"I often wonder if it was all worth it" - Exploring the experiences of financial hardship for Australian midwifery students.

Actions to control the fear of falling in older people: An umbrella review.

Background: Inflammation is a complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli such as pathogens, damaged cells or irritants and plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases including arthritis, cardiovascular disorders and cancer. Despite the availability of synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs, their long-term use is often associated with adverse effects, necessitating the search for safer and more effective alternatives. Anti-inflammation refers to mechanisms that suppress or regulate inflammation to protect tissues from damage. It includes natural body controls, anti-inflammatory cytokines, Lipoxygenase and therapeutic agents like NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and antioxidants. Effective anti-inflammatory action restores balance, promotes healing, and prevents progression of chronic illnesses. This thesis investigates the anti-inflammatory potential of selected natural and synthetic compounds through In-vitro model. The present study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of leaves of Putranjiva roxburghii wall. Methodology: The anti-inflammatory activity of the test samples was evaluated using egg albumin denaturation inhibition assay and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition assay. In the egg albumin assay, varying concentrations (50 μg/ml,100 μg/ml,200 μg/ml,400 μg/ml,800 μg/ml) of the test sample were incubated with egg albumin solution at pH 7.4 and 37 °C for 30 minutes. Protein denaturation was induced by heating the mixture at 70 °C for 15 minutes. After cooling, absorbance was measured at 280 nm, and the percentage inhibition of protein denaturation was calculated using diclofenac sodium as the reference. For the lipoxygenase inhibition assay, lipoxygenase was used to catalyze the oxidation of linoleic acid in the presence of the test compounds. The reaction mixture was incubated at 25°C for 5 minutes, and the formation of conjugated dienes was monitored by measuring absorbance at 234 nm. The percentage inhibition of LOX activity was calculated and compared with a standard anti-inflammatory agent. Result:It is anticipated that the ethanolic leaf extract of Putranjiva roxburghii wall. will exhibit significant in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity, with considerable inhibition of albumin denaturation and lipoxygenase enzyme activity, demonstrating its potential as a natural anti- inflammatory agent. Conclusion: Putranjiva roxburghii Wall. leaf extract showed positive anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting egg albumin denaturation and lipoxygenase, confirming its potential as a natural anti-inflammatory agent.

Effective pesticide action is crucial for optimizing efficacy and minimizing environmental impact, particularly with the increasing reliance on systemic pesticides. Adjuvants, including surfactants are commonly used to enhance penetration, but their performance depends on the physicochemical properties of both the pesticide and the surfactants used in the formulations. This study examines how surfactant hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values and commercial adjuvants affect pesticide penetration through plant cuticles. We first assessed the penetration of two fluorescent pesticide mimics, Rhodamine B (hydrophilic) and Nile Red (lipophilic), into spring onion leaves using confocal laser scanning microscopy. On this highly waxy leaf, high HLB surfactants significantly enhanced the penetration of Rhodamine B, while low HLB surfactants promoted Nile Red penetration. Surfactants with intermediate HLB values had minimal effect on either compound. Among seven commercial adjuvants tested, only Squall and Prolong significantly improved the penetration of both pesticide mimics. To evaluate the role of leaf surface properties, we extended adjuvant experiments to sugarbeet and potato leaves, which have higher surface polarity and roughness. On these leaves, both fluorescent pesticide mimic penetrations (in the absence of any additive) were higher, and multiple adjuvants presented enhanced penetration, in contrast to their limited performance on green onion. Surfactant polarity plays a key role in overcoming cuticular resistance on waxy, low-polarity leaves like green onion. On more permeable leaves, adjuvant performance is governed by surface characteristics. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring adjuvant selection to both pesticide polarity and crop-specific leaf properties. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

This study examines the dynamics of collective community participation in Sade Village, one of the recognized tourism villages in Central Lombok. Despite its long-standing status as a tourist destination, Sade’s progress toward achieving Desa Mandiri remains hindered by limited collective involvement. This condition raises questions about the community’s role in advancing sustainable tourism. To explore this issue, the research investigates residents’ perceptions of tourism as a shared good, the motivations that drive participation, and the barriers that restrict effective collective action. A qualitative case study was conducted through in-depth interviews and participatory observations with residents and key stakeholders during a three-day field visit in June 2025. The data were analyzed thematically using the Miles and Huberman framework, with credibility strengthened through triangulation, expert review, and inter-coder reliability checks. The findings reveal that while residents recognize tourism as beneficial for the community, their participation remains limited. Material incentives, particularly financial benefits that support daily needs, serve as the strongest motivators, complemented by solidary incentives expressed in communal bonds and cultural preservation. However, these drivers seldom translate into coordinated action due to a passive participation mindset, limited awareness of innovation, and the absence of formal organizational structures. The study concludes that low participation in Sade Village reflects cultural and structural constraints rather than disinterest, enriching CAT’s propositions on institutional emergence and free-rider dynamics. It recommends demonstration-based approaches, selective financial incentives, and formal tourism institutions, linked to national programs such as ADWI, to foster sustainable, community-led development in other villages.

