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Uremic toxins promote renal fatty acid synthesis and fibrosis via activating aryl hydrocarbon receptor
Individual differences and motives for the acceptance of cognitive enhancement: A mixed-methods investigation
Despite a long history of human efforts to enhance cognitive abilities such as attention, memory, and intelligence, the proliferation of (new) technological and medical methods—including brain stimulation, pharmaceutical interventions, and gamified brain training—has renewed scientific and public interest in cognitive enhancement, even as evidence for their effectiveness in improving broader cognitive abilities remains inconsistent. Understanding who would be willing to enhance their cognitive abilities and why is crucial as these cognitive enhancement methods become more popular and accessible in society. Thus, in two preregistered lab studies, we investigated individuals’ acceptance (i.e., hypothetical willingness to make use) of various cognitive enhancement methods, tested predictors thereof, and explored individuals’ motives to utilize cognitive enhancement methods or be reluctant to do so. In Study 1 ( N = 203), we found considerably higher acceptance for more active (i.e., more involved) than passive cognitive enhancement methods. Lower age, greater interest in science fiction, and stronger investigative interests (partially) predicted participants’ acceptance of cognitive enhancement methods, while personality traits, self-assessed and measured intelligence did not. In Study 2 ( N = 197), we aimed to (conceptually) replicate key findings from Study 1, and in addition qualitatively assess the motives for the acceptance and rejection of cognitive enhancement methods. Our findings confirmed the higher acceptance of active than passive cognitive enhancement methods. Additionally, we found that greater interest in science fiction consistently predicted participants’ acceptance of cognitive enhancement, while personality traits and (self-assessed) intelligence did not show consistent associations. Critically, these quantitative effects were rather small. Qualitative analyses additionally provided exploratory insights into the motives for accepting or rejecting active and passive cognitive enhancement methods. Across these two studies, acceptance of cognitive enhancement seems to be more closely linked to specific interests than to personality traits or (self-assessed) abilities. We emphasize the importance of studying situational factors, such as person-environment fit, to better understand the willingness to make use of cognitive enhancement.
Development and validation of an AI-driven multimodal system for assessing aerobic gymnastics training using video analysis, motion capture, and physiological signals
Author Correction: Authigenic mineral phases as a driver of the upper-ocean iron cycle
Polyvinyl chloride promotes radioresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting radiotherapy-induced CD8⁺ T cell differentiation
ProbStab: A probabilistic ML-assisted pipeline for genotype performance, stability, and risk evaluation in multi-environment trials
In multi-environment trials (MET), ignoring genotype × environment interaction (GEI) can lead to suboptimal cultivar recommendations and increased risk in breeding decisions. To make informed decisions, it is important to select genotypes that combine high yield with a low chance of very poor performance. Recent advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) enable researchers to study complex patterns in MET data, improving the screening and selection of superior genotypes. In this study, we introduce the statistical package ProbStab, which was developed to evaluate the yield, stability, and risk of genotypes in MET. ProbStab is based on Quantile Regression Forests, a non-parametric algorithm that provides reliable prediction intervals and addresses the limitations of classical methods. The package includes several probabilistic modules (ml_tcp_pipe, prob_stab_pipe, ci_perf_pipe, risk_potential_pipe). Using bootstrapping and machine learning, these modules estimate key indicators, including the probability of superior yield, the probability of superior stability, the joint probability of yield and stability, and measures of risk and performance potential. This integrated design fills a crucial gap in conventional approaches, providing a practical tool for advanced probabilistic analysis. By combining MLwith probabilistic evaluation, ProbStab gives plant breeders and agronomists a novel framework to reduce uncertainty in decision-making. The main goal of ProbStab is to support breeding programs with a clear, data-driven, and efficient approach for selecting stable and high-yielding genotypes under complex GEI conditions and to improve the reliability of cultivar recommendations for farmers.
Active chin-to-floor distance is a predictive factor for the onset of chronic low back pain
Scalable fabrication of transparent sodium calcium silicate glass-ceramics by structural engineering overcoming anisotropy barriers
Abstract Transparent glass-ceramics with high crystallinity offer many attractive optical, mechanical, and biomedical properties. However, for glass-ceramics containing crystals with thermal expansion anisotropy, excessive crystallization induces severe microcracking and consequent loss of transparency. Here, we employ structural engineering in the sodium calcium silicate system to mitigate thermal expansion anisotropy through Zr 4+ substitution at Ca 2+ sites in Na 4 Ca 4 Si 6 O 18 crystal and stabilize the crystallized high-temperature polymorph. This strategy overcomes microcrack barriers, enabling large-sized glass-ceramics with high crystallinity ( ~ 93 wt%) and >84% visible transmittance. Validated for biomedical implants (100% cell viability and bioactivity) and fire-resistant windows, the work expands the application scope of the traditional alkali-silicate system towards highly crystalline transparent glass-ceramics for advanced functional uses.
The specificity of psychotherapeutic competence: A study protocol on the development of facilitative interpersonal skills across professional pathways
Introduction Facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) are widely used as an operationalization of therapists’ interpersonal competence. However, the degree to which FIS are specific outcomes of formal psychotherapy training or instead reflect more general abilities developed across different professional pathways or outside of any formal training is unclear. Methods and analysis To test whether psychotherapy students show a stronger stage-related increase in FIS levels than students from other fields, this study protocol outlines a cross-sectional cohort design in which FIS levels are assessed at three training stages (entry university level, end of bachelor, end of master) across four professional pathways. The group comparisons include (1) psychotherapy students as the reference group, (2) nursing and (3) teacher education students as comparison groups with high interpersonal demands but without mental health training, and (4) students from the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as a baseline group with low interpersonal demands and no mental health training. We will use linear mixed-effects models with professional pathway and training stage as fixed effects. The primary test will evaluate the fixed effects of the factors professional pathway and training stage, and their interaction. Ethics and dissemination Compared to previous studies, our non-clinical, non-interventionist design eliminates any risk of harm to patients and removes variance associated with patient and dyadic factors. Approval has been obtained from the Ethics Commission at Sigmund Freud Private University Vienna. Data and analysis scripts will be shared via open-access repositories. We intend to disseminate results through at least three peer-reviewed publications: primary analyses, secondary analyses, and a theoretical synthesis on implications for psychotherapy training and interprofessional competence.
