In Norway, 78% of publicly funded general practitioners (GPs) are self-employed, remunerated through a mix of capitation and fee-for-service, while 22 % are salaried. GPs register consultations and procedures using nationally standardized fees for health services, which allows for variations in earnings. Our study aims to examine whether high and low earning GPs also differ in their earnings per list patient and, if so, identify the specific fees that contribute to this difference. Additionally, we aim to compare practice characteristics between high and low earning GPs. We analyse national registry data from 2021 for all GPs with at least 100 working days (N=2546) and calculate annual earnings from capitation and fees. High earning GPs (upper quartile) have 55% more listed patients than low earning GPs (lower quartile), yet they earn 40% more from fees per patient (average €178 versus €127). Nearly half of the earnings difference per patient can be attributed to high earning GPs more frequently conducting consultations with patients. Still, patients of high earning GPs receive less minutes in consultations yearly (average 35 versus 38 min), due to high earners’ shorter consultation duration (average 15 versus 20 min). The remaining earning difference comes from higher utilization of procedure fees among high earners (average 5.6 versus 3.9 procedures per patient). Prolonged consultation, medication review, and talking therapy are some of the fees that contribute most to this difference. The findings highlight that considerable earning variations are linked to fee utilization and practice styles among GPs.

Objective: To evaluate the affective responses to running with imposed velocity or self-selected time trials in runners, as well as the effects on volume load (VL) and training impulse (TRIMP). Anxiety was also determined. We establish the level of association between the dependent variables. Methods: Three visits were carried out. 1st visit consisted of a maximum running effort test (VO₂Max). 2nd and 3rd visits, participants were divided between the time limit (T_Lim) or time trial 1000m running at self-selected intensity (T₁₀₀₀). Participant responded to felt arousal, feeling and anxiety SUDS scale, before, during and after T_Lim and T₁₀₀₀. Results: T_Lim vs. T₁₀₀₀ (p<0.001), V_Peak x V₁₀₀₀ (p=0.013), showed differences, but did not influence VL_TLim vs. VL₁₀₀₀ (3181.34 ± 872.22 vs. 3570.60 ± 323.3; p=0.062). TRIMP showed no differences (p=0.068). Arousal did not differ between the pre-exercise (p=0.772) and post-exercise (p=0.083) groups, but was different during (p=0.035). There were differences between groups in the pre-exercise (p=0.012), during (p<0.001) and post-exercise (p<0.001) for feeling and anxiety scores. The correlation between TRIMP and affective scores showed association for T_Lim (r=0.46; p=0.043). Conclusion: The self-selected exercise generated positive affective responses, but the same did not occur for the imposed T_Lim. VL and TRIMP presented equality. There was association TRIMP and T_Lim feeling scale. T_Lim significantly increased anxiety scores.

The positive relationship between species richness and area is a fundamental principle in ecology. However, this pattern deviates on small islands, where species richness either changes independently of area or increases at a slower rate—a phenomenon known as the Small-Island Effect (SIE). While the SIE has been well-documented in natural ecosystem, its presence in highly fragmented and disturbed urban ecosystem remains unexplored, posing challenges for urban vegetation conservation. Urban remnant vegetation, isolated by surrounding infrastructures, preserves intact zonal vegetation characteristics, serves as a benchmark for restoring near-natural habitats and offers ideal conditions to test the existence of SIE in human-altered landscapes. In this study, we surveyed 17 remnant vegetation patches in Qingdao City, China. In total of 331 plants attributed to 255 genus in 81 families been recorded. Firstly, by using six species-area relationship regression models tested SIE for remnant vegetation with different life form (i.e. annual herb, perennial herb, shrub and tree), we found SIE detected in only woody plants, with area threshold ranging from 6.38 ha (tree) to 11.91 ha (shrub). According to stepwise and generalized linear regression mode analysis we found SIE detected in only woody plants, with area threshold 6.38 ha for tree and 11.91 ha for shrub. Further analysis revealed that the SIE in shrub was driven by landscape shape index, perimeter-area ratio, and the proportion of sealed surface within patch. For trees, the SIE was influenced by the distance to the source of species, GDP, night light intensity and perimeter-area ratio. This finding justifies that conservation in urban planning, construction and development should focus not only on protecting large areas, but also on maintaining and promoting diverse habitats within these areas. At the same time, reducing anthropogenic disturbance and enhancing the connectivity of green spaces are important for the persistence of metacommunities and can contribute to the local species pool, thus potentially improving the ecological resilience of urban environments.

