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The widespread use of smartphones, particularly among young adults, has raised concerns about their impact on cognitive functioning, leading to a growing interest in understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of problematic smartphone use (PSU). Despite evidence linking PSU to negative cognitive and emotional outcomes, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive impairments in PSU individuals remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cognitive fatigue (CF) and brain activity in individuals with PSU. Eighty-one healthy adults underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing cognitively demanding tasks designed to induce CF. Brain activation patterns, functional connectivity, and correlations with behavioral performance and self-reported fatigue were analyzed using brain imaging analyses. The PSU group showed significant activation in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) compared to the non-problematic smartphone use (nonPSU) group, and vmPFC activity was positively correlated with fatigue scores. In addition, there was also an increase in functional connectivity between the vmPFC and left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) in the PSU group. Correlations between task performance and activation in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and middle cingulate cortex (MCC) further indicated the engagement of compensatory mechanisms related to reward sensitivity and cognitive control. These results define specific neural markers of cognitive fatigue in people with PSU, indicating that increased activity and connectivity in key brain areas require greater cognitive resources to maintain functioning. Therefore, this highlights the need for targeted interventions to minimize cognitive fatigue and mitigate the neurocognitive impact of PSU.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in older adults is a growing public health concern, yet outcome research has primarily focused on moderate-to-severe injuries or aggregated severity groups. Small-volume intracranial lesions, subdural hematomas (SDH &#x2264; 8mm), epidural hematomas (EDH &#x2264; 8mm), and cerebral contusions (&#x2264; 2cm), are often classified as mild, but this may underestimate the functional burden in aging populations. Evidence is lacking on discharge outcomes in patients with isolated small-volume TBIs, particularly across age strata.Objective: To evaluate age-related differences in hospital discharge disposition, specifically to rehabilitation or hospice care, among adults aged &#x2265;40 years with isolated, small-volume blunt TBIs, stratified by TBI type and age group.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using American College of Surgeons-Trauma Quality Programs-Participant Use Files (ACS-TQIP-PUF) data (2017-2022). Adults &#x2265;40 years with isolated blunt TBIs, without skull fractures or polytrauma, were included. Lesion size was defined radiographically via abbreviated injury scale codes. Logistic regression models assessed associations between age group (middle-aged [40-64] vs. elderly [&#x2265;65]) and discharge disposition, adjusting for TBI subtype, comorbidities, injury severity, and facility factors.Results: Among 135,343 patients with isolated small-volume TBIs, elderly individuals were more likely to be discharged to rehabilitation (EDH: OR 1.601, 95% CI 1.234-2.076, P <0.001) and hospice care (SDH: OR 2.184, 95% CI 1.630-2.927, P <0.001) compared to middle-aged patients. These age-based differences persisted across TBI subtypes.Conclusion: Despite being classified as "mild" by volume, small TBIs are associated with significant discharge care needs among older adults. Elderly patients face markedly higher odds of requiring rehabilitation or end-of-life care. These findings challenge traditional severity frameworks and highlight the need for age-adapted discharge planning in the context of small-volume intracranial injuries.

Mamenchisauridae is a group of long-necked non-neosauropodan eusauropod dinosaurs that were abundant in East Asia during the Middle to Late Jurassic, but their diversity and geographic distribution outside China remain poorly documented. Here we describe Uragasaurus kalasinensis gen. et sp. nov., a new sauropod dinosaur from the Phu Kradung Formation of northeastern Thailand. The new taxon is based on a well-preserved anterior dorsal vertebra exhibiting a distinctive combination of characters, including a unique Y-shaped configuration formed by the intraprezygapophyseal and single intraprezygapophyseal laminae and a camellate internal pneumatic structure within the centrum revealed by computed tomography (CT). Phylogenetic analyses recover the new taxon as an early-diverging member of Mamenchisauridae. This discovery represents the first formally named mamenchisaurid from Thailand and expands the known geographic distribution of the clade in Southeast Asia. The occurrence of this taxon in the Lower part of the Phu Kradung Formation also contributes to understanding faunal succession within the unit, supports an Upper Jurassic age for the lower part of the formation, and improves understanding of sauropod diversity in Southeast Asia during the Jurassic-Cretaceous transition.

