What do aid recipients want? Public attitudes toward foreign aid in developing countries

Individuals in developing countries are the ultimate end users of foreign aid. While the international donor community has emphasized the importance of aligning aid with recipient countries' preferences, the literature on public opinion and foreign aid has remained largely focused on donors. Using an original conjoint experiment conducted in seven developing countries, we examine the determinants of public attitudes toward foreign aid in recipient countries. We find that the characteristics of donor countries and foreign aid projects significantly influence recipient attitudes, often more than the size of the aid packages themselves. Individuals in recipient countries consistently prefer aid from democracies and donors with transparent aid agencies, as well as aid delivered by international organizations rather than directly from donor countries' aid agencies. These findings underscore the importance of multilateral aid agencies in aligning the preferences of donors and recipients.N

Longitudinal changes in ocular biometry and their effect on intraocular lens power calculation accuracy in cataract patients

Purpose To investigate the changes in ocular biometry over time and their impact on intraocular lens (IOL) calculation in adult Korean patients with cataracts. Methods Inclusion criteria were patients who underwent two consecutive ocular biometric measurements spaced more than one year apart using the IOLMaster 700 between November 2019 and February 2024 at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea. Longitudinal changes in ocular biometry were evaluated. Predictive errors were compared among patients who underwent cataract surgery using the SRK/T, Kane, Barrett Universal II, Cook K6, EVO, Hill-RBF, Hoffer QST, and Pearl DGS formulas. Results A total of 448 eyes from 448 patients were included. Ocular biometry measured over an average interval of 23.4 months showed that with increasing age, axial length elongated (0.04 +/- 0.10 mm, p < 0.001), and the magnitude of total corneal astigmatism increased (0.04 +/- 0.39 D, p = 0.018). The mean absolute predictive errors of the final measurements were significantly smaller compared to the initial measurements in the Barrett Universal II, EVO, Kane, and Pearl DGS formulas (difference of -0.05 D, -0.05 D, -0.06 D, and - 0.05 D, respectively). In the subgroup of eyes with an axial length of 25 mm or longer, the final measurements showed even greater reduction in mean absolute predictive errors across multiple formulas, including Barrett Universal II, Cook K6, EVO, Hill-RBF, Hoffer QST, Kane, and Pearl DGS, with reductions of -0.11 D, -0.11 D, -0.10 D, -0.08 D, -0.10 D, -0.09 D and - 0.10 D, respectively. Conclusions Axial length increases and corneal curvature changes with aging. IOLMaster 700 ocular biometry results measured closer to the date of surgery were more accurate in IOL power calculation than those measured more than one year earlier, with the greatest improvement observed in myopic eyes. Therefore, it is recommended to repeat IOLMaster 700 biometry before surgery if the previous measurements were taken more than a year ago.Y

Brief Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Women With Myocardial Infarction: Results of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Elevated perceived stress is associated with adverse outcomes following myocardial infarction (MI) and may account for poorer recovery among women vs men. Objectives: This randomized controlled trial tested effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on stress levels among women with MI. Methods: Women with elevated stress (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-4]≥6) at least 2 months after MI were enrolled from 12 hospitals in the United States and Canada and via community advertising. Participants were randomized to a remotely delivered mindfulness intervention (MBCT-Brief) or heart disease education, both 8 weeks long. Follow-up was 6 months. Changes in stress (PSS-10; primary outcome) and secondary outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety, quality of life, disease-specific health status, actigraphy-assessed sleep) were compared between groups. Results: The sample included 130 women with MI (mean age 59.8 ± 12.8 years, 34% racial/ethnic minorities). In intention-to-treat analysis, PSS-10 scores declined in the MBCT-Brief arm (−0.52 [95% CI: −0.77 to −0.28]) but not the heart disease education arm (−0.19 [95% CI: −0.45 to 0.06]; group×time interaction P = 0.070). The effect was stronger in per-protocol analysis of participants who completed ≥4 intervention sessions (P = 0.049). There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes in intention-to-treat or per-protocol analyses. Within the MBCT-Brief arm, more frequent mindfulness practice was associated with greater reductions in stress (P = 0.007), depressive symptoms (P = 0.017), and anxiety (P = 0.036). Conclusions: MBCT-Brief was associated with greater 6-month reductions in stress than an active control among adherent participants. More frequent mindfulness practice was associated with greater improvements in psychological outcomes. Strategies to engage women with MI in mindfulness training and support regular home practice may enhance these effects.Y

