Simple Changes Research Articles

Radial flow enhances QCM biosensor sensitivity

QCM biosensors are widely used for the detection of a variety of pathogenic microorganisms, and there remains a need for further increases in sensitivity. The majority of QCM biosensors are operated under diffusion-limited conditions that, when used with a standard flow cell, lead to the majority of analyte being captured onto regions of the crystal surface that have limited to no mass sensitivity. Here we show that simple changes to a flow cell architecture (reduction of flow cell height) can provide increases in sensing signal. Furthermore, we show that the use of radial flow will lead to analyte capture directly in the sensitive region of a crystal, thus providing dramatic increases in the biosensor’s sensitivity. We examine this problem from both a theoretical and numerical perspective and present a new method by which to consider how changes to a sensing assay will affect sensor sensitivity. We demonstrate this experimentally through the detection of E. coli using one commercial and two custom-built flow cells having large differences in height, one of which has radial flow. We show that simple reduction in flow cell height using a standard flow cell leads to a 2.4 × in sensitivity, where the further inclusion of radial flow leads to a 5.1 × increase. We further show that these performance increases are only slightly offset by changes in the sensing noise, which were seen to vary slightly when using different flow cells. These results are directly applicable to nearly every QCM biosensor operated using affinity-based detection.

Women’s expectations about birth, requests for pain relief in labor and the subsequent development of birth dissonance and trauma

BackgroundBirth is a significant event in women’s lives. As Mansfield notes (2008) many women aim for a birth that avoids pharmacological pain relief because they are advised it is better for them and their baby. For women having their first baby, this may not be realistic as 3/4 of primiparous women in Australia will use pharmacological pain relief. This study examines the expectations that a group of women had regarding pain relief, how these expectations developed and what happened to requests for pain relief in labour.MethodsA longitudinal prospective study design was used to recruit 15 women who were having their first baby. Women having low risk pregnancies, hoping for a ‘natural birth’ (vaginal, no/minimal pharmacological pain relief) were eligible. A semi-structured interview tool was used across all three interviews that asked women about their expectations, then actual labour experience, pain management requests and how these were responded to by carers. Fifteen women were interviewed – at 36 weeks gestation; as soon after delivery of their baby as possible, then six months post-delivery (N = 43 interviews). Interviews were recorded and transcribed and coded by ES using NVivo software with hierarchical thematic analysis used.ResultsThe study found that women appear to experience a mismatch between expectations they had developed pre-birth, versus actual experience. This appears to cause a specific form of dissonance – which we have termed ‘birth dissonance’ leaving them feeling traumatised post birth. This is because what women expected to happen in birth was often not realised. In particular, some women requested pain relief in birth and felt that their request was not responded to as hoped, and also seemed to develop post-birth trauma. We proposed that this may have resulted from dissonance arising from their expectations about being able to birth without significant pain relief. Interventions and technology may also contribute to this sense of mismatch and post-birth trauma.ConclusionsLow risk birthing women birthing in a hospital may have to engage with higher levels of technology, intervention and pain relief than that which they expected pre-birth. This could possibly be avoided with four simple changes. Firstly, better pre-birth education for women about how painful labor is likely to be. Secondly, pre-birth education which includes a detailed explanation of the utility of pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain relief. Thirdly, more egalitarian decision-making during labour and finally delivering upon women’s requests for pain relief in labor, at the time that they ask for it. Further research is required to determine the extent of birth dissonance and how women making the transition to motherhood can avoid it.

Social media feedback and extreme opinion expression

On popular social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Tiktok, the quantitative feedback received by content producers is asymmetric: counts of positive reactions such as ‘likes,’ or ‘retweets,’ are easily observed but similar counts of negative reactions are not directly available. We study how this design feature of social media platforms affects the expression of extreme opinions. Using simulations of a learning model, we compare two feedback environments that differ in terms of the availability of negative reaction counts. We find that expressed opinions are generally more extreme when negative reaction counts are not available than when they are. We rely on analyses of Twitter data and several online experiments to provide empirical support for key model assumptions and test model predictions. Our findings suggest that a simple design change might limit, under certain conditions, the expression of extreme opinions on social media.

