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Tuning Entanglement Molecular Weights with Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Polystyrenics

Catalytic activity evaluation of phyto synthesized SrO and chitosan encapsulated SrO nanomaterials

Industrial wastewater contaminated with organic dyes poses significant environmental and health risks. Developing effective and eco-friendly removal methods is crucial to mitigate the harmful impact of dye pollution. This study explores the green synthesis and application of strontium oxide (SrO) nanoparticles and chitosan-encapsulated strontium oxide (CS-SrO) nanocomposite as adsorbents for the removal of cationic and anionic dyes from aqueous solutions. Characterization revealed that the SrO nanoparticles exhibited a sharp localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak at 274 nm, while the CS-SrO nanocomposite depicted a broad LSPR peak between 230–280 nm. XRD analysis confirmed the face-centered cubic structure of the SrO nanoparticles, with an average crystallite size of 32 nm. Detailed dye removal studies revealed that the SrO nanoparticles achieved up to 80% removal of the cationic crystal violet dye, while the CS-SrO nanocomposite demonstrated 81% removal of the anionic methyl orange dye under optimized conditions. Further investigations into adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics provided insights into the mechanisms governing the dye removal processes. This work contributes to the advancement of green nanotechnology for environmental remediation purposes. These findings pave the way for the development of practical applications in water purification and pollution control strategies.

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) only use magnetic cues for migratory directionality with orientation re-calibrated by coldness

Each fall, Eastern North American monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) leave their northern range and migrate to their overwintering sites high atop mountains in central Mexico. Although monarchs primarily rely on the use of a bidirectional time-compensated sun compass to maintain southwards directionality en route to Mexico, on overcast sky days when directional daylight cues are unavailable, monarchs can use an inclination-based magnetic compass to maintain correct directionality. As compass cues can only be used to determine direction, monarchs must use other mechanisms for recognizing, locating, and ultimately stopping at their overwintering sites. Although previous work found no evidence of monarchs using a fine-scale magnetic map for locating their specific overwintering sites, monarchs might still use magnetic cues in a general sense, such as when recognizing that they have overshot their destination or have gone off course. Here, using righting response orientation trials, we show that fall monarchs maintain equatorward (southward) orientation even when tested under artificially generated magnetic field conditions consistent with either their overwintering sites or magnetic conditions geographically south of these sites. We also found that fall migrants exposed to overwintering-like coldness reverse their orientation poleward (northward). This result indicates that the monarch’s magnetic compass is also recalibrated by the cold temperature microenvironment at the overwintering sites, as has been shown previously with its time-compensated sun compass. Our results indicate that migratory monarchs must use other cues for locating and stopping at their migratory destination. Our discovery that coldness recalibrates multiple compass mechanisms in a long-distance migratory species underscores the threat of climate change and corresponding increasing temperatures on animal migration.

Understanding the perspectives of people with dementia and family carers about clinical pharmacists in primary care: A qualitative study

Background The number of people living with dementia is increasing, placing significant strain on healthcare systems and family carers. Primary care teams, including clinical pharmacists, are crucial in supporting people with dementia. While clinical pharmacists have demonstrated benefits in other areas of healthcare, their role in dementia care is less understood. This study aims to explore the perspectives of people with dementia and family carers on the potential contributions of clinical pharmacists to dementia support within primary care in England. Objectives To explore the views and perspectives of people with dementia and family carers of dementia care received from primary care teams, with a specific focus on clinical pharmacists in England. Methods We conducted thirteen semi-structured interviews with family carers and fifteen with people with dementia in 2022–2024. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Three overarching themes, were developed from the interviews: 1) Recognising the value of clinical pharmacists 2) Building and developing rapport, with personalised care and a holistic approach; and 3) The needs of patients without clinical pharmacy support – left in uncertainty about their care. Conclusion This study highlights the potential of clinical pharmacists in dementia care, highlighting both positive experiences as well as unmet needs of those who did not have access to the service. Awareness of these services hinder the impact that they might be able to achieve otherwise. Increasing awareness, standardising training, and further research on service delivery models are crucial.