Itaúba (Mezilaurus itauba (Meisn.) Taub. ex Mez) is an Amazonian forest tree whose high-quality timber has driven sustained commercial exploitation, leading to its classification as threatened with extinction. This systematic scoping review synthesizes the current scientific knowledge on M. itauba. A systematic search of the Web of Science, Scopus, and SciELO databases retrieved studies published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Sixty-eight articles were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Publications were concentrated between 2012 and 2025, largely derived from research conducted in Brazil and disseminated mainly through national journals. Overall, the literature is dominated by studies on wood technological properties, whereas research on the ecology and silviculture of M. itauba remains limited and often methodologically insufficient to support effective conservation actions. Based on the synthesis of identified knowledge gaps, we highlight as research priorities (i) the generation of empirical data on field performance across developmental stages, from nursery based seedling production to establishment and growth under open field and managed forest conditions; (ii) advancement of knowledge on genetic attributes, including structure and adaptive potential, to support conservation strategies and the selection of planting material; and (iii) integration of ecological interactions, ecophysiological responses, and regeneration processes into applied management frameworks capable of informing evidence based public policies. Addressing these priorities is essential to support conservation planning and the sustainable management of M. itauba.

In this study, marine litter (ML) according to foreign origin was investigated on the coasts of the Canakkale Strait and Bozcaada Island (Northern Aegean Sea), where there is an extreme amount ship traffic in both regions, as they are important transition and pre-transition zones. As a result of this study, which was carried out daily at two stations between January and March 2021, a total of 28 pieces of foreign origin marine litter were identified as belonging to 10 countries by reading their barcodes. While the proportional distributions of ML density based on countries were found to be 8.00% for each of Switzerland, Mexico, Philippines, and Italy, 7.00% for each of Belgium and Tanzania at the station of Meteoroloji (Çanakkale Strait), they were found to be 33.0% for Greece, 13.0% for each Switzerland and Russia, 7.00% for each of Germany, Hungary and Tanzania at the station of Ayazma (Bozcaada Island). In particular, the fact that a large majority (33.0%) of the ML of foreign origin at the station located in the North Aegean Sea originates from Greece revealed that this ML may be originated from ship traffic, but also mostly originate from water current systems.While plastic was the most common ML in view of material type, the most common ML was mixed packaging wastes in view of usage area in both stations. It is needed to make and implement effective action plans as a solution to ML. It is recommended to include new actions in ML action plans in force regarding ML which is thought to originate from ships because ships crossing cause marine pollution.

Introduction Urinary catheterization frequently causes urinary tract infections and patient discomfort. While hydrogel coatings combining antibacterial and hydrophilic properties offer a potential solution, challenges such as uncontrolled antimicrobial release and poor coating adhesion limit their clinical utility. This study aimed to develop a novel dual-function hydrogel coating with controlled antibacterial activity and sustained lubrication for infection-resistant urinary catheters. Methods A bilayer PL@SAMT/Mg coating consisting of an inner polydopamine layer loaded with the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 and an outer pH-responsive MgO@AAm/SA/TA hydrogel was fabricated via surface modification and UV crosslinking. The coating was applied to catheters via surface modification followed by UV-induced crosslinking. It was characterized using SEM, EDS, FTIR, rheometry, and friction tests. Its antibacterial efficacy was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli at different pH levels. Cytocompatibility was assessed using CCK-8, live/dead staining, and ELISA assays with L929, SV-HUC-1, and RAW264.7 cells. In vivo biocompatibility and antibacterial performance were investigated using a rat subcutaneous implantation model. Results The PL@SAMT/Mg coating exhibited a uniform, adherent bilayer structure with stable mechanical properties. It delivered excellent hydration lubrication and demonstrated pH-responsive swelling behavior. The release of LL-37 was sustained, while MgO release was significantly accelerated under alkaline conditions mimicking infection. The coating showed strong, pH-enhanced antibacterial activity against both S. aureus and E. coli. In vitro assays confirmed excellent cytocompatibility, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-adhesion properties. In vivo, the coating minimized inflammation and significantly reduced bacterial colonization compared to uncoated catheters. Discussion The PL@SAMT/Mg coating successfully integrates intelligent antibacterial function with sustained lubrication. The PDA layer enables long-term preventive release of AMPs, while the pH-responsive hydrogel layer provides on-demand MgO release during infection. This synergistic, controlled-release strategy mitigates biotoxicity and resistance risks. The coating addresses key limitations of existing technologies through robust adhesion, effective antibacterial action, and biocompatibility, offering a promising approach to improve catheter performance and patient comfort.