59 A Student Perspective on the Importance of Inclusive Pedagogy

Abstract Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education is critical for success of all students including those with marginalized identities. Implementing an inclusive pedagogy involves consideration of all student experiences, backgrounds, and identities. Students who identify within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer plus (LGBTQ+) community can benefit from a more inclusive learning environment. Within the classroom setting and individual courses in particular, including pronouns on course syllabi, using non-binary language, and asking for/respecting preferred names are all examples of simple changes that can be made to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ students. Faculty can also demonstrate a commitment to inclusion outside of the classroom by including pronouns in email signatures or by having DEI training stickers on office doors. These efforts can indicate that faculty are striving to provide a safe space where students can be themselves and that they are committed to being supportive educators that students can trust. Exploring the student perspective offers a unique opportunity to identify potential omissions or oversights in existing curricular and larger systemic factors that can contribute to a lack of inclusion, and to consider potential strategies to ensure promotion of LGBTQ+ inclusive approaches for students in higher education.

A theoretical model of industrial accidents investigations: a conceptualization of the mental processes that trigger and control investigative activities

Humans strive to understand and respond to abnormal changes that occur within their surrounding contexts. Current literature is yet to discuss the process of triggering an enquiring process within the human cognition after the occurrence of an unforeseen change event or an accident, to explain what behavioral response can follow, and to recognize what factors shape such a response. This article presents a new theoretical model – tagged as the ‘Slammed Adjacent Door (SAD)’ model that addresses the behaviour of an individual responder to a simple change event, which is expanded to discuss the wider social and organizational behaviour relevant to an accident. The model establishes the link between the preliminary cognition of potential investigators and their following practical response to an accident, by discussing the dynamic interactions of various endogenous and exogenous factors that trigger and control their post-event investigative actions. According to the SAD model, an industrial accident investigation is a six-phased sequence of mental manipulations, decisions, and physical actions that are initiated, motivated, and sustained by complex mutually-influencing personal, organizational, and wider set of input factors. The model has consequential set of theoretical and practical implications relating to organizational or other incidents and accidents investigations.

Responsible waste management: using resources efficiently (Part 2).

This chapter aims to describe the types of waste produced in dental practice, the costs associated with disposal of this waste, and the impact that the disposal method has on the environment and on human health. It discusses the waste hierarchy and explores how dental surgeries can reduce their waste generation through simple changes in practice. The chapter continues by highlighting the benefits of performing a waste audit, with examples of how correct segregation of the waste produced in practice is both cost-effective and reduces the environmental impact of its disposal. Finally, we discuss some of the barriers and enablers of changing waste disposal behaviours in the dental practice and identify how the environmentally minded practitioner can encourage pro-environmental behaviour in their dental team.

Simple within-stride changes in treadmill speed can drive selective changes in human gait symmetry.

Millions of people walk with asymmetric gait patterns, highlighting a need for customizable rehabilitation approaches that can flexibly target different aspects of gait asymmetry. Here, we studied how simple within-stride changes in treadmill speed could drive selective changes in gait symmetry. In Experiment 1, healthy adults (n = 10) walked on an instrumented treadmill with and without a closed-loop controller engaged. This controller changed the treadmill speed to 1.50 or 0.75 m/s depending on whether the right or left leg generated propulsive ground reaction forces, respectively. Participants walked asymmetrically when the controller was engaged: the leg that accelerated during propulsion (right) showed smaller leading limb angles, larger trailing limb angles, and smaller propulsive forces than the leg that decelerated (left). In Experiment 2, healthy adults (n = 10) walked on the treadmill with and without an open-loop controller engaged. This controller changed the treadmill speed to 1.50 or 0.75 m/s at a prescribed time interval while a metronome guided participants to step at different time points relative to the speed change. Different patterns of gait asymmetry emerged depending on the timing of the speed change: step times, leading limb angles, and peak propulsion were asymmetric when the speed changed early in stance while step lengths, step times, and propulsion impulses were asymmetric when the speed changed later in stance. In sum, we show that simple manipulations of treadmill speed can drive selective changes in gait symmetry. Future work will explore the potential for this technique to restore gait symmetry in clinical populations.