Extrafascial interscalene block has been proposed to reduce phrenic nerve involvement while maintaining analgesic efficacy for shoulder surgery. However, a reproducible continuous catheter technique using a clear anatomical landmark has not been well described. We describe a case series of six patients undergoing shoulder surgery who received a continuous extrafascial interscalene block using the C6 transverse process as a bony landmark. Under ultrasound guidance, an 18-gauge Tuohy needle was advanced in a cranial-to-caudal out-of-plane trajectory toward the posterior tubercle of C6, and a catheter was placed within the middle scalene muscle. Continuous levobupivacaine infusion was maintained for 24 hours as part of multimodal analgesia. This technique was associated with favorable postoperative analgesic profiles within a standardized multimodal regimen, without clinically apparent respiratory compromise. Given the absence of a control group, findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating. The C6 bony endpoint may improve reproducibility.

In low- and middle-income countries, postoperative care for basic surgeries, such as hernia repairs, soft tissue excisions, and low-acuity gynecologic surgeries often involves prolonged hospitalization due to concerns about potential postoperative complications at home. An ambulatory surgical center in rural Uganda developed Recovery@Home, a mobile health program enabling home-based recovery with nurse-led monitoring/interventions. Recovery@Home uses a mobile app and visiting nurses for postoperative assessment and intervention through structured phone calls on postoperative day (POD) 1, home visits on POD 3 and 7, and follow-up calls on POD 14 and 30. This cross-sectional study, conducted from January to May 2024, compared outcomes among full, partial, and non-completers of the program. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression assessed the association between program adherence and postoperative outcomes, including wound complications, readmissions, second surgeries, and visits to other facilities within 30 postoperative days. Among 234 patients, 54.3% (N&#x2009;=&#x2009;127) were hernia repair, 21.8% (N&#x2009;=&#x2009;51) were soft tissue/tumor excisions, 4.7% (N&#x2009;=&#x2009;11) were gynecologic surgeries, and 19.2% (N&#x2009;=&#x2009;45) were other low-acuity surgeries. A total of 166 (70.9%) fully completed the program, 50 (21.9%) partially completed it, and 18 (7.7%) did not participate. By POD30, 12.4% of patients experienced at least one complication, defined as a wound complication, readmission, second operation, or sought care elsewhere. Wound complications occurred in 9.0% and were defined as&#x2009;&#x2265;&#x2009;2 signs of inflammation requiring additional physician assessment. Full program completion was associated with lower odds of wound complications (OR 0.121, 95% CI [0.034, 0.422], p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) and overall complications compared to non-completers (OR 0.170, 95% CI [0.055, 0.524], p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.002). On POD3, patients with high psychosocial/environmental risk factors (poor medication adherence, social support, hygiene) had increased risk for complications. Among them, 35% received nurse-led education, which significantly reduced wound complications (OR 0.042, 95% CI [0.002, 0.843], p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.038). Recovery@Home demonstrates that a mobile health-driven approach can reduce risk of wound complications and overall complications in rural Uganda. Full program adherence and targeted early interventions are crucial for optimizing postoperative outcomes after ambulatory surgery.

The head and neck region is a host to a diverse and complex microbiome, comprising of very specific microbial communities across different anatomical niches such as the oral cavity, nasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx, salivary glands, and middle ear. The existence of these communities is determined by various factors such as physicochemical conditions, local environment and host genetics playing a critical role in maintaining mucosal integrity, immune modulation, colonization resistance, and thereby achieving metabolic homeostasis. As the human ages, the microbiome constantly evolves, influenced by diet, hormonal changes, and lifestyle even causing disruptions such as dysbiosis linked to diseases like head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This chapter attempts to explore the anatomical and ecological diversity, site-specific microbial compositions, functional roles, developmental trajectories, and the challenges in understanding these microbial communities. Even though there were significant advances in sequencing technologies helping in identifying the microbial protective and pathogenic potential, hurdles like sampling difficulties and low biomass contamination tend to complicate the research process. Therefore it is of utmost importance to understand the baseline microbiome thereby helping in laying a foundation for studying its role in HNSCC, creating a pathway for microbial diagnostics and curative therapies.

Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of brain-heart interaction (BHI) in regulating affective states. However, BHI alterations and their molecular underpinnings in first-episode drug-na&#xef;ve (FeDn) major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with suicidal ideation (SI) remain unclear. We collected synchronized electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) data from 81 MDD patients with SI (MDD-SI), 55 without SI (MDD-NSI), and 82 healthy controls (HCs). An integrative framework was developed to link a multilevel EEG-ECG derived BHI index with regional gene expression. Our study reveals that MDD-SI patients exhibit a significantly lower BHI index relative to individuals with MDD-NSI and HCs, after Bonferroni correction. Alterations were localized to the ventral insula, subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, middle frontal gyrus, dorsal posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, and rostrodorsal angular gyrus (rAG). Notably, the BHI index in the rAG was negatively correlated with depression severity (r&#x2009;=&#x2009;-0.173, corrected p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.039) and SI severity (r&#x2009;=&#x2009;-0.163, corrected p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.045). Spatial transcriptomic analysis revealed that SI-related gene expression was enriched in pathways involving metabolic regulation, synaptic function, and signal transduction. These findings demonstrate reduced BHI in MDD-SI, identify region-specific alterations, and uncover associated molecular signatures, providing insight into the clinical detection and neurobiological mechanisms of suicidal ideation in MDD.

Quantitative effective atomic number&#xa0;([Formula: see text]) inversion in energy-resolved X-ray projection imaging is affected by beam hardening and detector-response-induced spectral distortion. In this study, we propose a joint beam-hardening and detector-response correction framework for thickness-decoupled&#xa0;[Formula: see text] inversion. A folded-spectrum forward model was established by incorporating the polychromatic X-ray source spectrum, material-dependent attenuation, and the detector response matrix of the energy-resolved photon-counting detector. Based on this model, a response-corrected spectral database was constructed using Monte Carlo simulation. The spectral mass-attenuation linearisation method was then used to reduce the nonlinear attenuation behavior caused by beam hardening, followed by&#xa0;[Formula: see text] inversion through reliability-weighted least-squares spectral matching. Experimental validation was performed using standard low to middle [Formula: see text] materials with theoretical [Formula: see text] values ranging from 6.5 to 13.0 under four mass-thickness conditions [Formula: see text]&#xa0;=&#xa0;3.0-9.0 g/cm2. The results showed improved thickness stability and quantitative agreement within the calibrated material and thickness range. The method was further applied to carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer specimens containing aluminium foil and optical-fiber inclusions. The resulting&#xa0;[Formula: see text]&#xa0;maps provided material-dependent contrast beyond conventional grayscale attenuation, suggesting the potential of the proposed framework for qualitative or semi-quantitative material discrimination in composite non-destructive testing.

Visual attention is essential for processing not only visual objects and scenes but also written words and continuous text. Yet, its precise contribution to different levels of reading remains unclear. Using a meta-analytic approach across 140 fMRI experiments (n&#x202f;=&#x202f;1,541), we examined the interplay between bottom-up and top-down attention, word and text reading. Our results reveal a layered functional organization within the middle precentral gyrus: the superior part shows convergence between top-down attention and text reading, the inferior part links top-down attention with word reading, and the central area, which overlaps with area 55b, shows selective engagement in reading. In addition, the fusiform gyrus, including the VWFA, emerges as a region of spatial convergence between visual attention and word reading. These findings extend the neuronal recycling framework by showing that reading builds on visual and attentional circuits, while also revealing linguistic-related regions that are partly distinct from domain-general attentional systems.