Highly durable and energy-efficient probabilistic bits based on h-BN/SnS2 interface for integer factorization

As social networks and related data processes have grown exponentially in complexity, the efficient resolution of combinatorial optimization problems has become increasingly crucial. Recent advancements in probabilistic computing approaches have demonstrated significant potential for addressing these problems more efficiently than conventional deterministic computing methods. In this study, we demonstrate a highly durable probabilistic bit (p-bit) device utilizing two-dimensional materials, specifically hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and tin disulfide (SnS2 ) nanosheets. By leveraging the inherently stochastic nature of electron trapping and detrapping at the h-BN/SnS2 interface, the device achieves durable probabilistic fluctuations over 108 cycles with minimal energy consumption. To mitigate the static power consumption, we integrated an active switch in series with a p-bit device, replacing conventional resistors. Furthermore, employing the pulse width as the control variable for probabilistic switching significantly enhances noise immunity. We demonstrate the practical application of the proposed p-bit device in implementing invertible Boolean logic gates and subsequent integer factorization, highlighting its potential for solving complex combinatorial optimization problems and extending its applicability to real-world scenarios such as cryptographic systems. imageY

An Analysis of Components and Enhancement Strategies for Advancing Memristive Neural Networks

Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and big data have highlighted the limitations of traditional von Neumann architectures, such as excessive power consumption and limited performance improvement with increasing parameter numbers. These challenges are significant for edge devices requiring higher energy and area efficiency. Recently, many reports on memristor-based neural networks (Mem-NN) using resistive switching memory have shown efficient computing performance with a low power requirement. Even further performance optimization can be made using engineering resistive switching mechanisms. Nevertheless, systematic reviews that address the circuit-to-material aspects of Mem-NNs, including their dedicated algorithms, remain limited. This review first categorizes the memristor-based neural networks into three components: pre-processing units, processing units, and learning algorithms. Then, the optimization methods to improve integration and operational reliability are discussed across materials, devices, circuits, and algorithms for each component. Furthermore, the review compares recent advancements in chip-level neuromorphic hardware with conventional systems, including graphic processing units. The ongoing challenges and future directions in the field are discussed, highlighting the research to enhance the functionality and reliability of Mem-NNs.N

Creditor control rights and executive bonus plans

We study the extent to which creditors shape the executive bonus plans of their financially distressed borrowers. Financial distress can exacerbate agency conflicts between creditors and borrowers as concerns with underinvestment become more acute due to managerial myopia and debt overhang. Consequently, we expect creditors to exert their influence to ensure that these managers' incentive-compensation plans encourage longer-term investments and directly reward outcomes that benefit creditors without exposing managers to unnecessary risk. We argue that bonus plans are an especially important way to provide these incentives because their flexibility allows creditors to more precisely target specific investment objectives. We find that borrowers' bonus plans tend to have longer horizons and more convex payouts following covenant violations, especially when bonus plans can be a particularly effective way to address distress-related agency conflicts. Our evidence suggests that creditors protect their interests by exercising their control rights to shape their borrowers' incentive-compensation plans.Y

Room Temperature Quantum Emitters in van der Waals α-MoO3

Quantum emitters in solid-state materials are highly promising building blocks for quantum information processing and communication science. Recently, single-photon emission from van der Waals materials has been reported in transition metal dichalcogenides and hexagonal boron nitride, exhibiting the potential to realize photonic quantum technologies in two-dimensional materials. Here, we report the generation of room temperature single-photon emission from exfoliated and thermally annealed single crystals of van der Waals alpha-MoO3. The second-order correlation function measurement displays clear photon antibunching, while the luminescence intensity exceeds 0.4 Mcts/s and remains stable under laser excitation. The theoretical calculation suggests that an oxygen vacancy defect is a possible candidate for the observed emitters. Together with photostability and brightness, quantum emitters in alpha-MoO3 provide a new avenue to realize photon-based quantum information science in van der Waals materials.Y

