Stimuli-responsive molecular materials capable of reversibly modulating their electronic states are of considerable interest for molecular electronics, information storage, and quantum technologies. In this context, we report a series of metallosupramolecular iron(II) [2 × 2] grid complexes constructed from bis-hydrazone ligands that incorporate proton-responsive N-H functionalities within the coordination framework. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals well-defined grid architectures in which the ligand design enables precise tuning of the ligand field through reversible protonation-deprotonation processes. This chemical modulation provides an effective pathway for controlling the electronic configuration of the iron centers. The resulting complexes display spin-state switching behavior triggered by thermal, light, and protonation-deprotonation effects. Spin-state modulation is experimentally demonstrated both in the solid state through variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements and in solution using paramagnetic 1H NMR spectroscopy. Diamagnetic Zn(II) analogues are also prepared as reference systems to elucidate the electronic behavior of the iron(II) grids. These results establish a family of metallosupramolecular iron(II) grid architectures exhibiting multistimuli-responsive spin-state switching and highlight how proton-coupled ligand-field modulation within a supramolecular framework can regulate bistable magnetic behavior. This work provides new insight into the design of chemically addressable spin-state switchable supramolecular systems for responsive molecular materials.

Screening for pathogenic variants associated with hereditary cancer syndromes has a positive impact on public health by identifying patients at risk of developing the associated cancers. This survey assesses the current practice of screening for hereditary cancer syndromes and the acceptability of chatbot utilization among primary care providers and residents in rural Southwest Virginia. A two part survey was conducted among primary care providers and residents in rural Southwest Virginia to assess demographics, health practices, genetic screening practices, and interest in chatbot technology in a geographically underserved population. The response rate for the provider and resident surveys were 8.9% and 19.9% respectively. A total of 66 providers responded to the survey. One third (32.3%) of providers in our study never screen for hereditary cancer syndromes and almost two thirds (63.1%) screen their patients for cancer syndromes less than half the time. About (77%) of providers felt chat bots would be useful in identifying patients who need testing and directing what testing to order. Surveys of 476 residential responders showed (81.9%) of residents felt that chatbot technology sounds somewhat to very useful for genetic screening and counseling. Over (57%) of residents noted they would feel comfortable with utilizing chatbot technology to discuss results of genetic screening. Residents and their providers in geographically underserved populations are interested in using chatbots to improve access to genetic testing. Implementation of technology, such as chatbots, in these under resourced settings has the potential to amplify access to genetic counseling and testing.

This study investigates the formation of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, a material of significant technological interest with complex structural properties, through atom-by-atom deposition modeling-a process common in bottom-up synthesis. Our findings demonstrate that, although the body-centered tetragonal (BCT) structure is thermodynamically stable at equilibrium for small particle sizes, the deposition process induces a crystal-to-crystal phase transition into the more stable wurtzite (WRZ) phase. This transformation is facilitated by a specific redistribution of the nanoparticle ions, which effectively compensates the emerging polar facets at the moment of transition. These insights offer a deeper understanding of oxide nanoparticle formation, which should ultimately help the design of materials with targeted structural features.

Virtual reality (VR) is a promising tool in health care, offering immersive and interactive environments that can enhance patient education, rehabilitation, and mental health interventions. However, effective patient engagement with head-mounted display (HMD)-based immersive VR depends on a combination of functional competencies and readiness-related determinants that have not yet been systematically defined. This study aimed to conceptualize an initial framework of VR health literacy, focused on HMD-based immersive VR in clinical settings, and to achieve expert consensus on its definition, domains, and subdomains. A 3-phase modified Delphi study was conducted between January and April 2024, including a literature review in MEDLINE (via PubMed) and Embase (2017-2023) informed by scoping review methodology, a multidisciplinary expert panel formation, and 2 online survey rounds, in which panelists rated each subdomain on a 4-point necessity scale and provided open-ended feedback, with 15 experts from the health care, VR, and health literacy fields. Consensus was defined using IQRs and agreement thresholds; items with moderate consensus were further evaluated through structured internal deliberation. A total of 15 experts participated in Round 1, and 13 continued to Round 2 (retention rate, 87%). An initial structure of 7 candidate domains with 23 subdomains was iteratively refined across the two rounds based on consensus levels, expert panel feedback, and internal deliberation, with consensus thresholds applied as guiding criteria rather than automatic exclusion rules; subdomains with moderate consensus were further evaluated through structured internal deliberation to determine theoretical necessity within the framework. The final framework comprised 5 domains and 14 subdomains: performance expectancy (perceived usefulness of VR for health management; expectations of future VR benefits); effort expectancy (perceived immersion or embodiment; perceived interactivity and responsiveness; understanding of VR-related terms); facilitating conditions (access to VR devices and platforms; digital knowledge and confidence; technical proficiency with VR devices; digital self-efficacy); attitudes toward VR (awareness of VR in health contexts; interest in VR technology; problem-solving ability using VR content); and behavioral intention (intention to use VR technology or services; willingness to engage with VR for health). This study presents an initial consensus-based framework of VR health literacy for HMD-based immersive VR in clinical settings. Developed through a multidisciplinary Delphi process, the framework combines operational competencies with engagement-related determinants to provide both theoretical clarity and practical use, offering guidance for clinicians, educators, and policymakers to design and implement VR interventions that are accessible, equitable, and effective in health care contexts.

