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Repeated loss of function at HD mating-type genes and of recombination in anther-smut fungi

Barriers and facilitators of advance care planning practices in multi-disciplinary, multi-facility palliative care for Japan’s aging population: A qualitative analysis

Globally, multi-disciplinary advance care planning (ACP) in multi-facility settings for aging communities is essential; however, it does not consistently yield the desired outcomes. Japan’s population is rapidly aging; nonetheless, no studies have examined comprehensive ACP implementation by diverse professionals across various community healthcare facilities. Within the context of an aging community, this study aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators to ACP implementation by multiple professionals in various healthcare facilities. A qualitative research design was employed. The study participants included 22 multidisciplinary members of a community-based palliative care (CBPC) team. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted between September and October 2019. A total of 19 barriers and 19 facilitators were identified and categorized into seven practice domains: “Understanding patients’ intentions,” “Family support,” “Information sharing using tools,” “Collaboration among multiple professions,” “Cross-facility and cross-departmental cooperation,” “Raising awareness in the community,” and “Efforts by implementation promoters and their departments.” Barriers included “Inability to understand the patient’s intentions,” “Physical and psychological distance between patient and family,” and “Different information needs and sharing methods at each facility,” among others. Facilitators included “Skills for better understanding the true meaning of patients’ intentions,” “Compatibility of daily tasks and ACP by utilizing tools,” “Human connections between professionals in multiple facilities and departments,” and “Engagement with ACP implementation,” among others. The study identified important domains for practical ACP implementation using a community-based palliative care team collaborating across multiple community facilities, as well as the barriers and facilitators. The findings indicate that multi-disciplinary, multi-facility ACP implementation in regions with aging populations requires establishing a regional collaborative network system and a human network. Healthcare professionals must develop practical ACP experience to identify its benefits while enhancing their skills as “advocates.”

Pyrazolone-Modified Photosensitizers for Precise Cell Membrane Rupture to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy

GraftIQ: Hybrid multi-class neural network integrating clinical insight for multi-outcome prediction in liver transplant recipients

Therapy-based strategies to support tummy time in infants post-hospital discharge: A scoping review protocol

Tummy time is essential for infant development, yet many caregivers face significant challenges with adherence due to behavioral and contextual barriers. While numerous tummy time interventions exist, a limited understanding of their behavioral components hinders effective replication and implementation. This scoping review aims to identify multidisciplinary interventions used to promote tummy time in infants aged 0–12 months, evaluate their impact on adherence, developmental and health outcomes, and examine the behavior change techniques employed using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology, a comprehensive search will be conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), ClinicalTrials.gov, and gray literature sources for relevant studies published in English between January 1994 and January 2025. Eligible studies will include experimental research involving infants aged 0–12 months who received targeted tummy time interventions following hospital discharge across various early intervention settings. Data extraction will be performed by two independent reviewers using a customized tool, with results presented as a narrative summary, tabular form, or diagrams, as appropriate. Findings from this review will inform the development of behaviorally grounded, clinically feasible tummy time strategies that are better aligned with caregiver needs.

Ca₇(TeO₃)₆(MoO₄): A Promising Mid-Infrared Nonlinear Optical Crystal Activated via a Module-Oriented Dimensionality Reduction Strategy

Chiral dual-annihilator model for controllable photon upconversion and multi-dimensional optical modulation

Inaccurate labelling practices in probiotic products: A regulatory shortfall in Accra, Ghana

The global market for probiotics has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by increased interest in their health benefits. However, amidst the substantial expansion of this industry, there are still challenges regarding their quality control, especially in the aspect of labelling accuracy, hence reliability. This study evaluated the labelling accuracy and availability of probiotic products in Ayawaso West Municipality, Accra, Ghana. Using a stratified sampling design, 120 pharmacies within the Municipality were randomly selected and assessed for availability of probiotics and labels scrutinized. Visual inspection of the product labels was carried out utilizing a probiotic product label assessment checklist developed as a guide. The checklist covered information including brand details, probiotic species/strains, cell quantity, ingredients, label claims, dosage instructions and expiration dates. The checklist was based on recommended labelling requirements by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) and the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and International Probiotics Association (IPA). The findings from this study revealed 78.3% of pharmacies in the Ayawaso West Municipality offered probiotic supplements and/or probiotic foods. Disparities in recommended label requirements and the labels of probiotic products found within the Municipality was observed. Labelling issues were more prevalent in probiotic foods than supplements. Compliance for the probiotic supplements was 74% and 44% for the probiotic food. Common issues included lack of essential information like cell quantity or CFU (colony-forming-unit), lack of statement of specific probiotic strain contained in the product, lack of scientific references supporting health claims and un-existing bacteria names. The probiotic foods occasionally stated the genus, and some did not indicate species or strain contained in the product. The study sheds light on the gaps in labelling practices in the probiotic market in Ghana and advocates for greater compliance and proper regulation of probiotics.