Dependence on seafood imports is growing for many nations, effectively exporting the environmental and social impacts from consuming nations to producers. While countries have commitments to national regulations and global sustainability targets, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, sustainability standards for imported seafood are lacking. We examine the sustainability implications of high-income countries’ reliance on seafood imports, using Australia as a case study. Australia imports around 60-70% of domestically consumed seafood, with 96.5% imported from 20 countries. Compared to Australia, these countries generally have lower environmental performance, higher vulnerability to slavery, and increased risk of illicit trade in their supply chains. Yet, biophysical limits on wild catch, low demand for underutilized species, social conflict, environmental concerns over aquaculture expansion, and low domestic production, suggest imports will likely remain an important source of seafood for Australian consumers. Other high-income countries in Europe and North America face similar challenges. These countries have a pivotal role in promoting responsible trade. Comprehensive sustainability assessments that integrate environmental and social considerations of production and trade, improved mapping of seafood production activities, and more granular trade data will be critical for informed and effective trade regulations that support sustainability commitments.

ChatGPT, a state-of-the-art AI model created by OpenAI, is renowned for its ability to produce text responses that closely mimic human communication. Recently, it has broadened its scope to encompass multimodal interactions, rendering it particularly advantageous for medical applications. In this paper, we explore into the potential of ChatGPT in the realm of Ultrasound (US) imaging, Our investigation encompasses a series of case studies and examples, each tailored to demonstrate ChatGPT’s application in various aspects of US imaging. These include emphasizing its capacity for intricate analyses, including grayscale texture examination and perfusion metrics in contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Moreover, its involvement in real-time imaging guidance, its role in streamlining workflow efficiencies, and its utility in the simplification of medical report generation to facilitate better patient communication. The case studies, while successful, unveil certain limitations and challenges, prominently featuring concerns regarding privacy and technical constraints. Despite these challenges, the evidence gathered from our examples indicates that ChatGPT's innovative features and its ability to operate across multiple modes significantly enhance the efficiency of quantitative image analysis in US imaging. By improving diagnostic precision and potentially elevating patient care outcomes, ChatGPT marks a significant stride forward in healthcare technology, though it necessitates careful consideration of its associated ethical and technical challenges.

This article presents a radical reassessment of scientific validation processes, arguing that traditional peer review has become an outdated, inefficient, and ultimately flawed mechanism for ensuring research quality. Modern artificial intelligence systems demonstrate superior capabilities in analyzing methodological rigor, statistical validity, and literature comprehensiveness, while being free from human cognitive biases, professional rivalries, and institutional politics. Through examination of empirical evidence, we demonstrate how AI systems consistently outperform human reviewers in speed, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of research evaluation. The current peer review system, characterized by months-long delays, substantial costs, and demonstrable biases, actively impedes scientific progress. We propose a fully automated AI-driven validation framework that can evaluate research in real-time, identify methodological flaws, verify statistical analyses, and assess significance within the broader scientific context. This transformation would democratize research validation, eliminate publication bottlenecks, and accelerate scientific progress while maintaining higher standards of methodological rigor than currently possible under human review.