All you have to do is ask: A nudge strategy for reducing sweetness in beverages

This study investigates how a mandated choice approach can help reduce sugar intake in café beverages. It addresses two key questions: (1) Can providing customers the option to choose how sweet their drinks are through a mandated choice approach encourage them to select less sweet options? (2) Does adding calorie information, alongside the mandated choice approach, have a stronger impact on customers' decisions about the sweetness of their drinks? Through a real-world experiment, the study discovered that customers who were prompted to select their drink's sweetness level tended to choose drinks with less sugar. However, providing calorie information did not significantly enhance the effect of the mandated choice. This research highlights that a simple change such as adopting a mandated choice can reduce sugar consumption while maintaining customer satisfaction.

Replacement of watching television with physical activity and the change in gestational diabetes mellitus risk: A case-control study.

To evaluate the effect of replacing 1 h/week of watching television with 1 h/week of light to moderate (LMPA) or vigorous physical activity (VPA) before and during pregnancy on the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A case-control study was conducted in pregnant women. Physical activity and television watching before and during pregnancy were assessed using the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire. Each type of activity was classified according to intensity (metabolic equivalent of task; MET): less than 6 METs is LMPA, 6 METs or more is VPA. The duration of physical activity and watching television was calculated, and logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals for their association with GDM risk. The isotemporal substitution model was used to calculate the effect of replacing 1 h/week of watching television with the same duration of physical activity. The GDM cases (n = 290) spent less time performing VPA than controls without GDM (n = 1175) and more time watching television during pregnancy (P < 0.05). During pregnancy, the risk of GDM increased for each hour of watching television (aOR = 1.02; 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.03). Women who spent more time watching television during pregnancy were likely to develop GDM (aOR>14 h/week vs. 0-6 h/week = 2.03; 95% confidence interval 1.35-3.08). Replacing 1 h/week of watching television with 1 h/week of VPA during pregnancy could decrease the chance of developing GDM (aOR = 0.66; 95% confidence interval 0.43-1.00). A simple change of 1 h/week of watching television for 1 h/week of VPA in pregnant women may reduce the risk of GDM considerably.

The Anticorruption Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Corruption Beneficial Owner Rule

To fight corruption, money laundering, and organized crime, a proposed APUNCAC Beneficial Owner Rule would require financial service personnel to obtain and submit certification by the true beneficial owner when covered funds are transacted in amounts exceeding USD 3000. The strategy would trap front men into false statements, create a transaction-level record of assertions by front men that can be tested by a prosecutor, eliminate loopholes that allow criminals to escape prosecution in offshore havens, not require proof of a predicate crime or the illicit nature of funds, trigger a chain of witness cooperation, fight organized crime using a domino strategy, and be accomplished via a relatively simple change in domestic laws. Analysis suggests (1) the required technology exists; (2) transaction friction would be minimal; and (3) that the implementation of the Rule is feasible and practical, both operationally and from a legal standpoint, suggesting that the proposed Rule offers a promising strategy to fight organized crime.

Enhancing Prebiotic Phosphorylation and Modulating the Regioselectivity of Nucleosides with Diamidophosphate†.

