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Learning in a noisy world: How lucky successes and unlucky failures shape learning consequences

Learning is noisy. People can face unlucky failure , in which they fail despite using effective strategies, or experience lucky success , in which they succeed in spite of using suboptimal strategies. Both situations can serve as potentially valuable learning opportunities, as long as performance outcomes are interpreted accurately. This report examines people’s ability to recognize and adjust for these errors during the learning process. Our pilot data demonstrated that people assumed that noise affected failure at greater rates, and thereby believed successful outcomes were more informative learning cues. Based on these findings, our research aims to investigate whether experiencing a lucky success is more detrimental to future learning than experiencing unlucky failure, especially when it occurs at the beginning of a learning process. In other words, we seek to understand whether learners sufficiently discount the role of noise in successful outcomes or place too much weight on the informative value of their success, thereby hindering their learning when these outcomes are noisy.

Effects of acute, subacute, and chronic sleep deprivation on self-injury–like behavior in adolescent rats

Mapping histologic and functional maturation of human endocrine pancreas across early postnatal periods

Child poverty in armed conflict regions of Africa: A scoping review protocol

Objective In this scoping review, we aim to identify and map the dimensions and underrepresented multidimensional aspects of child poverty in armed conflict regions of Africa. We will develop a framework for the multidimensional aspects of child poverty in conflict-affected countries in Africa to address poverty as per United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1. This review will provide a comprehensive understanding of how the multidimensional aspects of child poverty are unique in conflict regions, adding layers to the existing Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) Multiple Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (MODA). Introduction Armed conflict affects many countries globally, with Africa ranking second in conflict prevalence. One in four African children experience significant deprivation. No existing scoping or systematic review has examined the multidimensional nature of child poverty in African conflict settings. Inclusion criteria This review will include studies involving children from birth to 18 years of age living in African armed conflict contexts and will include at least one dimension of child poverty. Methods This Priori protocol will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology to recognize the methodologically rigorous approaches of conducting scoping reviews. This approach will be used to plan, standardize, and increase the transparency of the scoping review outline. Eligible sources will include peer-reviewed publications in English, French, or Portuguese from Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, and WHO Africa Index Medicus (AIM), as well as grey literature from nongovernmental and international agencies, ProQuest, and the Open Access Theses and Dissertations (OATD) database. This review will use a comprehensive search strategy, manage screening and data extraction through Covidence integrated with Zotero, and use Google Translate for preliminary translation of French and Portuguese texts. This protocol, registered with Open Science Framework (OSF), outlines a rigorous and transparent approach to mapping existing evidence on child poverty in African armed conflict settings.

Randomized trial of a single-session digital intervention targeting emotion-related beliefs and emotion regulation

Autonomous Motion Vision with Tri-bulk-heterojunctioned Organic Adaptation Transistor

Correction: Research on fire scenario analysis and emergency response strategies for L-shaped buildings using FDS

Dynamics of water droplet tumble over obstacles on hydrophobic surfaces

Discovery of 5’ NAD capped viral RNAs reveals evolutionary divergent 5’ metabolite capping across hepaciviruses

Cultural capital and health literacy among urban communities in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study

Health literacy is an important determinant of health outcomes, yet many approaches continue to emphasize individual cognitive skills while giving limited attention to the sociocultural resources that shape how people engage with health information. This study examined the association between cultural capital and multiple dimensions of health literacy among urban communities in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 325 adults residing in selected urban communities in Ipoh, Perak. A cluster-based approach was used to identify study locations, followed by community-based convenience recruitment within selected clusters. Cultural capital was assessed across embodied, objectified and institutionalized dimensions, while health literacy was measured using the validated HLS-M-Q18 instrument, which captures access, understanding, evaluation and application of health information. All constructs demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.822 to 0.931). Spearman’s rank correlation was used for bivariate analysis due to non-normality, while multiple linear regression estimated the independent contribution of each form of cultural capital to each health literacy domain. Cultural capital was significantly associated with all dimensions of health literacy (p < 0.001). Institutionalized cultural capital was the strongest predictor of access (β = 0.298, p < 0.001) and understanding (β = 0.305, p < 0.001), whereas embodied cultural capital was the only significant predictor of evaluation (β = 0.537, p < 0.001) and the strongest predictor of application (β = 0.359, p < 0.001). Cultural capital explained between 28.2% and 41.9% of the variance across outcomes. Differences were also observed across education and income levels. These findings indicate that health literacy is not determined by access to information alone but is shaped by broader social and cultural resources. Public health interventions should therefore move beyond information provision and strengthen the experiential and contextual capacities that enable individuals to evaluate and apply health information in everyday life.