This bibliometric analysis explores stakeholder engagement in climate action decision-making from 2014 to 2024, addressing gaps in understanding its complex, cross-sectoral role. Utilizing a rigorous PRISMA framework, 842 journal articles were systematically reviewed and analyzed with Biblioshiny and VOSviewer. The study aimed to map the intellectual landscape, identify major contributors, with attention to geographic (Global North/South) and inferred racial disparities, prevalent research areas, and distinct engagement typologies. Findings reveal rapid growth in scholarly interest, especially from 2020-2024, underscoring the imperative for inclusive climate solutions. Key themes highlight a human-centric policy focus, acknowledging human actions' influence on climate trajectories, and the critical role of interdisciplinary stakeholder engagement. Engagement typologies fact-finding, collaborative learning, and informed dissemination are crucial for building relationships and effective communication. A significant challenge is the Global North's research dominance and a marginalization of Global South contributions. This imbalance creates context-specific information gaps, risks imposing "Northern" perspectives, and impedes climate justice and equitable global decision-making. The study also notes knowledge and theory-practice gaps hindering effective climate action implementation. To bridge the climate action gap, this paper advocates for equitable, inclusive engagement and innovative solutions. Future research should prioritize amplifying Global South voices for balanced understanding, deepen analysis of institutional logics influencing stakeholder prioritization, and develop robust engagement frameworks addressing implementation gaps and best practice consensus.

Sexual offenses are among the most strongly condemned prohibited acts, and those whose victims are minors evoke particularly strong social outrage. Such crimes violate fundamental human rights, such as freedom and dignity, and cause serious physical and emotional consequences for the victims. Pedophilia is a psychosexual disorder classified as a paraphilia, characterized by persistent and intense sexual preferences toward children who have not yet reached puberty. From the perspective of psychology and law, pedophilia poses a serious threat to the safety and well-being of children; therefore, taking effective therapeutic and rehabilitative actions toward individuals with such tendencies is crucial. This article presents the case of a homosexual pedophile who underwent a comprehensive therapeutic and rehabilitative process in a closed institution. The process included cognitive-behavioral therapy, interventions aimed at changing cognitive schemas, and impulse control techniques. After completing therapy at the residential center, the patient continues outpatient treatment, which is an essential element of prevention and monitoring of risky behaviors. The case study allows for an analysis of the effectiveness of the applied therapeutic methods, their impact on controlling deviant behaviors, and potential challenges related to social reintegration of individuals after therapy. The article also discusses legal and ethical aspects of therapy and the dilemmas associated with the rehabilitation of perpetrators of sexual offenses against minors.

Assessing the vulnerability of species to climate change is currently one of the hot issues in ecology and conservation biology. Although species sensitivity and adaptability play a crucial role in determining species vulnerability to climate change, most studies have only focused on habitat exposure, hindering a comprehensive understanding of species vulnerability to climate change and the implementation of effective conservation actions and policies. Here, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of the species sensitivity, habitat exposure and vulnerability of 122 Chinese Theaceae species and the spatial distribution patterns of their sensitivity, habitat exposure and vulnerability, as well as the effectiveness of China's protected area network in protecting these species under future climate change. Our analyses suggest that species vulnerability was mainly determined by species sensitivity rather than habitat exposure. In addition, these species generally exhibit a high sensitivity and vulnerability to temperature-related variables, such as the annual mean temperature and temperature annual range, while exhibiting a high exposure to precipitation variables, such as total annual precipitation and precipitation seasonality. Furthermore, our analyses show that the high-vulnerability areas are mainly distributed in western and eastern China. However, no more than 17% of the high-vulnerability areas would be covered by China's protected area network and no more than 15% of the median- and low-vulnerability areas would be covered by China's protected area network. These findings can contribute to a new understanding of the vulnerability of the 122 Chinese Theaceae species to future climate change and guide effective conservation prioritizing in a rapidly changing climate.