Among the many prebiotic phosphorylation chemistries investigated, diamidophosphate (DAP) has shown promising potential for nucleoside phosphorylation. Herein, we show that DAP's phosphorylation capability is enhanced significantly (up to 90%) in wet-dry cycles by a range of prebiotically plausible pHs (6-10) and temperatures (up to 80 °C) in the presence of additives such as formamide, cyanamide, urea, guanidine, 2-aminoimidazole, and hydantoin. For ribonucleosides, the main products are the 2',3'-cyclic phosphates along with the corresponding 2'- and 3'-phosphates, while deoxyribonucleosides form 5'- and 3'-phosphates, the ratios of which are affected by cycles and the presence and nature of the additives. A simple change of temperature to 80 °C with additives leads to higher conversion yields (≈80-90%) with an increased level of 5'-phosphorylation (≈40-49%). This demonstration of enhancing and controlling the regioselectivity of DAP-mediated phosphorylation by a range of additives and conditions potentiates transitioning to the search for more efficient catalysts, enabling regiospecific phosphorylations and oligonucleotide formation in the same milieu and setting.

Diet and nutrition strategies for cancer prevention: A comprehensive review

Maintaining a healthy diet is crucial for preventing cancer, as it provides the essential nutrients needed for proper physiological functioning. It is predicted that simple lifestyle and dietary changes can lessen the risk of developing 30-40% of all malignancies. Obesity, the consumption of nutrient-deficient foods such as sugary and refined flour products, which can lead to impaired glucose metabolism and, eventually, diabetes, a lack of dietary fiber, an excess of red meat, and an imbalance in the consumption of omega-3 and omega-6 fats are all risk factors for cancer. To reduce your risk of cancer, include flax seeds, a variety of fruits and vegetables, and dietary fiber in your diet. Additionally, there is proof that nutritional supplements may help lower the risk of breast cancer recurrence. To prevent various types of cancer, it is important to include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and specific fatty acids in your diet, alongside engaging in regular physical exercise. Furthermore, it is crucial to use advances in genetics and molecular biology to extend nutritional research from observational studies to demonstrating causative linkages. Cancer prevention strategies that involve dietary changes targeted at specific groups should be based on a thorough understanding of these fundamental principles. Such dietary methods can be effective as well as in cancer prevention but also cancer rehabilitation. This review investigates the relationship between cancer and diet, examines straightforward approaches to incorporating cancer-preventive foods into one’s diet, investigates the impact of dietary variables and lifestyle choices on the risk of cancer, and investigates clinical studies focused on nutrition and cancer prevention.

The Effect of Phenolic Extract of Mint (Mentha spicata) in the Fertility of Male Laboratory Mice.

The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of the phenolic extract of the Mentha spicata plant on the fertility of laboratory mice. The phenolic compounds were extracted using the Reflex condenser from the leaves of the Mentha spicata plant, and it was chemically detected. In the current study,)Albino Mice of the musculus Mus type was used at an age ranging between (12-11) months. The group was randomly divided into three groups. The control group was injected with a physiological solution (0.9% NaCl), the second group was injected with the phenolic extract of the Mentha spicata plant at (100 mg/kg) concentration, and the third group was injected by concentration (200 mg/kg) from the phenolic extract of the Mentha spicata. The phenols were dissolved in a physiological solution (0.9% NaCl), and all individuals of these groups were injected through the peritoneal membrane I.P. at a rate of 0.5 ml per animal per day for 30 days. The phenolic extract of Mentha spicata leaves caused a significant decrease (P&lt;0.05) in the level of Testosterone and Luteinizing hormone (ng/ml) in the blood serum of the first and second treatment group when compared with the control group. The study also indicates a significant decrease (P&lt;0.05) in the concentration of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in the third treatment group compared with its level in the control group. At the same time, there were no significant changes (P&lt;0.05) for the second treatment group compared with the control group. The average concentration of sperms taken from the caudal epididymis did not change significantly (P&lt;0.05) for both treatments compared to the control group. The percentage of motile sperm decreased significantly (P&lt;0.05) as a result of treatment with the phenolic extract of Mentha spicata leaves, and this percentage is directly proportional to the increase in the doses used of the extract. Sperm vitality compared to the control group, as for the percentage leading to abnormal sperms, the results showed a significant increase (P&lt;0.05) in the average percentage of abnormal sperms in the caudal epididymis of the second treatment animals when compared with the rates of the first and control groups, while there was no There were no significant changes (P&lt;0.05) in the rate of the first treatment compared to the control. Histologically, the results indicate that treatment with phenolic extract of Mentha spicata leaves caused simple histological changes, represented by a simple vacuole of the interstitial layer between the tubules, slight congestion and partial detachment of the germ cells from the basement membrane with a thick fibrous capsule surrounding the epididymis tubes and congestion of blood vessels. In contrast, the seminal tubules and seminal lumen remained normal. This compared to the control group, which showed the semi- Bionatura http://dx.doi.org/10.21931/RB/CSS/2023.08.03.48 2 niferous tubules, seminal cavity and germ layers commonly with normal spermatozoa stages. Keywords: Phenolic extract, Mentha spicata, Fertility