Intermetallic compounds exhibit long-range atomic ordering that endows them with physicochemical properties distinct from those of elemental metals and disordered alloys. Extending ordered intermetallics into ultrathin, freestanding geometries is of both fundamental and technological interest, yet it remains challenging because the high temperatures required for chemical ordering exceed the thermal stability of conventional sacrificial templates. Here, we introduce water-etchable aluminate oxides as lattice-matched, thermally robust sacrificial templates for the epitaxial growth and nondestructive release of intermetallic nanomembranes. Using Pt3Sn as a model system, we realize millimeter-scale freestanding membranes that preserve long-range chemical order and crystallographic orientation after being released. These nanomembranes maintain structural integrity and mechanical robustness during transfer and under mechanical loading, demonstrating their compatibility with flexible device architectures. Low-temperature magnetotransport measurements further reveal the preservation of quantum interference and multiband transport behaviors. This oxide template strategy establishes a generalizable synthetic pathway toward freestanding intermetallic nanomembranes and other ultrathin metal systems.

ABSTRACT With the increasing global interest in smart technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), libraries are exploring innovative ways to enhance their services and user experience. However, in the Indian context particularly within premier institutions there remains a noticeable gap in research on how Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals perceive and adopt IoT technologies. This study addresses that gap by investigating the adoption readiness of LIS professionals toward IoT and its practical applications in library services across five Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Northern India. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the research examines how perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), and behavioral intention influence the acceptance of IoT in library settings. A stratified sampling method was used to ensure balanced representation, and a total of 63 professionals were approached, resulting in 59 valid responses. Descriptive statistics, including percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used alongside inferential tests such as ANOVA, regression, and chi-square analysis, with p-values below 0.05 indicating statistical significance. F-values were used to interpret group differences, and regression helped identify predictive factors influencing IoT adoption readiness. The findings reveal that most LIS professionals gained IoT awareness through professional exposure like workshops, conferences, and peer discussions. While there is recognition of IoT’s potential for enhancing services such as self-checkout systems, digital reference services, and smart resource tracking, implementation remains limited, with less interest shown in domains like elderly care. The study highlights the need for targeted training programs, supportive infrastructure, and policy frameworks to enable effective IoT adoption in libraries. By aligning empirical findings with TAM constructs, this research not only provides actionable insights for LIS professionals but also contributes a theoretical foundation for understanding technology adoption in academic libraries, making it a pioneering study in the Indian context.

Traditional biomass-based injera baking stoves used in rural Ethiopia are characterized by low thermal efficiency, excessive fuel consumption, and significant greenhouse gas emissions, creating major environmental, health, and energy challenges. Despite the increasing interest in clean baking technologies, limited research has focused on optimizing biogas-powered injera baking systems while maintaining the traditional quality and cultural acceptability of injera. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and evaluate an optimized biogas-powered injera baking stove with improved thermal performance and reduced energy consumption.The study employed experimental and analytical methods to design and test an improved biogas stove incorporating an inverted 45° conical combustion chamber, enhanced insulation, and optimized air-fuel mixing mechanisms. Thermal efficiency, flame stability, heat distribution, energy consumption, and injera quality parameters were experimentally evaluated and compared with conventional biomass-based baking systems. The results revealed that the developed stove achieved a thermal efficiency of 36%, which is more than double that of traditional three-stone biomass stoves. The optimized system reduced energy consumption by approximately 40% per injera and demonstrated stable blue flame combustion with uniform heat distribution across the baking surface. Large-scale adoption by 5 million rural households could potentially save about 23,160 TJ (6.43 TWh) of energy annually. Furthermore, the produced injera maintained desirable traditional quality characteristics, including porosity, softness, flexibility, and uniform thickness, confirming the cultural acceptability of the technology. The findings indicate that the optimized biogas injera baking stove is an efficient, sustainable, and culturally appropriate clean baking solution for rural communities. Its large-scale implementation could contribute significantly to energy conservation, climate change mitigation, and improved household health conditions. However, long-term field-based evaluations are recommended to assess durability, operational stability, maintenance requirements, and environmental performance under diverse real-world conditions.