Assessing noise levels at social events within Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana
Daily briefing: Preprints are chock-full of authors’ private info
Prediction of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma using contrast-enhanced ultrasound and deep learning
The effect of motivational determinants on elite Wrestlers’ ıntentions to continue in sport: The mediating role of enjoyment
This study aimed to examine the associations of motivational determinants, including goal orientation, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, and motivation, with elite wrestlers’ intention to continue in sport, and to evaluate the indirect role of enjoyment in these associations. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was used. The quantitative sample comprised 374 elite wrestlers competing under the Turkish Wrestling Federation, and the qualitative sample comprised 16 volunteer elite wrestlers competing in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. Quantitative data were collected using validated scales measuring goal orientation, basic psychological need satisfaction, sport motivation, enjoyment, and intention to continue in sport, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling through SPSS and AMOS. Qualitative data were collected through a semi-structured interview form and analyzed using content and descriptive analysis techniques in MAXQDA 2020. The quantitative findings showed that goal orientation, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, motivation, and enjoyment had significant direct, indirect, and total associations with intention to continue in sport. Enjoyment showed an indirect role in these associations, and the proposed model explained 41% of the variance in intention to continue in sport. The qualitative findings were classified under the theme “Factors Associated with Intention to Continue in Sport” and grouped into positive and negative factors with internal and external subcategories. Internal positive factors included commitment and passion, achievement goals, and enjoyment, whereas external positive factors included reference groups, coach interaction, and social support. Negative factors included failure, negative psychological processes, injustice, sport-specific difficulties, and lack of resources. Overall, the findings indicate that elite wrestlers’ intention to continue in sport is associated with motivational, emotional, social, and contextual factors. The qualitative findings further suggest that these factors are reflected in athletes’ experiences regarding sport continuation.
An urban functional zone classification framework based on graph adaptive propagation network
Identification of the SARS-CoV-2 genome packaging signal in the nsp12-coding region
Design and validation of a key performance indicator dashboard for equity in community and retail pharmacy services in Pakistan
Background Community and retail pharmacies are essential to primary healthcare delivery in Pakistan; however, significant disparities in workforce distribution, medicine availability, and service quality persist between urban and rural settings. The absence of standardized performance monitoring systems limits the ability to identify and address these inequities. Objective To design, develop, and validate a key performance indicators (KPI) dashboard for monitoring equity in community and retail pharmacy service delivery in Pakistan. Methods A multi-phase methodological study was conducted. Phase I involved qualitative needs assessment using semi-structured interviews with pharmacists, technicians, and administrators (n = 28) to identify service gaps. Phase II employed a modified Delphi technique with expert panel consensus to refine KPIs. Phase III included dashboard development using Microsoft Power BI. Phase IV comprised validation through content validity index (CVI) assessment and usability testing using the System Usability Scale (SUS). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Results Eleven KPIs across workforce, efficiency, quality, safety, availability, and equity domains were finalized. Significant disparities were observed between urban and rural pharmacies, including higher stock-out duration (13.1 vs 6.2 days), lower counseling rates (55% vs 78%), and poorer workforce ratios (1:120 vs 1:65). The dashboard demonstrated high usability (SUS score: 82.5) and strong content validity (S-CVI/Ave: 0.89). Conclusion The developed KPI dashboard provides a feasible and scalable tool for real-time monitoring of pharmacy performance and equity. Its implementation can support evidence-based decision-making and improve equitable pharmaceutical service delivery in Pakistan.
A high temperature slow pyrolytic synthesis of Matteuccia struthiopteris derived activated carbon for high-performance supercapacitors
InstaNovo-P: a de novo peptide sequencing model for phosphoproteomics
Three-dimensional seismic response analysis of connected structures with damping layers
To enhance the seismic damping effect of connected structures under intense seismic activities, this study introduces a novel control system for connected structures. This system strategically places the damping layers at different locations within the main towers to mitigate the violent system response of the connected structure during rare earthquakes. The double-sided damping structure mainly involves arranging damping layers in the towers on both sides of the connected structure. The damping layers use lead-core isolation bearings (LRB), which fully combines the concepts of damping and isolation. It applies isolation technology to the damping system of high-rise structures, and can effectively solve the technical problem of overturning when isolation technology is applied to high-rise buildings in engineering experiments. The structure is modeled using ABAQUS. Models for both single-sided and double-sided damping structures are established and subsequently compared with the seismic resistance structure. This comparison is conducted to analyze the time-history response of layer shear, base reaction force, top-layer acceleration, and interstory drift of various structural models under rare earthquakes. Additionally, shear-drift hysteresis curves of the damping layer are constructed to evaluate the energy dissipation rate of the structure’ s damping layer using an energy analysis method. The results show that both damping structures exhibit superior energy dissipation and damping effects. However, the introduction of an additional damping layer in the double-sided damping structure results in a more obvious damping effect and a higher energy dissipation rate. The risk of overturning due to excessive bending deformation of the superstructure is mitigated by designing the location of the damping layer. However, the control effect of both damping structures on vertical earthquakes is not obvious, and further research is needed.