Exploring the copper(II) coordination to 2′-hydroxy-4-benzyloxychalcone analogues and their potential pharmacological applications

Chalcones are chemical precursors of flavonoids and exhibit a variety of biological properties, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-malarial activities. According to the literature, different transition metal complexes of chalcones exhibit antitumor and antibacterial properties. Herein we report the synthesis, characterization, and the in vitro evaluation of antileishmanial, antiproliferative, and antiviral activities of novel copper(II)-2′-hydroxy-4-benzyloxychalcone complexes. Two of the complexes (1 and 2) had the formula [Cu(L)2], and the other two (3 and 4) were characterized as [Cu(L)(phen)Cl], where L is the deprotonated form of the 2′-hydroxy-4-benzyloxychalcones (HL1, is a fluorine substituted analog of HL2) and phen is 1,10- phenanthroline. Structures resolved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction showed that complexes 3 and 4 had a distorted square pyramid geometry, with chloride at the apical position. The stability of the complexes in dimethyl sulfoxide showed a significant variation. A wide range of ligand exchange kinetics was observed in the solution, influenced by chalcone fluorination and the presence of phenanthroline. Potential pharmacological applications were evaluated using in vitro assays for anti-proliferative, leishmanicidal, and antiviral activities. Complexes 1 and 3 showed cytostatic effects against the human breast tumor cell line (MCF-7, GI50 = 4.6 and 1.0 µM, respectively) that could be attributed to the free ligand HL1 (MCF-7, GI50 = 1.16 µM). Moreover, complex 1 showed higher selectivity to MCF-7 cells in comparison to murine immortalized 3T3 cells (GI50 > 100 µM). Complex 2 was inactive and toxic while complex 4 showed an unspecific cytostatic effect. Despite a weak leishmanicidal activity, at 25 µM, complex 3 inhibited (85,1 %) the SARS-CoV-2 replication at 2 µM. As complex 4 also showed good antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 (84,7 %), the antiviral activity seems to be related to copper(II)-phenanthroline fragment. This work demonstrates how simple changes in the structure of the ligand affect ligand exchange reactions and, consequently biological activity. It also expands the biological applications of Cu(II) chalcone complexes.

Loss of Pde1 function acts as an evolutionary gateway to penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major human pathogen and rising resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, is a significant threat to global public health. Mutations occurring in the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) can confer high-level penicillin resistance but other poorly understood genetic factors are also important. Here, we combined strictly controlled laboratory experiments and population analyses to identify a new penicillin resistance pathway that is independent of PBP modification. Initial laboratory selection experiments identified high-frequency pde1 mutations conferring S. pneumoniae penicillin resistance. The importance of variation at the pde1 locus was confirmed in natural and clinical populations in an analysis of >7,200 S. pneumoniae genomes. The pde1 mutations identified by these approaches reduce the hydrolytic activity of the Pde1 enzyme in bacterial cells and thereby elevate levels of cyclic-di-adenosine monophosphate and penicillin resistance. Our results reveal rapid de novo loss of function mutations in pde1 as an evolutionary gateway conferring low-level penicillin resistance. This relatively simple genomic change allows cells to persist in populations on an adaptive evolutionary pathway to acquire further genetic changes and high-level penicillin resistance.