The development of botanical nano-pesticides offers a promising pathways toward safer and more sustainable pest management. Nano/microemulsion formulations improve the solubility, stability, and adhesion of plant-derived pesticides, thereby enabling controlled release and enhanced bioactivity at lower doses. High-energy emulsification procedures such as high-pressure homogenization, micro-fluidization, and ultrasonication can be scaled for industrial productions. This review summarizes the environmental and health risks associated with persistent synthetic pesticides, highlights antimicrobial and antipest mechanisms of botanical compounds, and discusses advances in nanoemulsion delivery platforms that address volatility, degradation, and limited bioavailability. Recent patent filings and commercial efforts demonstrate growing technological interest but also reveal regulatory and scalability challenges. The review concludes with recommendations for integrating botanical nanoemulsions into sustainable pest management strategies and identifies key research priorities needed for field translation and policy adoption. • Botanical formulations inhibit bacteria and pests through membrane disruption, protein dysfunction, and neurophysiological interference. • Botanicals nano/micro-emulsion controlled pests safely and effectively. • Stable micro/nano-emulsions could be prepared via Low/High energy methods. • Ultrasonic/high-pressure homogenized green label nano-emulsion can scale up easily.

BackgroundThe growing aging population and staff shortages are placing pressure on Dutch nursing homes (NHs). These challenges have led to an increased interest in digital health technologies. Among these are wearable devices that allow for remote continuous monitoring of vital signs. An example is the Healthdot (smartQare), a wearable electronic device that continuously monitors heart rate, respiratory rate, and physical activity. In the context of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in NHs, where initial symptoms can go unnoticed, continuous monitoring may aid in early recognition, timely intervention, and reduce staff workloads. However, little is known about how health care professionals perceive the use of continuous vital signs monitoring devices, such as the Healthdot, for this cause in NHs.ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals on the use of the Healthdot for early detection and monitoring of ARIs in NHs, to inform potential future implementation.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with 20 physicians, nurses, and certified nursing assistants from 4 NHs and 1 acute geriatric community hospital located in a NH. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed to identify themes regarding their perspectives on the use of the Healthdot for monitoring ARIs in this setting.ResultsFive main themes were identified that related to the appropriate use of the Healthdot for NH clients and health care professionals: alignment of Healthdot use and NH clients’ treatment policies, balancing safety and freedom, impact of the Healthdot on work processes, supporting rather than replacing care, and possible use during pandemics and in the future. Additionally, several preconditions for the use of the Healthdot were identified, including its usability, a support base among care staff, adequate training and guidance, communication with NH clients and their relatives, and a clear policy regarding its use.ConclusionsGiven the complexity of care in NHs, where clinical care is typically balanced against quality of life and a homelike environment, physicians generally expressed reserved attitudes toward the Healthdot, highlighting the need to consider multiple factors in its implementation. Care staff were generally positive about the device. Nevertheless, tailored assessment for each individual NH client remains essential, balancing treatment goals, safety, autonomy, and person-centered care. Additionally, clear communication and alignment between health care professionals in this setting are crucial, specifically regarding their expectations of the Healthdot’s role in care processes. This study offers practical guidance that may inform future implementation efforts of continuous vital sign monitoring devices in NHs.

Background/Objectives: With the development of the silver economy, older adults have shown increasing interest in digital technologies, such as electronic fitness games (Exergames). This study explores the impact of commercial exergames on the emotional experience of older adults in order to provide novel ideas and applications for healthy aging. Methods: This was a prospective, single-center, unblinded, repeated-measures randomized controlled trial comparing an exergame intervention with traditional indoor exercise. This study included 30 older adults (aged 60–89 years) who were able to move independently. The intervention group performed exergame training using Ring Fit Adventure, whereas the comparison group performed traditional indoor exercise. The intervention lasted four weeks, with two sessions per week (eight sessions). Mood states were assessed using the Brunel Mood Scale, and data were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model to examine group, time, and interaction effects. Results: Significant group × time interaction effects were observed for confusion, depression, fatigue, tension, and vigor (p < 0.05). No significant interaction effect was found for anger (p = 0.942). Conclusions: This study examined commercial exergames from the perspectives of emotional experience and mental health. Both commercial exergames and traditional indoor exercise were associated with improvements in immediate mood states. The exergame-based training approach was associated with lower levels of confusion, depression, and fatigue, as well as higher vigor scores. The results provide preliminary evidence regarding the role of digital exercise in mood regulation among older adults.