Elucidating the Biosynthetic Pathway and Mechanisms of Retrochalcones

The effect of tablet-based multimodal training on cognitive functioning in Alzheimer’s disease: A randomized controlled trial

Background Computerized cognitive training conducted in a home setting has shown beneficial effects on cognitive functions in people with mild cognitive impairment. Similar effects in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have not yet been found. We aimed to examine the effect of a six-month tablet-based multimodal training in community-dwelling people with mild to moderate AD on cognitive functions and on the volume of (sub)cortical structures. Methods Within a randomized controlled trial, a six-month (un)supervised tablet-based multimodal training including cognitive and physical exercises in people with mild to moderate AD (n = 11) was compared to a control group (n = 11) that received cognitive paper-and-pencil exercises for voluntary, unsupervised training. Participants in the intervention group were visited by professional trainers on a weekly basis for joint, supervised training sessions and were encouraged to train alone or with a caregiver as often as possible. Neuropsychological examination included assessments of global cognitive functions, memory, attention, executive functions, and verbal fluency. Freesurfer analyses of T1-weighted scans from structural magnetic resonance imaging were used to assess volumes of specific (sub)cortical areas (e.g., hippocampal volume). Results Over six months, the intervention group showed a stable global cognitive function score (Mini Mental Status Examination), whereas the control group showed a cognitive decline (ANCOVA-interaction: F1, 14 = 5.083, p = .041; controlled for disease duration and education). No other selective cognitive domain showed a significant time-by-group difference. No difference in cerebral volumes were detected. Conclusion The tablet-based multimodal training with cognitive and physical activation has positive effects on global cognitive functions of people with mild to moderate AD over a six-month training period, but lacks measurable transferability to other cognitive domains such as memory, attention or executive functions or brain structure. Further research on such interventions using high-quality longitudinal designs is recommended. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04628702).

Titanium-, Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Flowers Catalyze Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction Reaction to Ammonia

Using safe and ethical technology to prevent and respond to sexual and interpersonal violence during adolescence and young adulthood: Identifying evidence, best practices, and pathways forward—A global scoping review protocol

Background Adolescents and young adults face elevated risks of sexual and interpersonal violence (SIV) compared to adults. Technology has been used to help mitigate this issue by mapping incidents, supporting victims, and promoting behavior change to prevent re-occurrence. However, there is a risk that technology could facilitate abuse. Ensuring technology use is safe and ethical in the context of SIV is critical. Objective This protocol provides a roadmap for a scoping review to synthesize global literature on how technology has been used to address SIV among adolescents and young adults. It aims to identify evidence and strategies for enhancing the safety, privacy, and effectiveness of technologies to prevent and respond to SIV. A scoping review was chosen because the evidence in this field is still emerging and fragmented. This approach allows us to map the breadth of existing research, highlight gaps, and make recommendations on the pathways forward. Materials and methods A search strategy was developed to identify English-language studies published since 2008, the year of the emergence of smartphones in the United States, in databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus. We will include qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies that use technology (e.g., mobile apps, websites) to address SIV among youth. This scoping review protocol was prepared following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P), which will be adhered to during content analysis review process. Covidence, a web-based platform for systematic review management, will be used to manage screening and data extraction. Two independent reviewers will screen and extract data, with disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. Discussion The findings of the proposed scoping review have the potential to contribute to improving technology safety, data privacy, and ethical considerations in the context of reporting and tracking SIV, alongside informing future metrics, policies, guidelines, and platform designs, contributing to the creation of more secure and effective tools for SIV reporting and tracking. Scoping review registration This protocol has been registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF): https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/WUNT9

N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Ligated Mixed-Valent Linear Cu₃ Cluster for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Nitrite Reduction

The EuropaBON Stakeholder Dashboard: A dynamic web application to map Europe’s biodiversity community

Europe’s biodiversity faces increasing pressure from climate change, pollution, and habitat loss, while governments struggle to sustain the monitoring efforts required to respond effectively to these challenges. Addressing this gap calls for a coordinated and inclusive approach that brings together all relevant biodiversity stakeholders to co-design a robust European biodiversity monitoring system. To support this, the Europa Biodiversity Observation Network (EuropaBON) has established one of the most comprehensive biodiversity stakeholder networks in Europe. To analyse this community and support evidence-based improvements, we developed the EuropaBON Stakeholder Dashboard – a dynamic, interactive web application that maps and visualises the EuropaBON stakeholder network’s structure in real-time. Accessible at https://europabon.org/dashboard, the dashboard enables users to explore stakeholder connections across three key dimensions: occupational sector, realm (terrestrial, freshwater, marine), and geographic region. It displays detailed network graphs, an interactive map, and summary statistics that highlight institutional positions in biodiversity data flows (e.g., data users, data providers, or both), levels of participation in EuropaBON activities, and connections to key EU projects and infrastructures. Users can identify the most central and active institutions in the network, filter and download data, and assess coverage across different thematic areas and regions. This tool supports both researchers and policymakers by offering an up-to-date overview of who is involved in biodiversity monitoring across Europe, where collaborations exist, and where further engagement is needed. By combining technological integration with stakeholder participation, the EuropaBON Stakeholder Dashboard enhances transparency, promotes inclusivity, and contributes to a more coordinated and effective biodiversity monitoring landscape in Europe.