First field and laboratory evaluation of LAMP assay for malaria diagnosis in Cubal, Angola

BackgroundMalaria is a globally distributed infectious disease. According to the World Health Organization, Angola is one of the six countries that account for over half the global malaria burden in terms of both malaria cases and deaths. Diagnosis of malaria still depends on microscopic examination of thin and thick blood smears and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), which often lack analytical and clinical sensitivity. Molecular methods could overcome these disadvantages. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time to our knowledge, the performance of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the diagnosis of malaria in an endemic area in Cubal, Angola, and to assess the reproducibility at a reference laboratory.MethodsA total of 200 blood samples from patients attended at Hospital Nossa Senhora da Paz, Cubal, Angola, were analysed for Plasmodium spp. detection by microscopy, RDTs, and LAMP. LAMP assay was easily performed in a portable heating block, and the results were visualized by a simple colour change. Subsequently, the samples were sent to a reference laboratory in Spain to be reanalysed by the same colorimetric LAMP assay and also in real-time LAMP format.ResultsIn field tests, a total of 67/200 (33.5%) blood samples were microscopy-positive for Plasmodium spp., 98/200 RDT positive, and 112/200 (56%) LAMP positive. Using microscopy as reference standard, field LAMP detected more microscopy-positive samples than RDTs (66/67; 98% vs. 62/67; 92.5%). When samples were reanalysed at a reference laboratory in Spain using both colorimetric and real-time assays, the overall reproducibility achieved 84.5%.ConclusionsThis is the first study to our knowledge in which LAMP has been clinically evaluated on blood samples in a resource-poor malaria-endemic area. The colorimetric LAMP proved to be more sensitive than microscopy and RDTs for malaria diagnosis in field conditions. Furthermore, LAMP showed an acceptable level of reproducibility in a reference laboratory. The possibility to use LAMP in a real-time format in a portable device reinforces the reliability of the assay for molecular diagnosis of malaria in resource-poor laboratories in endemic areas.Graphical

Synergistic enhancement of dual-color electrochromic performance in NiO/CdS quantum dots composite film

NiO is an electrochromic material with extremely strong light modulation capability. However, the defects of the material, such as simple color change and poor cycle stability, limit its application in electrochromic devices and require further improvement and optimization. Nickel-based electrochromic films were firstly prepared by simple hydrothermal method and CdS quantum dots sensitization. The composite electrochromic films adsorbed CdS quantum dots show a multifunctional non-electrochromic film with multiple color changes. It shows up to 54.7% optical modulation range and reversible conversion of two colors. We believe that the electrochromic properties of the composite film are improved due to the synergistic effect of the combination of NiO and CdS in the composite film, which can improve the charge transfer dynamics and light modulation efficiency. Compared with NiO, CdS has a higher carrier density, which increases the charge storage capacity in the composite film, which can improve the color development efficiency and improve the electrochromic reaction. The existence of CdS in the composite film improves the structural stability of NiO. CdS acts as a buffer layer to reduce stress and prevent NiO degradation during repeated coloring and bleaching cycles, improving cycle stability and durability of electrochromic devices. This study provides a reference for the development of NiO polychromatic electrochromic materials and extends the range of non-electrochromic materials from metal oxides to sulfides.

Methylation and Demethylation of Emerging Contaminants Changed Bioaccumulation and Acute Toxicity in Daphnia magna.