Purpose Despite growing interest in metaverse technologies for supply chain management, empirical evidence on their market performance benefits remains scarce. This study aims to address this gap by examining how supply chain metaverse adoption (SCMA) enhances supply chain market performance (SCMP), with particular attention to transformative resilience (TR) as a mediating mechanism and metaverse platform capability (MPC) as a moderating condition. Drawing on dynamic capabilities theory, the study develops and tests a comprehensive model that explains the conditions under which metaverse adoption translates into superior market outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Using a two-wave survey, data were collected from 300 senior managers of agribusiness firms and their key suppliers in Ghana. Structural equation modeling (Analysis of moment structures-SEM) and hierarchical regression were used to assess the direct, interaction and mediational relationships among SCMA, TR, MPC and SCMP. Findings The results show that SCMA significantly enhances both SCMP and TR. TR partially mediates the link between SCMA and SCMP. Furthermore, MPC positively moderates the SCMA–TR link, indicating that firms with stronger MPC experience amplified resilience gains from metaverse adoption. Practical implications The findings suggest that agribusiness firms and supply chain organizations in general can better enhance the benefits of disruptive technologies such as the metaverse by fully integrating them into the operational processes and intentionally developing the capabilities required to use these technologies effectively. Originality/value This study offers novel insights into the specific processes of how and when metaverse can be used to build TR and subsequently enhance SCMP. It also deepens our understanding of how digital technology can be optimally harnessed within the framework of dynamic capability and contributes to the growing literature on contemporary technologies, resilience and market value within supply chains.

Over the past decade, scientific disinformation has been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the proliferation of social media. The emergence of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools has worsened the spread of misinformation and poses risks to scientific literature through low-quality journals. Promoting both scientific and digital literacy in education is now more critical than ever. Our pilot study explores how to enhance classroom instruction to foster student motivation while developing these literacies. We present an innovative course design featuring interdisciplinary, low-code STEM projects and collaborative learning. Designed for middle school students, the pedagogical scenarios span three difficulty levels. Teachers trained in the program praised its creativity and interdisciplinary approach, though concerns were raised about schools’ technological readiness. A pre- and post-implementation STEM interest survey revealed that the pilot group’s interest in Engineering and Technology increased compared to the control group, highlighting the course’s potential to spark lasting engagement in STEM fields.

The research herein continues the series of research within the National Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies in Rm. Valcea Nuclear department and the Pilot Plant for Tritium and Deuterium Separation National Interest Facility regarding the field of interest of hydrogen isotope separation technologies. The purpose of this research is to obtain all the information necessary to promote a demonstrative solution called the advanced modular system (AMS) based on combined electrolysis and catalytic exchange process (CECE) coupled with isotopic permeation. This technology will be applied to the decontamination of low-level tritiated waste, thereby contributing to stock reduction and enhancing radiological and environmental safety. Tritium is transferred from the liquid phase to the gas phase through the electrolysis process, while in the isotopic exchange column, an inverse isotopic transfer takes place back into the liquid phase. By combining these two isotopic separation processes, the decontamination of the gas released through the stack at the top of the liquid phase catalytic exchange (LPCE) column is ensured, along with a concentrated tritiated water product. Thus, the volumes of tritiated water waste can be reduced, ensuring a tritium concentration that allows for efficient subsequent recovery. The modular system allows for three distinct operating modes. In single-module coupling, one electrolysis module is coupled to two LPCE columns connected in series. Parallel coupling involves two electrolysis modules, each coupled to an individual LPCE column, with a process water extraction stream established between the two electrolysis modules. Inter-stage transfer consists of two electrolysis modules, each coupled to one LPCE column, and a process water stream is transferred from the first LPCE column to the second electrolysis module. AMS construction was carried because of a preliminary conceptual design that was developed using the experience gained from previous projects. Connections between the main equipment of the installation are made gradually for each operating mode, after their successive testing. Testing was carried out with tritiated water with low concentrations of tritium (approximately 1000 Bq/L), and measurements at key points of the installation were carried out on the gas and liquid phase in water samples (the gas was converted to water using CuO reactors) using a liquid scintillation analyzer. The experiments aimed to verify the functionality and performance of the automation and control systems, and the results led to the implementation of some changes in the conceptual design and in the execution of the system; details of these are also presented. The paper presents an analysis of the results obtained, the current state of research, and future programs we foresee for this installation.