The human ear is a complex biomechanical system that transduces sound or blast waves into cochlear hair cells for sensory perception. Understanding the full pathway of mechanical energy transmission, from the external ear through the middle ear and into the cochlear sensory structures, is essential for advancing clinical surgical treatment, hearing protection, and auditory prostheses. Over the past two decades, finite element (FE) modeling has become a powerful tool for analyzing ear mechanics, offering insights that complement experimental limitations. This chapter summarizes major developments in 3D FE models of the human ear, from macroscale simulations of sound and blast wave propagation to microscale modeling of cochlear biomechanical responses. The macroscale models based on anatomical details of the human ear with the coupled fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis are reviewed first. The evolution toward multiscale models that couple cochlear partition motion with detailed representations of the organ of Corti (OC) and hair cells is then described. The integration of macroscale and microscale models enables simulations of blast-induced cochlear trauma and acoustic fatigue failure. Together, these developments offer a comprehensive framework for understanding auditory biomechanics across different length scales. This chapter is organized into two parts: Part I focuses on macroscale modeling of sound and blast wave transmission; Part II discusses multiscale and microscale modeling with applications to cochlear damage prediction.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Breast Cancer Initiative aims to attain meaningful global breast cancer mortality reductions by 2040-a target that hinges on improvements in patient outcomes and survival. So far, however, data on cancer survival remain limited in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO estimated population-based age-standardized 5-year net survival for women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2017 and 2021 across all 194 Member States, providing a global benchmark for monitoring breast cancer outcomes. Here we found that median 5-year net survival varied widely across WHO regions during 2017-2021: 39.1% (95% uncertainty interval 34.1-44.7%) in the African Region, 61.0% (51.4-69.8%) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 66.3% (57.7-73.7%) in the South-East Asia Region, 81.1% (78.6-83.5%) in the Western Pacific Region, 84.0% (82.8-85.1%) in the European Region and 88.5% (86.7-90.1%) in the Region of the Americas. Persisting disparities in survival reflect profound global inequities; sustained initiatives to narrow gaps in access to diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer are crucial to strengthening health systems. This will enable all countries to ensure optimal outcomes for their patients with breast cancer and achieve Global Breast Cancer Initiative and Sustainable Development Goals targets.

Low-cost sensors (LCS) are increasingly used to enhance air quality monitoring by enabling dense measurement networks; however, their performance across particle size ranges and under realistic indoor-emission conditions remains uncertain, particularly in low-and middle-income settings. This study evaluated the size-resolved performance of two widely used LCS (Plantower-PMS7003 and Sensirion-SPS30) in contrasting low- and high-PM indoor environments representative of real-world conditions in India. The study's low-PM environment exhibited 24-hour averaged concentrations of 37&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;6.2&#xa0;&#xb5;g/m3 for PM2.5 and 39&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;6.7&#xa0;&#xb5;g/m3 for PM10. The corresponding concentrations were 67&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;15.9&#xa0;&#xb5;g/m3 and 119&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;43.6&#xa0;&#xb5;g/m3, respectively, in a high-PM environment. Triplicate-LCS were collocated with a reference optical particle counter (Grimm-1.109). Analyses were done for particle number concentrations (PNC) across size bins (0.3-10.0&#xa0;&#x3bc;m) and PM-mass fractions (PM1, PM2.5, PM10, intermediate fractions). Intra-sensor correlation remained high, whereas in high-PM conditions inter-sensor correlation declined but improved with hourly-averaging. Coefficient of Variation was <&#x2009;30% for PM-mass and smaller PNC-bins (&#x2264;&#x2009;1.0-2.5&#xa0;&#x3bc;m), while&#x2009;>&#x2009;43% for larger-bins, indicating poor reproducibility. Accuracy metrics were highest for PM1 (R2&#x2009;~&#x2009;0.90-0.95) and decreased with increasing particle-size (PM10-R2&#x2009;~&#x2009;0.28-0.68). Strong PNC-correlations were observed for 0.3-0.5&#xa0;&#x3bc;m particles and 0.5-1.0&#xa0;&#x3bc;m (R2&#x2009;~&#x2009;0.72) but decreased substantially for >&#x2009;1.0&#xa0;&#x3bc;m particles (R2&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.36). The evaluated sensors did not capture the dominant contribution of particles&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.30&#xa0;&#x3bc;m under either low- or high-PM conditions. These findings demonstrate that LCS effectively capture fine particles but shows limitations for coarse-intermediate fractions, constraining size-resolved assessments and cumulative-PM estimates based on proprietary conversions. This study provides insights to improve LCS deployment in monitoring networks and supports high-resolution exposure-assessment in resource-constrained environments.

