How social isolation and loneliness leave distinct imprints on memory: a thematic analysis informed by descriptive phenomenology.

With growing recognition of psychosocial risks for cognitive impairment, research on social isolation (SI) and loneliness (LON) and their relationship to memory has increased over the past decade. However, most studies have examined SI and LON separately, leaving their combined influence on memory underexplored, particularly in qualitative research. This study presents the qualitative arm of a larger mixed-methods investigation, exploring how SI and LON, separately and together, shape memory in middle-aged and older adults.

Pavement condition and climatic data in southeast Texas: A dataset for evaluating flood impacts on pavement performance.

Effective pavement maintenance is essential for economic stability, optimal network performance, and roadway safety. Achieving this requires thorough evaluation of pavement conditions, including structural integrity, surface roughness, and distress characteristics. Pavement performance indicators play a critical role in influencing vehicle safety and ride quality.

The Use of Real-World Data for Studies of Dynamic Disease Processes.

Obtaining valid real-world evidence about intervention effects from observational cohorts or administrative health records data is challenging. Visits to healthcare providers tend to occur more often during periods of increased disease activity and symptom exacerbation, or upon disease progression. Treatments likewise tend to change when it is apparent that disease activity has increased or a meaningful progression has occurred.

Combustion Waves and Flame Stability in Nanocomposites.

Combustion in nanocomposites involves intricate coupling between chemical reactions and transport phenomena across multiple scales and phases, complicating the development of unified theories. In this study, we present a theoretical and experimental framework that can serve as the foundation for a unified theory of combustion wave dynamics and instabilities in nanocomposites. Using high-speed microscopic imaging, the flame morphology and combustion wave behavior are characterized across a range of reactivity levels.

Surfactants, cellulose nanocrystals, and chitosan: Their contributions to pesticide delivery systems.

Improving pesticide utilization efficiency is vital for environmental sustainability, economic growth, and the protection of human and animal health, particularly in water-based formulations. Numerous studies have shown that surfactants can enhance pesticide encapsulation and improve deposition efficiency on plant surfaces. This review examines the roles of surfactants in pesticide formulations from the perspective of their structural classifications, including conventional, gemini, trimeric, and polymeric surfactants, with a particular focus on how molecular structure influences the droplet behavior and delivery performance.

Thermal drying synthesized density-tunable and high stability nonthiolated spherical nucleic acids for split aptamer and lateral flow biosensors.

Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) have attracted considerable interest in designing biosensors. Our group recently developed a thermal drying method to fabricate SNAs with an ultrahigh density of cost-effective nonthiolated DNA containing a polyadenine block. In this study, functional properties of such SNAs in two types of biosensors were investigated using aptamer and hybridization-based model detection systems.

Green Fluorescent Protein SELEX: Immobilization Chemistry and His-Tag Epitope Bias.

Despite numerous DNA aptamers for proteins having been reported, a model system allowing the use of cost-effective proteins, unmodified DNA, and convenient homogeneous assays is still lacking, which has in turn limited not only fundamental studies of aptamers but also their translation to practical applications. Herein, three separate green fluorescent protein (GFP) selections were carried out using both non-tagged and His-tagged GFP immobilized on either NHS-activated resin or Co affinity resin. Only the GFP/NHS system resulted in aptamers that consistently bind to unmodified GFP, whereas the His-tagged GFP yielded aptamers biased toward the His-tag epitope.

Optimization of the monoclonal antibody 3E1 through W32I mutation enhances antiviral efficacy against influenza virus subtypes H1N1 and H3N2.

The influenza virus has caused a global pandemic with significant morbidity and mortality, underscoring the need to optimize antibodies for improved antiviral efficacy. The monoclonal antibody 3E1 effectively neutralizes Group 1 influenza subtypes, H1 and H5, by inhibiting acid-induced conformational changes of hemagglutinin (HA). However, its neutralizing activity is relatively weak against the Group 2 subtype, H3.

Attending to attention: Reverse correlation reveals subtle cues to attentiveness in others' faces.

Some of the most foundational properties we can perceive from others' faces involve cognitive states, such as how attentive (vs. distracted) they seem - an important ability, since the likelihood of someone in our local environment affecting our fitness is enhanced when they are attentive. But how can we tell whether another person is attentive? This study reveals that the way in which we perceive attentiveness in others' faces is straightforward in some ways, but deeply counterintuitive in others.