Cyber-physical inspection systems for high-accuracy industrial operations: standards-aligned architecture and sensor-driven traceability

Transcriptome analysis in osteoarthritis primary tissues identifies high-confidence effector genes

Abstract Osteoarthritis, a whole-joint degenerative disorder, is a major public health burden that affects nearly 600 million individuals worldwide, with no disease-modifying treatment. Molecular profiling of relevant tissues is crucial for understanding the biology of disease development. Here, we generate a comprehensive map of cis - and trans - transcriptional regulation in disease-relevant primary tissues from knee osteoarthritis patients: macroscopically intact (low-grade, n = 261) and degenerated (high-grade, n = 212) cartilage, synovium (n = 277), and fat pad (n = 92). We identify 10,166 unique expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL)-associated genes, 61.1% of which have not been reported in previous osteoarthritis eQTL studies, and uncover cartilage grade-specific genetic regulation. Using the largest osteoarthritis genome-wide association study to date, we find colocalization evidence with 136 genes and prioritize 45 high-confidence effector genes. At colocalizing loci, osteoarthritis risk alleles are associated with increased expression of genes involved in chondrogenic and hypertrophic signaling and decreased expression of genes encoding regulatory and modulatory components of these pathways. By integrating the eQTL maps with functional data, we delineate regulatory architectures for osteoarthritis risk variants, including promoter-enhancer loops and transcription factor binding effects. Finally, we provide directional evidence highlighting drugs targeting LGALS3 and SMAD7 as repurposing opportunities for osteoarthritis treatment.

Dexamethasone restores blood–brain barrier integrity in an in vitro heatstroke model

Heat-related diseases and their treatments are becoming the center of focus due to global warming resulting in rising global temperatures. Heatstroke is the most hazardous condition of heat-related diseases, which when left untreated leads to death. One of the main characteristics of heatstroke is the dysfunction of the central nervous system. In this study, we established an in vitro heatstroke model of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) consisting of endothelial cells and pericytes. Following heat exposure at 43°C for 3 h, the model failed to recover during the subsequent 24 h regeneration period. The damage was shown by decreased transendothelial resistance (p < 0,0001) and confirmed by permeability assays and immunohistochemistry with in silico analysis. We subsequently evaluated the effect of dexamethasone in our heatstroke model. Administration of dexamethasone post-heatstroke alleviated BBB damage during the regeneration period, by increasing transendothelial electrical resistance and ZO-1 expression while reducing BBB permeability. Our findings suggest that dexamethasone reduces heatstroke damage at the BBB in in vitro conditions.

Optimization of linear attenuation coefficients and characterization of mechanical and thermal properties in silica ash-reinforced PDMS composites

Abstract This investigation engineers multifunctional polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites incorporating 0–50 wt% silica ash a valorized industrial byproduct as lightweight, sustainable gamma-ray shielding elastomers. Narrow-beam attenuation experiments spanning diagnostic-to-isotope energies (59.5-1332.5 keV) quantify a monotonic enhancement in linear attenuation coefficients (µ), escalating from 0.3011 cm⁻¹ (pure PDMS) to 0.3651 cm⁻¹ (50 wt% ash) at 59.5 keV, with concomitant reductions in half-value layer (HVL) from 2.30 cm to 1.90 cm. This stems from a paradigm shift in photon interaction physics: photoelectric dominance (< 100 keV) amplifies via elevated effective atomic number (Z eff ), transitioning to density-mediated Compton scattering (≥ 661.66 keV), validated by < 3.76% deviation from NIST XCOM photon cross-sections. Lead-equivalence analysis reveals the 50 wt% composite demands merely 10–14× lead thickness in the Compton regime, underscoring superior mass efficiency. Hierarchical microstructural analysis (SEM, EDX, XRF) elucidate homogeneous nanofiller dispersion and robust siloxane-filler interfacial coupling, driving progressive stiffening (Young’s modulus: 0.026 to 0.157 MPa at 40 wt%). Optimal mechano-elastic performance manifests at 15 wt% (tensile strength: 0.357 MPa; toughness: 0.591 MJ·m⁻³), beyond which agglomeration induces embrittlement. Thermogravimetric profiles reveal an initial stabilization peak at 10 wt% ash, followed by catalytic depolymerization at higher loadings, rationalized by Lewis acid-base interactions accelerating Si-O bond scission despite augmented char residue. These composites (optimized at 10–20 wt%) exhibit enhanced radiation attenuation together with improved mechanical resilience and elastomeric flexibility, demonstrating their potential for flexible radiation shielding applications.

Freestanding ferroelectric membranes via ionic unlocking van der Waals interface

Long-term neuron tracking reveals balance of stability and plasticity in functional properties

Neural stability is essential for executing learned motor behaviors while plasticity provides the flexibility needed to adapt to new tasks and environments. Although low-dimensional neural population dynamics exhibit long-term stability, the extent to which individual neurons retain their functional properties over time and balance the need for both stability and plasticity remains an open question. Tracking individual neurons across multiple recording sessions is crucial to addressing this question, yet conventional methods face challenges such as electrode drift, waveform variability, and large inter-electrode distances that limit the number of channels a neuron is observed on. Here, we introduce a waveform-based neuron tracking method optimized for standard microelectrode arrays, enabling the identification of the same neurons across sessions without relying on spatial overlap, a strategy commonly leveraged with high-density electrode arrays. We apply this method to assess the longitudinal stability of multiple neural properties, including firing rates, inter-spike intervals, tuning properties, and spike-field interactions. Our findings reveal that while spike waveform properties remain stable, certain functional properties such as ISI and tuning can exhibit gradual shifts, suggesting a balance between neural stability and plasticity. Understanding the persistence of individual neural signals provides insight into learning and adaptation while advancing the study of neural stability and plasticity over extended timescales. Beyond basic neuroscience, this framework has potential to enhance the long-term reliability of brain-machine interfaces and closed-loop deep brain stimulation systems that rely on chronic neural sensing.