Introduction: Bladder pain syndrome (BPS)/interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by bothersome symptoms as pain, urgency, urinary incontinence and in some cases urinary retention, impacting a patient’s quality of life. However, also recurrent cystitis could cause a chronic bladder inflammation which can explain discomfort of the bladder and similar symptoms, often referred by younger patients during clinical evaluation. The aetiology of IC/BPS is still unknown, and it may be multifactorial. Although a definitive treatment is not available, the challenge is finding new therapeutic strategies. Different intravesical treatments such as heparin, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, pentosan polysulfate, dimethylsulfoxide, liposomes, and botulinum onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT‐A) are commonly proposed for BPS/IC. The aim of study was to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effects of intravesical Vessilen® (a new formulation of 2% adelmidrol (the diethanolamide derivative of azelaic acid) + 0.1% sodium hyaluronate) administration in patients affected by IC/BPS or other bladder disorders. Methods: This was a prospective observational study. At baseline and after the treatment, validated questionnaires were administered to the patients: the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Modules (ICIQ‐FLUTS Long Form). The subjective perception of the severity of symptoms was investigated by the Patient global impression scale (PGIs). Results: Based on 25 patients who completed the cycle of weekly instillation for six weeks, we observed a significant decrease in the severity of bladder symptoms according to both ICIQ‐FLUTS scale (89.3 vs 61.3; p=0.021) and VAS score (4.4 vs 2.6; p<0.001). Moreover, according to PGI‐I, 80% of patients observed an improvement in symptoms (PGI‐I score ≤ 3). Conclusion: Intravesical administration of adelmidrol combined with sodium hyaluronate (Vessilen®) could be an innovative therapeutic approach for patient complaining interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) or other chronic inflammatory bladder disorders, due to its well‐known anti‐inflammatory and antinociceptive properties.Introduction: Bladder pain syndrome (BPS)/interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by bothersome symptoms as pain, urgency, urinary incontinence and in some cases urinary retention, impacting a patient’s quality of life. However, also recurrent cystitis could cause a chronic bladder inflammation which can explain discomfort of the bladder and similar symptoms, often referred by younger patients during clinical evaluation. The aetiology of IC/BPS is still unknown, and it may be multifactorial. Although a definitive treatment is not available, the challenge is finding new therapeutic strategies. Different intravesical treatments such as heparin, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, pentosan polysulfate, dimethylsulfoxide, liposomes, and botulinum onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT‐A) are commonly proposed for BPS/IC. The aim of study was to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effects of intravesical Vessilen® (a new formulation of 2% adelmidrol (the diethanolamide derivative of azelaic acid) + 0.1% sodium hyaluronate) administration in patients affected by IC/BPS or other bladder disorders. Methods: This was a prospective observational study. At baseline and after the treatment, validated questionnaires were administered to the patients: the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Modules (ICIQ‐FLUTS Long Form). The subjective perception of the severity of symptoms was investigated by the Patient global impression scale (PGIs). Results: Based on 25 patients who completed the cycle of weekly instillation for six weeks, we observed a significant decrease in the severity of bladder symptoms according to both ICIQ‐FLUTS scale (89.3 vs 61.3; p=0.021) and VAS score (4.4 vs 2.6; p<0.001). Moreover, according to PGI‐I, 80% of patients observed an improvement in symptoms (PGI‐I score ≤ 3). Conclusion: Intravesical administration of adelmidrol combined with sodium hyaluronate (Vessilen®) could be an innovative therapeutic approach for patient complaining interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) or other chronic inflammatory bladder disorders, due to its well‐known anti‐inflammatory and antinociceptive properties.

In an era of unprecedented global challenges, the limitations of traditional, linear models of innovation have become increasingly apparent. This pioneering work introduces the revolutionary "decuple helix" framework - a comprehensive, multistakeholder approach to driving transformative change through collaborative innovation. By expanding the scope of stakeholder engagement to include a diverse array of actors, from academia and industry to marginalized communities, the natural environment, and international organizations, the decuple helix model unlocks new frontiers of collective creativity, values-driven problem-solving, and systemic regeneration. Drawing on cutting-edge theoretical foundations and a wealth of empirical evidence, this groundbreaking contribution demonstrates how the strategic integration of these ten key stakeholders can catalyze a profound paradigm shift in the way we conceptualize, organize, and mobilize innovation to address the complex, interconnected crises facing our world. Challenging dominant narratives of technocratic, top-down innovation, this article unveils a radically reimagined vision - one in which diverse epistemologies, holistic well-being, and ecological restoration converge to unlock a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