Pathways towards a circular economy for thermoset nanocomposites.

The growing adoption of thermoset nanocomposites across industries has raised concerns about their environmental impact and end-of-life management. These advanced materials, which combine nanoscale fillers with permanently crosslinked matrices, pose unique recycling challenges due to their inherent durability and resistance to conventional mechanical recycling methods. This perspective examines prospective approaches for achieving circularity in thermoset nanocomposites, focusing on two main strategies: reprocessing and nanofiller recovery.

Substrate Topography Modulate Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Phenotype in Proinflammatory Condition.

The clinical efficacy of "off the shelf" synthetic small-diameter vascular grafts (sSDVG) remains limited due to rapid occlusion from thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia (IH), driven by dysregulated vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) behavior after vascular injury. While luminal topography has been used to improve endothelialization, understanding the VSMC responses to topographies under proinflammatory conditions such as platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) exposure is critical for improving sSDVG patency. We hypothesized topographies could modulate VSMC behavior, even with PDGF-BB stimulation, and that the responses would vary by feature size and shape.

Iron dysregulation in mice engineered with a mutation associated with stuttering.

Stuttering is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by involuntary disruptions in the normal fluency and timing of speech. Recently, stuttering has been related to specific point mutations in , a gene involved in lysosomal enzyme-targeting pathways, though it remains unclear how such a mutation might cause the stuttering phenotype. Herein, we studied mice engineered with the mutation in the gene found in humans who stutter and found increased iron deposition in the basal ganglia of these mice.

Abacavir enhances the efficacy of doxorubicin via inhibition of histone demethylase KDM5B in breast cancer.

KDM5B, a lysine-specific histone demethylase, is widely upregulated in breast cancer. The current study investigated the role of KDM5B in breast cancer and explored the repurposing potential of the antiviral drug abacavir (ABC). The cytotoxic effects and the effect of ABC sensitization on doxorubicin (DOX) efficacy were evaluated using 2-D and 3-D cell culture models.

Characteristics of adolescent cannabis use and social context predicting problematic use: A decision tree analysis.

Identifying characteristics of adolescent cannabis use and the surrounding social context that may predict problematic use is important for delivering harm-reduction approaches in both clinical and public health settings. We used a decision tree analysis to identify combinations of various use characteristics (e.g.

Internal Dynamics of Pyrene-Labeled Polyols Studied Through the Lens of Pyrene Excimer Formation.

Series of pyrene-labeled diols (Py-DOs) and polyols (Py-POs) were synthesized by coupling a number () of 1-pyrenebutyric acids to diols and polyols to yield series of end-labeled linear ( = 2) and branched ( > 2) oligomers, respectively. Pyrene excimer formation (PEF) between an excited and a ground-state pyrene was studied for the Py-DO and Py-PO samples by analyzing their fluorescence spectra and decays in tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ,-dimethylformamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. Global model-free analysis (MFA) of the pyrene monomer and excimer fluorescence decays yielded the average rate constant (<>) for PEF.

Exposure to cannabis marketing in the United States and differences by cannabis laws: Findings from the International Cannabis Policy Study.

Background: A growing number of US states have legalized adult "recreational" cannabis; however, there is little evidence on the impact of cannabis policies on cannabis marketing exposure to date. The current study examined marketing exposure in the US, including differences between states where cannabis is illegal ('illegal' states), legal for medical use ('medical'), and legal for recreational use ('recreational').

Methods: Data are from the US component of the International Cannabis Policy Study: national repeat cross-sectional data from surveys conducted with 187,573 respondents aged 16-65 over 6 annual survey waves (2018-2023).

Disparities in children's sports participation and food advertising exposure in amateur sports settings in Canada.

This study examined social disparities in sports team participation and self-reported exposure to food advertising in amateur sports settings in Canada and examined differences in exposure between Quebec (where commercial advertising directed to children under 13 years, including sponsorship, is restricted) and other provinces (where there are no restrictions). Children aged 10-17 years (n = 3672) completed a cross-sectional online survey in 2019 and answered questions on sports team participation and exposure to food advertising on signs at their sporting events and on their sports equipment. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to examine differences among socio-demographic subgroups and policy environments.

