation of Orthodontic Elastomeric Chains: An In Vitro Experimental Study

A chromatin-linked CPL2–PHD2/3 module sustains multiple DNA methylation pathways and Polycomb silencing

While multiple chromatin-based epigenetic pathways are well characterized, their genome-wide coordination and hierarchical interplay remain poorly understood. We previously identified the BAH–PHD–CPL2 complex, where AIPP3 binds H3K27me3 via its BAH domain and, in concert with PHD2 and PHD3 (PHD2/3), recruits CPL2 to repress transcription by dephosphorylating RNA Polymerase II. Here, we show that CPL2 and PHD2/3 form a distinct module (CPL2–PHD2/3) that safeguards CHH DNA methylation and silences CHH-methylated sites at transposable elements (TEs) through engagement of multiple DNA methylation pathways. The CPL2–PHD2/3 module physically associates with SUVH4 and SUVH5 (SUVH4/5) to preserve SUVH4/5–CMT2-mediated CHH methylation at a subset of H3K9me2-marked regions. Chromatin enrichment of PHD3 likewise enables the module to sustain RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM)-mediated CHH DNA methylation at sites bearing H3K9me2, H3K27me3, or neither. Thus, CPL2–PHD2/3 emerges as a previously underappreciated, multifunctional regulator of plant DNA methylation networks. Unexpectedly, its gene repression function is uncoupled from DNA methylation. CPL2–PHD2/3 represses Polycomb-marked genes by interacting with LHP1 or recognizing hypomethylated H3K4. While it cooperates with LHP1 at a subset of targets, it also independently silences many more genes that LHP1 alone cannot repress, both sets of genes being critical for proper development. This dual, yet largely LHP1-insufficient, repression mode singles out CPL2–PHD2/3 as the essential executor of Polycomb silencing. Together, our findings establish CPL2–PHD2/3 as a chromatin-responsive integrator that spans DNA methylation and Polycomb-associated repression, providing a unifying mechanism for epigenetic control of both TEs and genes across diverse chromatin landscapes.

Unifying optical gain and electro-optical dynamics in Er-doped thin-film lithium niobate platform

High-throughput transcriptomic screening reveals entrectinib as a repositioning opportunity in 19q12 autism spectrum disorder

The strength of Nesterov’s accelerated gradient in boosting transferability of stealthy adversarial attacks

Deep neural networks have been shown to be highly vulnerable to adversarial examples—inputs crafted to mislead models by adding subtle, human-imperceptible perturbations. Transferability and stealthiness are two crucial metrics for evaluating adversarial attacks. However, these goals often conflict: examples with high transferability typically exhibit noticeable adversarial noise, while those with imperceptible perturbations tend to perform poorly in black-box attacks. To tackle this, we propose Diff-AdaNAG, a novel framework that introduces Nesterov’s Accelerated Gradient (NAG) into diffusion-based adversarial example generation. Specifically, the diffusion mechanism guides the generation process toward the natural data distribution, achieving stealthy attacks with imperceptible adversarial examples. Meanwhile, an adaptive step-size strategy is utilized to harness the strong acceleration and generalization capabilities of NAG in optimization, enhancing black-box transferability in adversarial attacks. Extensive experiments demonstrate that Diff-AdaNAG consistently outperforms state-of-the-art methods in both white-box and black-box scenarios, significantly boosting transferability without compromising stealthiness. The code is available at https://github.com/Linc2021/Diff-AdaNAG .