This paper explores the relationships between differential topology and general relativity, examining the classical framework's applicability in modelling gravitational fields and the limits encountered with topological defects such as cosmic strings. By illustrating smooth metric structures, holonomy, and geodesic completeness, we reveal the foundational role of differential topology in describing spacetime curvature without quantum corrections. The Einstein field equations and global topological invariants are discussed in contexts where continuous manifolds hold, while highlighting how phenomena like cosmic strings challenge these assumptions. We propose that such topological defects introduce singular behaviours where traditional differential topology reaches its boundaries, potentially necessitating quantum gravitational models for a complete description. Visualizations of Schwarzschild curvature, holonomy in spherical surfaces, and geodesic paths provide insights into gravitational field variability and topological constraints in classical models, underscoring the mathematical and physical principles at play.This paper explores the relationships between differential topology and general relativity, examining the classical framework's applicability in modelling gravitational fields and the limits encountered with topological defects such as cosmic strings. By illustrating smooth metric structures, holonomy, and geodesic completeness, we reveal the foundational role of differential topology in describing spacetime curvature without quantum corrections. The Einstein field equations and global topological invariants are discussed in contexts where continuous manifolds hold, while highlighting how phenomena like cosmic strings challenge these assumptions. We propose that such topological defects introduce singular behaviours where traditional differential topology reaches its boundaries, potentially necessitating quantum gravitational models for a complete description. Visualizations of Schwarzschild curvature, holonomy in spherical surfaces, and geodesic paths provide insights into gravitational field variability and topological constraints in classical models, underscoring the mathematical and physical principles at play.

There is growing interest in understanding the connection between concussions on physical and mental health acutely and, in retirement, on neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we utilised a “high-impact trauma” (HIT) device to investigate the effects of multiple concussions on the motor activity, and lifespan of the adult female Drosophila melanogaster as well as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels in the fly brain and body. We found that repetitive hits, while not having acute physical effects, significantly increased long-term mobility deficits, and shortened lifespan, and exacerbated oxidative stress in both the brain and body. Notably, the novel CONKA product (Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, Melissa officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium myrtillus) demonstrated promising protective effects, including mitigation of motor deficits, extension of lifespan, and reduction of oxidative stress in both the brain and body of the flies. When evaluating the contributions of individual components within the CONKA formulation, Curcuma longa, despite extending lifespan, did not contribute to mobility improvement or oxidative stress amelioration. This suggests that the benefits of CONKA are largely driven by its other four components, which displayed all the positive effects evaluated. The exclusion of Curcuma longa may streamline the formulation without diminishing its brain and body effects following a history of repetitive concussions, although this would require further study to confirm. Oral bioavailability may be an issue with Curcuma longa. Taken together, the findings validate that Drosophila melanogaster is a suitable system to mimic and investigate the effects of repetitive concussions on bodies and brains and assess the effects of health products and drug therapies.

TikTok has rapidly become one of the most popular social media platforms, and, thus, scholars should pay attention to its association with users’ mental health. Our aim was to synthesize and evaluate the association between problematic TikTok use and mental health. We applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines in our review. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024582054). We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ProQuest, and CINAHL until September 02, 2024. We identified 16 studies with 15,821 individuals. All studies were cross-sectional and were conducted after 2019. Our meta-analysis showed a statistically significant positive association between TikTok use and depression (β = 0.321, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.261 to 0.381, p &lt; 0.001), and anxiety (β = 0.406, 95% CI: 0.279 to 0.533, p &lt; 0.001). Also, we found a positive association between TikTok use and body image issues, poor sleep, anger, distress intolerance, narcissism, and stress. Our findings suggest that problematic TikTok use has a negative impact on several mental health issues. Given the high levels of TikTok use especially among young adults, our findings are essential to further enhance our understanding of the impact of TikTok use on mental health. Finally, there is a need for further studies of better quality to assess the impact of problematic TikTok use on mental health in a more valid way.

Brazil harbors one of the world’s richest amphibian faunas, with over 1,000 described species exhibiting remarkable morphological diversity. This review synthesizes current knowledge of amphibian morphological variation across Brazilian biomes, analyzing patterns of phenotypic diversity in relation to habitat type, life history strategies, and phylogenetic relationships. Our analysis reveals distinct morphological adaptations associated with specific microhabitats within major biomes, from the arboreal specialists of the Atlantic Forest to the fossorial species of the Cerrado. We identify several morphological convergence patterns among distantly related taxa occupying similar ecological niches, particularly in traits related to locomotion and reproductive modes. The study highlights previously undocumented morphological variations in several species complexes and describes novel anatomical features in recently discovered taxa. These findings contribute to our understanding of amphibian evolution in megadiverse tropical regions and have important implications for conservation strategies targeting morphologically unique populations.