An Electron Transfer Regulation Strategy to Enhance the Catalytic Activity of Perovskite Fluorescent Nanozyme by Incorporation of Fe Metal-organic Framework for Biomimetic Cascade Catalysis.

Fluorescent nanozymes allow the use of both fluorescence and catalytic functions for theragnostic and bioanalytical applications. However, few fluorescent nanozymes with both high fluorescence yield and high catalytic activities are available. CsPbX perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) have strong fluorescence but very weak catalytic activities.

One fell swoop strategy to detect and degrade malathion by an ALP-sensitive and Pt-Co-N-C nanozyme-enhanced chemiluminescent 3D μPAD.

Malathion, a prevalent organophosphorus pesticide (OP), represents a significant hazard to human health and the environment. In this research, we utilized an alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-sensitive method for the simultaneous detection and partial degradation of malathion. Malathion inhibits ALP activity, reducing the reaction signal it catalyzes, which allows for its detection.

Three Candidates, Two Peaks: Addressing Conflicting Assignments of Fentanyl Protomers with DMS-UVPD.

Fentanyl and its analogs, many of which share the piperidine-4-carboxamide core, consistently exhibit two distinct peaks when detected as the protonated ion on the various low-field IMS platforms (one major, one minor). These peaks, widely presumed to arise from prototropic isomers (i.e.

Nanochitin as a Strength-Enhancing Agent for Paper-Based Packaging Material.

Paper-based packaging materials are a promising solution for the circular economy, but their performance needs significant improvement for broader applications, replacing conventional plastics. This study explores the potential of nanocrystalline chitin as a nanoadditive to enhance the mechanical properties of paper pulp for advanced paper-based packaging solutions. Through systematic morphological, thermal, and spectroscopic characterization, we established a comprehensive interaction mechanism in which initial electrostatic attractions between oppositely charged components facilitate the formation of dynamic, twinkling hydrogen bonds between chitin nanoparticles and paper fibers in the aqueous environment, subsequently evolving into stable hydrogen bonding networks.

Evaluating a 52-week fresh food prescribing program in Ontario, Canada: A mixed-methods study on food insecurity, fruit and vegetable intake, and health.

Background: Food insecurity is linked with suboptimal diet and comprises an important risk factor for nutrition-related chronic diseases. Fresh food prescription programs are designed to improve access to healthy foods, but there is limited evidence on the impacts of such programs in the Canadian context. The objective of this mixed methods study was to assess changes in food security, fruit and vegetable intake, and health among adult participants of a fresh food prescribing program in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Case study on force compliant robot arm controller for nasopharyngeal swab insertion.

The nasopharyngeal (NP) swab sample test, commonly used to detect COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, involves moving a swab through the nasal cavity to collect samples from the nasopharynx. While typically this is done by human healthcare workers, there is a significant societal interest to enable robots to do this test to reduce exposure to patients and to free up human resources. The task is challenging from the robotics perspective because of the dexterity and safety requirements.

Can kids identify unprocessed fruit as healthier than an ultra-processed sugar-sweetened beverage? Functional versus self-reported nutrition knowledge and dietary intake among youth from six countries: findings from the International Food Policy Study.

Background: Consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with a range of poor dietary and health outcomes. Although lower nutrition knowledge is associated with higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, few studies have directly compared nutrition knowledge among youth from countries with different food environments and nutrition policies. This study examined whether youth could identify differences in nutritional quality between a commonly consumed ultra-processed and unprocessed food.

Attention in our digital ecosystem: The five interactive components that drive media multitasking.

Advances in the portability of digital media devices and the sophistication of digital media platforms have dramatically changed how we engage with media content and the degree to which we media multitask in everyday life. While a large body of research on dual-tasking has laid the foundation for our understanding of media multitasking, research has only begun to explore the voluntary and dynamic factors that account for how we simultaneously engage with media-based sources. Here, we consider recent studies assessing non-required instances of media multitasking and propose that this behaviour can be best understood through an interactive model that operates along a core temporal dimension, varying from stable to transient, and contains cognitive architectural, dispositional, metacognitive, task-valuation, and environmental components that drive media multitasking behaviours.