Supramolecular Complexation of Quenched Rosamines with Cucurbit[7]Uril: Fluorescence Turn-ON Effect for Super-Resolution Imaging

Exploring outdoor workers’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived risks of heatwaves in Nepal

Background The rise in global temperatures due to climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of heat waves, disproportionately affecting outdoor workers. This is particularly concerning in low- and middle-income countries like Nepal, where inadequate policies and limited awareness leave outdoor workers highly vulnerable. This study explores the knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP), and perceived risks of heatwaves among outdoor workers in Nepal. Methods A cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted across eight districts in five provinces of Nepal, surveying 356 outdoor workers from five occupational groups: street vendors, agricultural workers, rickshaw drivers/pullers, laborers, and service workers. Eleven focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to gain deeper insights. Descriptive statistics were used to assess KAP scores, while Kernel-Based Regularized Least Square (KRLS) analysis examined the variations in practice scores among groups. Thematic analysis was applied to FGDs. The quantitative analysis was done in STATA-14, and the qualitative analysis was conducted manually. Results The average age of participants in the study was 37.2 years (SD = 10.5), and just over half (57%) were male. On average, they had worked outdoors for about 10.7 years (SD = 8.6). Among all participants, 43% had heard of heatwaves, 86.2% were aware of heat-related incidents, and 78.6% had personally experienced them. Awareness about heatwave was positively associated with the practices of heat protection for the overall sample (practice score = 1.46, p < 0.001). Age was found to be negatively associated with the practices of heat protection (practice score = −0.03, p < 0.001). Compared to females, males had lesser practices of heat protection (practice score = −0.97, p < 0.001). Conclusion Heatwaves pose significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable outdoor workers who often lack knowledge about protective measures. This highlights an urgent need for government-led interventions and awareness programs at both community and policy levels to address and mitigate heat stress.

Regulating the Assembly of γ-Cyclodextrin Host and Polyoxometalate-Based Guests toward Light-Responsive Hybrid Rotaxanes

Molecular surveillance of hepatitis E virus in wastewater in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen mainly transmitted through contaminated food or water in sub-Saharan countries, highlighting the need for environmental surveillance. This study aimed to assess the burden and molecular characterization of HEV in environmental wastewater. Method A community-based surveillance was conducted in Yaoundé, Cameroon, using untreated wastewater samples collected monthly from January to December 2023 from hospitals, residential sewage systems, markets, and plant watering points. Molecular phylogeny was performed on sequences from the Open Reading Frame 1 region. Results HEV was detected in 26.4% (19/72) of all sites, with prevalence ranging from 8.3% (1/12) in hospitals to 41.7% (5/12) in residential areas (p = 0.0022). Of the 19 positives, HEV detection was highest in specific residential areas (26.3%) and plant watering points (15.8%). Detection rates were significantly higher during the short dry season (36.8%) and long dry season (31.6%) compared to the short-wet season (21.05%) and long-wet season (10.53%) (p = 0.034). Phylogenetic analysis of the sequenced samples revealed that the detected HEV strains are closely related to Orthohepevirus C genotype C1 previously associated with rodents rather than to the classical human HEV genotypes. This finding raises important questions about possible zoonotic transmission in densely populated urban areas. Conclusion This is the first study to report HEV detection and genetic analysis in wastewater from the Mfoundi Division of Yaoundé, and only the second such report in Cameroon. The presence of HEV in community wastewater, especially from residential and irrigation sites, suggests widespread circulation and potential environmental and foodborne risks. The identification of HEV-C1-like strains highlights the possible role of rodents in transmission. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating wastewater surveillance into public health strategies and call for further research on zoonotic sources through a One Health lens.

Study protocol of D1Ce Screen: A pilot project of the Italian national screening program for type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease in the paediatric population