Crucial role of polymeric binders in enhancing energy density of supercapacitors

The growing demand for efficient energy storage solutions has driven significant advancements in supercapacitor technology, aimed at overcoming the traditional limitations of low energy density. This article reviews strategies for enhancing the energy density of supercapacitors, focusing on advancements in electrolyte formulations, activated carbon materials, pseudocapacitive materials, and binder technologies. Aqueous, ionic liquid, and organic electrolytes have been optimized to expand voltage windows and improve ionic conductivity, thereby increasing energy storage capacity. The development of high specific surface area carbon materials and the precise tailoring of pore size distributions have been shown to enhance capacitance. Pseudocapacitive materials, including metal oxides and MXenes, have demonstrated the potential for significantly higher energy densities through redox-active mechanisms. Innovations in binder systems, particularly those employing conductive materials like reduced graphene oxide, have further improved electrode performance by enhancing structural integrity and ion transport. A key focus is the role of polymer binders, which are vital for reducing the internal resistance and subsequent heat generation. Research in this area aims to develop binders that minimize resistive losses, improve ion transport efficiency, reduce heat generation and maintain optimal operating temperatures, prevent thermal degradation, and increase energy density. Continuous research into new materials and formulations for polymer binders is essential for advancing supercapacitor technology.N

A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Strategies for Disaster Risk Reduction Education for People With Disabilities

AimsTo identify the components and characteristics of disaster risk reduction education for people with disabilities and to explore the contents and results of disaster risk reduction education.DesignA systematic review and narrative synthesis.Review MethodsThe review was conducted in accordance with Tawfik's guidelines and followed the reporting standards outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis. The quality appraisal was guided by the mixed methods appraisal tool. The contents of each type of education were narratively synthesised.Data SourcesThe literature search was conducted in December 2023 using several electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane library and PsycINFO.ResultsEight quantitative studies were selected for this study. Disaster risk reduction education for people with disabilities has focused mainly on fires and earthquakes, and drills were the most used teaching method. Some of the education was conducted by designating a 1:1 ratio of educators and participants or modifying the ratio according to the type of disability. The staff mainly conducted the education, and after education, the effect of disaster risk reduction education was confirmed in terms of the knowledge and response of people with disabilities during drills.ConclusionThis review provides insights for developing disaster risk reduction education for people with disabilities. However, only a few randomised controlled trial (RCT) studies and quasi-experimental studies have been conducted, and several studies have bias risks. Thus, practical, continuous, quality interventions are needed for effective disaster risk reduction education for people with disabilities.ImpactThis systematic review analysed the research trends of disaster risk reduction education for people with disabilities. The results provide the basis for quality evaluations of the operation, methods and achievements of educational programmes. Efforts are needed to promote collaboration between researcher and the practitioners to conduct further quality research.Patient or Public ContributionNo Patient or Public Contribution: Systematic review.N

Dynamics of molecular heterogeneity in high-risk luminal breast cancer—From intrinsic to adaptive subtyping

We evaluate therapy-induced molecular heterogeneity in longitudinal samples from high-risk, hormone-receptor positive/HER2-negative breast cancer patients with residual tumor after neoadjuvant chemotherapy from the Penelope-B trial (NCT01864746; EudraCT 2013-001040-62). Intrinsic subtypes are prognostic in pre-therapeutic (Tx) samples (n = 629, p < 0.0001) and post-Tx residual tumors (n = 782, p < 0.0001). After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a shift of intrinsic subtypes is observed from pre-Tx luminal (Lum) B to post-Tx LumA, with reverse transition back to LumB in metastases. In a combined analysis of 540 paired pre-Tx and post-Tx samples, we identify five adaptive clusters (AC-1–5) based on transcriptomic changes before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These AC-subtypes are prognostic beyond classical intrinsic subtyping, categorizing patients into groups with excellent prognosis (AC-1 and AC-2), poor prognosis (AC-3 and AC-4), and very poor prognosis (AC-5, enriched for basal-like subtype). Our analysis provides a basis for an extended molecular classification of breast cancer patients and improved identification of high-risk patient populations.N