Triglyceride glucose frailty index (TyG-FI) has been proposed as a novel biomarker for insulin resistance and physiological decline. However, the association between TyG-FI and the risk of cancer, particularly regarding sex difference, remains unclear. A total of 7914 middle-aged and elderly participants were enrolled from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The Cox proportional hazard models and restricted cubic spline analysis were applied to explore the association between TyG-FI and the risk of cancer. During a median follow-up of 9 years, 244 (104 events in men, 140 events in women) participants had occurred cancer. Our findings revealed a significant positive linear association between TyG-FI and the occurrence of cancer. Cox regression analysis revealed that elevated TyG-FI levels were associated with higher cancer risk (HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.39). The association was still significant in women (HR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.66), but not in men (HR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.65, 1.15). Our findings revealed that elevated TyG-FI levels were associated with higher cancer risk. TyG-FI was an independent prognostic predictor for the risk of cancer in women, but not in men.

This scoping review analyzed research trends and the effectiveness of sexual media literacy educational interventions for adolescents and provided foundational evidence for developing effective programs. Guided by Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework, ten databases were systematically searched for studies published between 2015 and 2025. Studies involving adolescents and individuals who educate or mediate adolescents' media use were included. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, yielding a final sample of 11 studies. The included studies predominantly targeted middle school students, and the theory of planned behavior was the most commonly applied theoretical framework. Most programs (81.8%) emphasized strengthening adolescents' ability to interpret sexual content in media. Program duration ranged from 1 to 10 sessions, with total instructional time ranging from 90 minutes to 18 hours. Reported outcomes included improvements in sexual media literacy (72.7%), knowledge (36.4%), attitude (54.5%), behavior (45.5%), belief (18.2%), and interpersonal process (36.4%). The main teaching methods were lecture-based delivery (63.6%), offline interactive activities (63.6%), and web-based programs (36.4%). Overall, the programs improved adolescents' sexual media literacy, sexual health outcomes, and sexual health-related communication skills. This review provides evidence that sexual media literacy programs can improve adolescents' media interpretation skills and sexual health-related outcomes. Integrating learner-centered approaches with media-based instruction may be particularly useful and has meaningful implications for developing tailored sexual media literacy programs for adolescents.

Schools support families not only through education but also by facilitating daily routines, childcare, and social supports. Disruptions to schooling may therefore have broader effects on family well-being, including parental mental health. We study how school closures affected parental initiation of antidepressant use, as a proxy for mental healthcare needs, using national commercial claims data and a difference-in-differences design that exploits geographic variation in physical school access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though antidepressant use declined during the pandemic overall, we find that in zip codes with a high level of school closures, the decline in antidepressant use was approximately 3.8% smaller for both mothers and fathers relative to zip codes that remained largely open during the early months of the pandemic. These effects persisted through 2021, even after in-person instruction resumed. Mothers across most racial groups are affected by specific school-level closures (elementary, middle, and high), while for fathers, there are only small detectable increases with respect to elementary schools. These findings highlight the role of schools in buffering household stress and supporting mental health, and contribute to a broader economics literature that leverages the pandemic as a natural experiment to better understand how institutional disruptions impact health outcomes.