In this study, we report a series of cationic, mitochondria-targeted cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes (Ir1-Ir5) engineered for dual chemo- and phototherapeutic applications. Structural modifications of the bipyridyl ancillary ligands with bioactive substituents were systematically examined to evaluate their impact on anticancer activity. Confocal microscopy revealed selective mitochondrial accumulation of all complexes in cancer cells. The complexes exhibited potent chemotherapeutic effects against multiple 2D monolayer cancer cell lines, including lung (A549), breast (MCF7), ovarian (A2780), and cisplatin-resistant ovarian (A2780cisR) cancers, with IC50 values ranging from 1.0 to 4.84 μM. Upon visible-light activation, they demonstrated pronounced phototherapeutic efficacy, achieving nanomolar IC50 values (40-380 nM) and phototoxicity indices (PI) of approximately 7-69. Among them, Ir4 showed the highest mitochondrial localization and the strongest phototoxic profile. Mechanistic investigations indicated that Ir4 triggers multimodal cell death via mitochondrial membrane potential disruption, ROS generation, NADH oxidation, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis and also suppresses cancer cell migration, suggesting antimetastatic potential. Furthermore, Ir4 displayed robust light-induced phototherapeutic activity in dense 3D multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs), with an IC50 of 0.9 μM, demonstrating effective penetration and therapeutic action in tumor-like environments. Overall, these findings highlight mitochondria-targeted iridium(III) complexes as promising agents for integrated chemo-photodynamic cancer therapy.

The global decline in biodiversity, mainly caused by human activities such as land use change, agricultural intensification, habitat degradation, and climate change, is impacting many species, including raptors. The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), a threatened colonial raptor strongly associated with traditional agricultural landscapes, has experienced marked distributional and demographic changes across Spain. Understanding the environmental and anthropogenic factors shaping its occurrence is essential for guiding effective conservation actions. In this study, we combined national-scale presence data with local breeding information to identify the main drivers influencing the species’ spatial patterns and potential causes of local population change. Nationally, the lesser kestrel showed positive associations with prey availability, grasslands, and non-irrigated croplands, while urban areas, water bodies, and higher altitudes negatively affected its occurrence. Climatic variables, particularly precipitation during the warmest quarter and temperature seasonality, were also significant predictors. At the local scale (Córdoba province), colony abundance increased in non-irrigated agricultural areas and certain human-modified habitats, but declined in woodlands, open natural areas, and landscapes characterised by larger patch sizes. Overall, our findings highlight the relevance of preserving heterogeneous, traditional agricultural mosaics and maintaining prey-rich open habitats. By integrating national and local perspectives, this study identifies priority areas for conservation and provides actionable insights to support efforts aimed at halting the decline of the lesser kestrel in Spain.

We develop a unified framework for open quantum systems composed of many mutually interacting quantum spins, or any isomorphic systems like qubits and qudits, surrounded by one or more independent bosonic baths. Our framework, based on Schwinger-Keldysh field theory (SKFT), can handle arbitrary spin valueS, dimensionality of space, and geometry, while being applicable to a large parameter space for system and bath. It can probe regimes in whichnon-Markovian dynamicsand nonperturbative effects pose formidable challenges for other state-of-the-art theoretical methods. This is achieved by working with the two-particle irreducible (2PI) effective action, which resums classes of Feynman diagrams of SKFT to an infinite order. Furthermore, such diagrams are generated via an expansion in1/N, whereNis the number of Schwinger bosons we employ to map spin operators onto canonically commuting ones, rather than via conventional expansion in system-bath coupling constant. We carefully benchmark our SKFT+2PI-computed results vs. numerically (quasi)exact ones from tensor network calculations applied to the archetypical spin-boson model where both methodologies are applicable. Additionally, we demonstrate the capability of SKFT+2PI to handle a much more complex spin-chain-boson model with multiple baths interacting with each spin where no benchmark from other methods is available at present. The favorable numerical cost of solving integro-differential equations produced by the SKFT+2PI framework with an increasing number of spins and time steps makes it a promising route for simulating driven-dissipative systems in quantum computing, quantum magnonics, and quantum spintronics.