Two-dimensional (2D) metals hold significant physical interest and promise for future technologies due to their unique properties, which arise from spatial confinement and enhanced electronic fluctuations. Although the properties of a 2D electron gas/liquid are generally well understood, how these properties in one material are influenced by electronic correlations in a neighbouring material remains an underexplored question. Using quasiparticle interference measurements in scanning tunnelling microscopy, we investigated how the quasiparticle properties of the Pd-terminated surfaces of delafossite oxides PdCrO2and PdCoO2, originating from the same mechanism, are differently affected by the antiferromagnetic Mott-insulating CrO2layers in PdCrO2and the non-magnetic band-insulating CoO2layers in PdCoO2below. By comparing the experimental results with tight binding calculations based on a minimal model, we gain a qualitative understanding of the distinct exchange interactions present in these two systems.

Growing demands in the field of energy storage materials have driven the need for ways of manufacturing more adaptive, efficient, and sustainable systems. This has increased interest in advanced manufacturing technologies that enable both structural programmability, and functional responsiveness. 4D printing (4DP), a step in evolution of additive manufacturing, uses stimuli-responsive smart materials (such as shape memory polymers, hydrogels, nanocomposites, and metal oxides) to fabricate components that are capable of time-dependent dynamic reconfiguration. This study investigates the intersection of 4DP technology and energy storage systems by critically evaluating the materials, processes, and device-centric applications of 4DP in batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells. This study categorizes electrochemical storage types, their material requirements, and current synthesis methods, identifying key limitations in energy efficiency, waste, and adaptability. 4DP-compatible materials are thoroughly analyzed in terms of their printability, structural integrity, and functional performance under various stimuli. Multiple case studies demonstrate thermal actuation, shape recovery, and self-healing in energy devices. A comparative analysis was also conducted between 3D printing (3DP) technology and 4DP according to parameters such as energy consumption, material waste, flexibility, and scalability. Current technological barriers identified in the literature include low throughput, complexities in ink formulation, and postprint activation requirements, which are discussed along with emerging solutions. With this review, the authors position 4D printing as a potential alternative manufacturing strategy for energy storage systems, particularly in applications requiring programmable architecture and functional adaptability, while recognizing that substantial technical and scalability challenges remain. • 4D printing enables programmable, morphing energy storage device architectures. • Smart materials like SMPs, hydrogels, and MXenes enhance energy storage functions. • 4DP reduces post-processing waste but faces recycling and scalability challenges. • Comparative analysis shows 4DP improves adaptability over traditional techniques. • Multifunctional electrodes show enhanced performance via stimuli-responsive design.

The growing demand for sustainable, decentralized energy solutions has heightened interest in biomass-based technologies for rural applications. In Mexico, the expansion of oil palm cultivation in humid tropical regions has generated large quantities of agro-industrial residues that remain largely underutilized. This review analyzes the potential of oil palm residues as feedstock for small-scale thermochemical conversion, with a particular focus on gasifier stove technologies. Key residues, including empty fruit bunches, mesocarp fiber, and palm kernel shells, exhibit favorable physicochemical properties, including adequate calorific values and high volatile matter content, which support their suitability for gasification processes. However, challenges related to moisture content, ash composition, and tar formation may affect system performance and require appropriate pre-treatment and operational control. Gasifier stoves, especially fixed-bed and top-lit updraft (TLUD) configurations, represent a viable solution for decentralized energy generation in rural settings, improving combustion efficiency and reducing emissions compared to traditional biomass use. Despite their potential, current bioenergy policies in Mexico remain primarily focused on large-scale biofuel production, limiting the deployment of small-scale technologies. Overall, oil palm residues constitute a promising feedstock for gasifier stove applications, although their successful implementation depends on feedstock optimization, appropriate stove design, and the development of policy frameworks that support decentralized bioenergy systems.