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in the environment undergo various transformations, leading to the formation of transformation products (TPs) with a modified ecological risk potential. Although the environmental significance of TPs is increasingly recognized, there has been relatively little research to understand the influences of such transformations on subsequent ecotoxicological safety. In this study, we used four pairs of CECs and their methylated or demethylated derivatives as examples to characterize changes in bioaccumulation and acute toxicity in Daphnia magna, as a result of methylation or demethylation. The experimental results were further compared to quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) predictions. The methylated counterpart in each pair generally showed greater acute toxicity in D. magna, which was attributed to their increased hydrophobicity. For example, the LC50 values of methylparaben (34.4 ± 4.3 mg L-1) and its demethylated product (225.6 ± 17.3 mg L-1) differed about eightfold in D. magna. The methylated derivative generally exhibited greater bioaccumulation than the demethylated counterpart. For instance, the bioaccumulation of methylated acetaminophen was about 33-fold greater than that of acetaminophen. In silico predictions via QSARs aligned well with the experimental results and suggested an increased persistence of the methylated forms. The study findings underline the consequences of simple changes in chemical structures induced by transformations such as methylation and demethylation and highlight the need to consider TPs to achieve a more holistic understanding of the environmental fate and risks of CECs.

A holistic approach for using global climate model (GCM) outputs in decision making

All human endeavours are affected by climate change and local weather, and 21st-century climate-change estimates will provide greater challenges. Therefore, numerical model-based climate projections (i.e., General Circulation Models – GCMs) are essential for making decisions about adaptation, mitigation, and resilience building to combat adverse climate impacts. However, these coarser resolution model projections have uncertainties resulting in significant doubts in decision-making, particularly in the local or regional domain. Thus, we suggest five principles for GCM use at local and regional scales to overcome uncertainties in decision-making. This study examines historical and projected precipitation from 44 GCMs, calculated under the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 8.5 scenario considering regional, geographical, and temporal variability for establishing a decision-making support system based on the degree of confidence for nine diverse main river basins in tropical Sri Lanka as a case study. Each GCM confirmed the current climatic pattern in terms of wind vector and meridional wind patterns out of eight climate variables considered. GCM sensitivity varies geographically and temporally. An annual precipitation study is not enough to make climate change judgments because climate change signals change seasonally. Each basin's average annual precipitation was projected to likely increase over the near, middle, and far future (2025–2050, 2050–2075, 2075–2100, respectively); however, in the Mahaweli basin (MB), the largest basin neighboring most of the other basins, the annual precipitation was projected to extremely likely increase. Most of MB's surrounding basins show a more-likely-than-not decreasing precipitation tendency for inter-monsoon-1 in the future (2025–2100); however, MB shows a more-likely-than-not increasing trend. Our analysis shows that the southwest monsoon and inter-monsoon-2 are more likely than not or extremely likely to strengthen, whereas the northeast monsoon (NEM) and inter-monsoon-1 are more likely than not to weaken, excluding NEM in the near future. Here, we introduced a simple color-coded climate change (C4) matrix for decision-making that provides spatial, temporal, and seasonal climate change projections likelihood trends with current observed seasonal trends. Future projections indicate a swapping in seasonal precipitation trends between IM-1 and SWM for almost basins compared to the past. NEM appears to have a weakening influence on the majority of northeast-facing basins during the middle and far future. A simple detailed climate analysis chart may be more effective in communicating scientific messages to the scientific community and the key public actors who make decisions.

Pushing the limits of complete omnidirectional bandgaps in 2D nonsymmorphic single-phase phononic crystals

We expand the limits of complete omnidirectional bandgaps (neither P- nor S-waves can propagate) for high symmetry two-dimensional phononic crystal (PnC) designs. We reveal an extremely large 124% complete omnidirectional bandgap and demonstrate the possibility of creating custom, mechanically robust PnCs with improved characteristics via simple geometric changes to known PnC designs. The findings are experimentally validated, proving that it is feasible to achieve extreme ultrasonic attenuation using the nonsymmorphic p4gm symmetry group design, for both P- and S-waves, which significantly outperforms symmorphic p4mm-group PnC designs. We shed light on the high attenuation properties of the p4gm PnC for S-waves (which is rarely explored experimentally), revealing differences between the mode types. Practical insight into the design of PnCs with improved acoustic properties for potential applications in the field of vibration isolation, most notably when S-wave elimination is vital, is discussed.