Triple Labeling Resolves a GPCR Intermediate State by Using Three-Color Single Molecule FRET

Contemporary income inequality outweighs historic redlining in shaping intra-urban heat disparities in Los Angeles

Abstract The roots of intra-urban heat disparity in the U.S. often trace back to historical discriminatory practices, such as redlining, which categorized neighborhoods by race or ethnicity. In this study, we compare the relative impacts of historic redlining and current income inequality on thermal disparities in Los Angeles. A key innovation of our work is the use of land surface temperature data from the ECOSTRESS instrument aboard the International Space Station, enabling us to capture diurnal trends in urban thermal disparities. Our findings reveal that present-day income inequality is a stronger predictor of heat burden than the legacy of redlining. Additionally, land surface temperature disparities exhibit a seasonal hysteresis effect, intensifying during extreme heat events by 5−7 °C. Sociodemographic analysis highlights that African-American and Hispanic populations in historically and economically disadvantaged areas are often the most vulnerable. Our findings suggest that while the legacy of redlining may persist, the present-day heat disparities are not necessarily an immutable inheritance, where targeted investments and interventions can pave the way for a more thermally just future for these communities.

Examining the correlation between referee physical fitness, in-game performance metrics, and team dynamics in the Chinese super league

This study investigates the relationship between referees’ physical fitness, their in-game performance, and team dynamics in the Chinese Super League (CSL). The sample comprised 173 matches from the 2021 CSL season, involving 30 referees (mean age 41 years). The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between referees’ physical fitness tests and their match performance indicator, as well as the referee’s game performance and the home and away teams’ game performance. Key findings include a significant positive correlation between referees’ RSAVARIATION and the average speed during home possession (r =  0.16, p =  0.04). Additionally, RASBEST and RASAVERAGE were found to have small to moderate negative correlations with the referees’ total distance, average speed, and high-intensity activities during games (r =  -0.20 to -0.34, p < 0.001). Furthermore, significant positive correlations were observed between referees’ match performance metrics and the physical outputs of both home and away teams. These findings provide valuable insights for enhancing the understanding of factors influencing referee performance and can inform referee training, testing, and selection processes.

Heterointercalation in Chevrel-Phase Sulfides: A Model Periodic Solid for the Investigation of Chain Electron Transfer

Anisotropic atom motion on a row-wise antiferromagnetic surface

Abstract Diffusion on surfaces is a fundamental process in surface science, governing nanostructure and film growth, as well as molecular self-assembly, chemical reactions and catalysis. Atom motion on non-magnetic surfaces has been studied extensively both theoretically and by real-space techniques such as field ion microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy. For magnetic surfaces ab-initio calculations have predicted strong effects of the magnetic state onto adatom diffusion, but to date no corresponding experimental data exists. Here, we investigate different atoms on the hexagonal Mn monolayer on Re(0001) using scanning tunneling microscopy at T = 4.2 K and density functional theory. Experimentally, we observe one-dimensional motion of Co, Rh, and Ir atoms on the hexagonal Mn layer, dictated by the row-wise antiferromagnetic state. Co atoms move up to 10 nm when their motion is initiated by local voltage pulses. Our calculations reveal anisotropic potential landscapes, which favor one-dimensional motion for both Rh and Co atoms, avoiding induced Rh spin moments and conserving the Co spin direction during movement, respectively. These findings demonstrate that the magnetic properties of a system can be a means to control adatom mobility, even in the case of non-magnetic adatoms.