Background The D1Ce Screen pilot study stems from the Italian Republic Law 130/2023 introducing the screening based on autoantibody measurement on capillary blood for the identification of people in pre-symptomatic, early phase of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and/or having silent celiac disease (CD) in the general paediatric population to reduce the impact of the two more frequent and severe chronic diseases of childhood. Aim Primary aim is to assess, on a smaller scale, the organizational feasibility, acceptability and sustainability by the National Health Service of the screening program to be conducted nationwide in Italy according to the law. Methods and analysis This is an observational multicenter study, planning to screen 5,363 children from four Italian regions (Lombardy, Marche, Campania, Sardinia), proportionally distributed according to population of the single Regions, representative of the North, Centre, South and Islands of Italy. Participants are screened by autoantibodies within three classes of age 2–2.9, 6–6.9, and 10–10.9 years, corresponding to reported peaks of seroconversion, in order to maximize the identification of future cases of disease. HLA typing for HLA DQ2 and DQ8 is also performed for CD risk in dry blood spots (DBS). Screening procedures are conducted by primary care paediatricians (PCPs), responsible for: direct contact with families; information about the study; administration of written informed consent, privacy statement and questionnaires; execution of blood drawing by finger prick; capillary blood collection for autoantibody and HLA testing and shipment to the central laboratory. Feasibility, acceptability and sustainability will be estimated by number of participating paediatricians; screened children in the four Regions and within the classes of age; feedback questionnaires; number of fingerpicks to obtain sufficient capillary blood for assays; any adverse events; costs evaluation in relation to assigned budget. Secondary objectives include frequency of T1D and CD specific autoantibodies to assess the prevalence of pre-symptomatic (Stage 1 and Stage 2) TD1 and undiagnosed CD in the three classes of age of general paediatric population. Study registration D1Ce Screen is not registered to any International Study Registry, as it is a pilot observational study requested by the Italian law 130/2023.

Image classification optimization technology based on differentiable neural architecture search improvement model

Image classification, as the core task of computer vision, has broad application value in fields such as medical diagnosis and intelligent transportation.However, the ability of differentiable neural architecture to search (NAS) for local information is weak, which limits the accuracy and long-distance information capture capability of the algorithm. Therefore, based on this, the study introduces visual attention mechanism and proposes an improved model that replaces the original convolution operator and adds residual structure in the macro structure to enhance the model’s information acquisition ability and classification accuracy. The research results show that after 600 rounds of training on the CIFAR-10 dataset, the final accuracy of the improved model reached 97.2%. The runtime memory usage on the CIFAR-100 dataset is only 44.52%, a decrease of 44.56% compared to the baseline model. In the testing on the ImageNet dataset, the classification accuracy of the research model is 94.01, the search parameter required is only 4.8MB, the search time is shortened to 0.5d, and the minimum number of floating-point operations is 3.7G, significantly better than other mainstream algorithms. The above results indicate that the research method can effectively solve the shortcomings of traditional differentiable neural architecture search in local and remote information acquisition capabilities, providing important technical support for improving the accuracy and efficiency of image classification technology.

Directly Oxidizing Ethanol to Glycolic Acid over a Single-Rh-Site Catalyst via Water-Mediated Oxygen Shuttle

Legume integration in smallholder farming systems for food security and resilience to climate change

A random sample of 847 households (HHs) in southern Ethiopia was used to assess the impact of HH characteristics, land and livestock ownership, seasonal variations, and agricultural challenges on cereals and legumes, crucial to community livelihoods. A structured survey was integrated into the ODK data collection tool, validated, and used with trained agricultural agents, and analyzed using an R statistical package. Farm productivity was significantly influenced by gender, since male headed HHs produced 25.5% more yield than female headed HHs. Livestock ownership, land cultivation, farm productivity and product utilizations were also varied among the HHs. Furthermore, agricultural practices like labor utilization, fertilizer and composite application, and use of improved seed varieties significantly affected the farm productivity. Besides, maize was identified as the principal and top-priority crop, while common bean (legume) was the second-priority crop for local people. This shows that legumes were important in the region’s agricultural systems, but some farmers experienced reduced productivity due to poor agronomic practices. Consequently, a substantial proportion of farmers (>50%) faced food shortages from February to June, representing the peak of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season (April to May). Integrating early-maturing legumes in the farming system would help to escape the food shortage periods. Many farmers disclosed that the cost of chemical fertilizers’ was unaffordable, indicating a need for options like use of rhizobia inoculants and showed interest to use on their farms for improved productivities.

Electrostatic Fields Induce Accelerated Proton Coupled Electron Transfer Rates in Chlorophyll Model Compounds

Research on prostate brachytherapy puncture control strategy based on adaptive PID control with FBG sensors

This paper enhances prostate brachytherapy robot accuracy by developing a needle deflection prediction model and a controlled puncturing strategy, addressing current challenges and trends. The study addresses the challenges in needle deflection prediction by proposing a correction force-based prediction model. The puncture control strategy comprises two phases: preoperative needle trajectory planning and intraoperative approach adjustment, both relying on corrective force. During operative adjustment, a model predicting and counteracting needle tip deflection ensures accurate corrective force application. An adaptive PID controller, utilizing Reinforcement Learning (RL), regulates corrective force for precise puncture accuracy. A dedicated experimental platform was constructed to validate the puncture control strategy for prostate seed implantation. The seed implantation’s average error was 1.96 mm, with a standard error of 0.56 mm. Experiments show that correction force in the strategy significantly reduces tip deflection, enhancing seed implantation precision.