This article reports anab initiomolecular dynamics (MD) investigation of the static structure, microscopic dynamics, transport coefficients and electronic properties of the liquid Fe0.85Ni0.15, Fe0.90Ni0.10and Fe0.79Ni0.05S0.16alloys which have both geophysical and technological (Invar alloys) interest. The motivation is twofold: first, to provide a first-principles description of atomic-scale structure and dynamics in these alloys, for which experimental data on some transport properties remain scarce; and second, to investigate the influence of sulfur on the local order, collective excitations, and viscosity. The calculated total static structure factors show excellent agreement with available neutron scattering (NS) experiments, validating the fidelity of the simulations. Self-diffusion coefficients for Fe and Ni in the binary alloys are found to be nearly identical and in good agreement with quasielastic NS data; the addition of sulfur substantially enhances diffusivity and reduces viscosity. The collective dynamics exhibit propagating acoustic modes, from which adiabatic sound velocities are derived. Analysis of transverse current correlation spectra uncovers, for the first time, the emergence of three distinct transverse branches in the dispersion relation of the minority Ni component at low wavevectors; this is a phenomenon not previously observed in liquid metals and prompts further theoretical investigation. The electronic density of states confirms metallic behavior and provides evidence of S(3p)-Fe(3d) hybridization.

Technology has become an active player at the international level, as it has become the lifeblood of life in all its aspects. Therefore, technology needs a legal framework that regulates the relationship between the parties involved in the manufacture and production of this technology, those who possess it, and those who transfer it. As with any new legal system, disputes arise, because they relate to technical and technological interests. Therefore, the question arises about the mechanism for resolving these disputes. The nature of these contracts is always linked to countries, since technology cannot be confined to a narrow scope or to the territory of one country only. Therefore, political considerations enter into this type of contract, and their impact is particularly evident in the mechanisms for settling disputes in technology transfer contracts.

Healthcare institutions worldwide generate growing volumes of heterogeneous clinical data, yet legal, ethical, and infrastructural constraints often prevent these data from being centralized for analysis. Federated learning approaches offer a promising solution by enabling multi-site computation without transferring sensitive patient information, but require well-designed cross-site data harmonization. Modern Data Lakehouse architectures address this requirement by providing a scalable, governed foundation for multimodal clinical dataset integration through unified storage, metadata-rich governance, and FAIR-aligned data access. Despite increasing interest in such technologies across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, operational deployments remain limited due to fragmented infrastructures, insufficient data governance, and gaps in practical expertise. This perspective article reports on a German-Tunisian knowledge and technology transfer initiative conducted within the DAAD Ta'ziz Partnership programme. As mentioned in the, 'the Arabic word 'Ta'ziz' means 'strengthening/consolidation' and has been chosen to clearly express the intended outcome of the programme' [https://www.daad.de/en/information-services-for-higher-education-institutions/further-information-on-daad-programmes/taziz-partnership/ (visited on November 28th, 2025)]. The collaboration between the University Hospital of Cologne and the University of Sfax introduced and implemented federated learning concepts via the Personal Health Train paradigm, and explored the design of a Data Lakehouse tailored to emerging healthcare ecosystems in Tunisia. Through an internship programme, hands-on MLOps training, and a large-scale workshop, the project built technical capacity in containerized analytics workflows, data governance, FAIR data management, and lakehouse engineering. We synthesize lessons learned regarding infrastructural limitations, data governance maturity, interoperability challenges, and institutional readiness, and outline considerations for sustainable adoption of distributed analytics in the MENA region. The findings highlight the critical importance of capacity building, bidirectional knowledge exchange, proof-of-concept validation, and administrative engagement for deploying trustworthy AI and modern data infrastructures in sensitive healthcare environments. We by emphasizing the need for further developments regarding federated learning and Data Lakehouse adoption in Tunisia, and how cross-regional partnerships can accelerate responsible, privacy-preserving digital health innovation.

Polaritonic switches and light control of strong coupling in molecular plasmonic systems are of fundamental and technological interest. Here, we show that coupling strength is made tunable in a photoswitchable plasmonic cavity formed at the interface between a metal and a chromophore-containing polymer. This setup is much simpler than approaches based on individual quantum emitters in high finesse optical cavities. We demonstrate reversible photoswitchable in operando Rabi splitting of ∼600 meV, as high as ∼29% of the molecular transition energy, and control of the coupling strength via irradiation time and chromophore concentration. The experimental results are confirmed by transfer matrix simulations with losses inherently included via the experimentally measured dielectric functions.