Hypervigilance and kinesiophobia characterize distinct exploratory data-driven profiles of temporomandibular disorders

Abstract Hypervigilance and kinesiophobia have been associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), but their relationship with specific diagnostic profiles remains unclear. This study investigated the association between TMD diagnoses, hypervigilance, and kinesiophobia, and whether these variables could differentiate distinct clinical profiles across painful and non-painful conditions. In this multicenter cross-sectional observational study, 862 adults aged 18 to 50 years from Brazil, Chile, and Portugal were classified as controls, non-painful TMD, or painful TMD. Diagnoses were established using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Hypervigilance and kinesiophobia were assessed using the Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire (PVAQ) and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia for TMD (TSK/TMD). Statistical analyses included factor analysis of mixed data, hierarchical clustering on principal components, and partial least squares discriminant analysis, followed by multivariate and regression analyses to assess potential associations between psychosocial variables and TMD diagnoses. Among 862 participants (312 controls, 550 TMD), kinesiophobia and hypervigilance increased across groups, with the highest levels in painful TMD ( p  < 0.001). Unsupervised clustering identified three distinct profiles aligned with clinical presentation: controls with low psychological burden, non-painful TMD with intermediate levels, and painful TMD with elevated kinesiophobia and hypervigilance. Multivariate analyses showed associations of psychosocial variables with TMD diagnoses, with kinesiophobia consistently driving group differences, while age, gender, and pain vigilance had a moderate influence. Among TMD subgroups, joint pain was associated with higher pain vigilance and muscular TMD with higher kinesiophobia, suggesting greater clinical complexity. Higher levels of hypervigilance and kinesiophobia were associated with painful and clinical more complex TMD profiles.

An achromatic neutron lens

Abstract Neutrons provide exceptional insight into materials, owing to their sensitivity to light elements, isotopic composition, magnetic moments, and high-penetration. However, neutron sources are polychromatic and of low brightness. Neutron optics provides a route to address these limitations by focusing, and to date, various types of neutron optics have been developed based on reflection, refraction, diffraction, and magnetism. Notably, compound refractive lenses and Fresnel zone plates have been demonstrated for imaging, yet their severe chromatic aberration under polychromatic beams has prevented their widespread use and limits progress towards true high-resolution neutron microscopy. Here, we demonstrate an achromatic neutron lens for full-field neutron microscopy. This development overcomes the intrinsic sample-detector distance constraint in pinhole-based radiography. The lens magnification enables the use of efficient detection systems without loss of spatial resolution and establishes a pathway towards high-resolution neutron microscopy. We anticipate the neutron achromat will advance a broad range of neutron methods.

Visual acuity in controls and patients measured with Maxwellian view and a 3 mm pupil: Examining potential effects of inherent and induced aberrations

We sought to improve the measurement of visual acuity (VA) by reducing the effect of unwanted optical artifacts in patients with retinal disease. We evaluated the effects of age and of inherent and induced aberrations on VA for controls and patients with changes to the posterior segment, anterior segment, or both. We tested VA in 30 controls and 17 patients, using Maxwellian view and a 3 mm pupil. This method reduces wavefront aberrations and allows high spatial frequency information to be transmitted at a constant retinal illuminance. We reduced glare, crowding, and fixation errors by projecting a single letter E in a small field size. We corrected only defocus, then determined the extent to which VA and standard deviation (SD) were influenced by age and inherent wavefront aberrations (astigmatism, spherical aberration, and root mean square error higher order aberrations (RMSHO)), as well as by induced aberrations (spherical aberrations and coma). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provided central macular thickness (CMT), which was compared to wavefront and VA results to determine the effect of retinal status. The use of Maxwellian view and a 3 mm pupil reduced aberrations, but the association between VA and inherent astigmatism ( p  = 0.011) was significant for controls, although not for patients. For controls, RMSHO significantly increased with age ( p  = 0.014), despite no impact on VA. Induced aberrations, which were as large as with 5 mm pupils, significantly worsened mean VA in controls ( p  < 0.001) and patients ( p  < 0.001), more for positive spherical aberrations than negative. Using Maxwellian view and a 3 mm pupil reduced optical aberrations and their effects on VA, important in managing patients with retinal disease. Only residual astigmatism was related to poorer VA.

Sorption and desorption of 17α−ethinylestradiol (EE2) and β−estradiol (E2) to nylon microparticles