Introducing heat-not-burn tobacco improves hematocrit and cigarette smoking-related symptoms in patients with smokers’ polycythemia and polycythemia vera

Cigarette smoking induces relative and absolute erythrocytosis (smokers’ polycythemia). In patients with smokers’ polycythemia complicated by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the incidence and mortality rate of pulmonary embolism increase. Therefore, improving erythrocytosis by smoking cessation is important; however, smoking cessation is often difficult to achieve. This study investigated the influence of introducing heat-not-burn tobacco in patients with smokers’ polycythemia. Fifteen smokers with erythrocytosis were diagnosed with smokers’ polycythemia (n = 13) or polycythemia vera (n = 2) groups. The patients selected a switch to heat-not-burn (HNB) tobacco or smoking cessation, and the subsequent changes in hematological data and symptoms were evaluated. Eight patients with smokers’ polycythemia and two with polycythemia vera selected a switch to HNB tobacco, and the other five patients with smokers’ polycythemia selected smoking cessation. In both the HNB tobacco and smoking cessation groups, all patients showed improved hematocrit (Hct) and sputum volume and ameliorated numbness, headache, and vertigo. In the patients with smokers’ polycythemia, Hct of the HNB tobacco group was equivalent to that in the patients with smoking cessation group (47.51 ± 3.48% vs. 45.63 ± 2.79%, P = 0.605). Introduction of HNB tobacco may be useful for reducing erythrocytosis in smokers for whom smoking cessation is difficult.

Consecutive Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of C2-Acylated Quinolines and Quinoxalines: A Diastereodivergent Synthesis of Enantioenriched Tetrahydroquinolines and Tetrahydroquinoxalines Bearing <i>Endo</i>- and <i>Exo</i>cyclic Chirality

Reply to “Proactive measures help shape the EU candidate list of substances of very high concern”

Bio-inspired cryptography based on proteinoid assemblies

We present an innovative cryptographic technique inspired by the self-assembly processes of proteinoids—thermally stable proteins that form spontaneously under prebiotic conditions. By emulating the deterministic yet complex interactions within proteinoid assemblies, the proposed method generates secure encryption keys and algorithms. We measure the unique electrical properties of proteinoid microspheres. Their capacitance values range from –656.6 to 434.9 nF. Then, we convert these measurements into encryption keys using the formula ki=(⌊|Ci|·100⌋mod256). The approach harnesses the inherent unpredictability of proteinoid behavior to create a robust and adaptable encryption framework resilient to cryptanalytic attacks. The encryption process uses modular multiplication: ej=(mj · ki)mod256. This changes plaintext into ciphertext. The security relies on electrical signatures that depend on the composition. Experimental results show that this bio-inspired system aligns with contemporary encryption standards, offering significant benefits in key generation and distribution. Our implementation has a linear computational complexity of O(n). It offers security levels ranging from 8 to 128 bits, based on composition. Additionally, it is energy efficient, performing about 200 operations per joule. Statistical analysis further affirms the high randomness of the generated keys, highlighting the potential of biological processes in advancing cryptographic security.

Two-Dimensional Metal–Organic Framework with High-Performance Single-Molecule Magnets as Nodes Showing Magnetic Coercivity Photomodulation

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective three-component radical 1,4-perfluoroalkylamination of 1,3-dienes

Can new consumption promote urban industrial resilience? Empirical evidence from pilot cities of information consumption

The rapid advancement of digital technology and its widespread application have led to digitalization, personalization, and customization in the demand side of China’s economy. Enhancing industrial resilience through new types of consumption is of great practical significance for expanding domestic demand and promoting high-quality, sustainable economic growth in China. This study examines the impact of the Information Consumption Pilot City (ICPC) policy as a quasi-natural experiment on urban industrial resilience, employing the difference-in-difference (DID) method for empirical analysis. The findings reveal that the ICPC policy significantly enhances the level of urban industrial resilience. Heterogeneity tests indicate that this enhancement effect is particularly pronounced in eastern, central, and larger urban regions. Furthermore, the ICPC policy primarily strengthens urban industrial resilience through three mechanisms: information development, entrepreneurial agglomeration, and digital financial effects. This study contributes to the literature on new consumption and urban industrial resilience in the digital economy, evaluates the economic impacts of pilot policies on information consumption, and offers valuable implications for policymakers.