This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and biological activities of Ferulago platycarpa methanol extract (ME) and essential oil (EO). The EO was obtained via hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS, revealing sesquiterpene hydrocarbons as the dominant class, with caryophyllene (65.8%) and α-pinene (9.65%) as the major constituents. The methanol extract was subjected to LC-MS/MS analysis, which identified eleven phenolic compounds, with chlorogenic acid as the most abundant. The extract showed significantly higher total phenolic (1196.22±11.64 mg GAE/100g) and antioxidant (1870.00±17.69 mg QEE/100g) contents compared to the ME. In vitro enzyme inhibition assays demonstrated that the methanol extract exhibited potent inhibitory activity against carbonic anhydrase II (CA-II, IC₅₀=0.023 µg/mL), acetylcholinesterase (AChE, IC₅₀=110 µg/mL), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, IC₅₀=390 µg/mL). In contrast, the EO showed higher inhibition against α-amylase (IC₅₀=5920±10.45 µg/mL) and BChE (IC₅₀=1.32±0.65 µg/mL), while its α-glucosidase showed no inhibition. Antioxidant assays indicated superior activity for the methanol extract compared to the EO. Furthermore, antimicrobial testing revealed that the EO demonstrated broader and more effective antimicrobial action, exhibiting lower MIC and MBC values against several bacterial and fungal strains. Collectively, these results highlight F. platycarpa as a valuable source of bioactive compounds with promising applications in antidiabetic, neuroprotective, antioxidant, and antimicrobial therapies.

A rapid method to assess sediment deposition and stress on coral reef benthic taxa resulting from dredging and other sediment disturbances.

Introduction: Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) pose a significant challenge in various surgical procedures, including periodontal surgery. Sutures used in the oral cavity are constantly exposed to saliva, which creates a wicking effect that can impede the healing process after surgery. To address these issues, modifications to sutures are necessary. Need for the study: Coated sutures that provide local, sustained release of antibiotics may effectively prevent biofilm formation and reduce bacterial counts in the periodontal surgical area. These innovative sutures combine two drugs, which can help mitigate the wicking effect, promote faster healing, and provide effective antimicrobial action. To date, no clinical studies have evaluated such a combination in suture form, prompting the design of this animal study. Currently, triclosan-coated sutures are the only commercially available option, and the new combination sutures could serve as an alternative. There is a lack of comparative data regarding the antimicrobial and wound-healing potential of alternative antibiotic combinations, particularly in the context of periodontal surgery. Aim: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of amoxicillinand metronidazole-coated sutures versus triclosan-coated sutures in terms of antimicrobial activity and wound-healing properties. Materials and Methods: This in vitro experimental study on rabbits will be conducted in the Department of Pharmacology at the Central Preclinical Research Facility, Datta Meghe College of Pharmacy, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, India, from April 2025 to December 2025. The study will be carried out in two phases. In Phase I, amoxicillin-and metronidazole-coated sutures will be prepared and their drug release evaluated. In Phase II, an animal study will be conducted. The study will include 12 New Zealand rabbits of both sexes, with an average weight of 2-4 kg. The rabbits will be categorised into two interventional groups, with six rabbits in each group. Rabbits in Group I will receive 4-0 sutures coated with the combination of amoxicillin and metronidazole in the interdental area after flap elevation. In Group II, 4-0 sutures coated with triclosan will be used to assess antimicrobial activity and wound healing. For inter and intragroup comparisons, unpaired and paired t-tests will be applied, respectively. A p-value of <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Medical devices used in health care should fulfill the requirements of the technical regulations to protect patient health. Difficulties in enforcing stricter rules in the new medical device regulations may negatively affect the continuity of care. This study examines the status of manufacturers' compliance with medical device regulations, based on predefined criteria, and proposes a collaborative action plan and an approach to verify regulatory compliance. We conducted a nationwide survey comprising questions grouped by criteria to understand the status of the manufacturers in terms of compliance with the Medical Device Regulation. Four hundred sixty-seven manufacturers participated in the survey. We achieved a Cronbach's alpha of 0.77, which indicates that the survey is statistically reliable. We applied the independent samples t-test to the responses to determine significant features per question and employed factor analysis to investigate the relationships of the questions. The results of independent samples t-tests showed statistically significant differences across groups in replies to several survey items (p < 0.05), indicating that participants' opinions varied based on their demographic characteristics. We applied Exploratory Factor Analysis to introduce the relationships between the questions. The analysis revealed that manufacturers continue to face substantial challenges in acquiring sufficient knowledge and operational capability to meet MDR requirements. In light of these findings, we focused on the person responsible for regulatory compliance, who plays a central role in maintaining regulatory compliance within manufacturing organizations. We proposed an action plan at the macro level to introduce more effective action plans in cooperation with other stakeholders, including healthcare providers, and a verification approach for regulatory compliance to enhance the Person Responsible for Regulatory Compliance's competence. Manufacturers should implement effective postmarketing clinical follow-up plans involving device-oriented parameters for monitoring in the healthcare system, especially in collaboration with health professionals.

Evaluation approach to assess actions and scenarios for improving climate and resource efficiency of municipalities and companies in industrial parks.

Environmental sustainability assessment of remediation alternatives for highly contaminated marine sediments.