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How universities can use social media for student acquisition
Full text linkHigher education institutions face increasing pressure to promote their complex services in competitive global markets, yet they lack evidence-based insights into effective marketing communication strategies. Drawing on signaling theory, the current research examines how universities’ social media content influences student acquisition. Based on interviews with university social media managers, text analyses of more than 1 million tweets from 94 U.K. universities, and two experiments, we outline how universities’ communication content and style choices drive student acquisition. Rather than content focused on the service environment or outcome quality, the study findings indicate that content pertaining to interaction quality has the strongest positive effect on acquisition. Stylistically, an emotional tone enhances the impact of such content, but a cognitive tone is more effective for content about outcome quality; the tone has no significant effect on content about the service environment. Furthermore, external signals offered by third-party rankings moderate these effects: Highly ranked institutions benefit most when they signal environment quality, whereas lower-ranked institutions benefit from emphasizing interaction quality. With such strategic guidance, universities can align their social media content and style and third-party quality signals to optimize student acquisition
Geopolitics at Home: Conflict, Civic Trust, and the Dynamics of Minority Religious Expression in Europe
Full text linkThis article examines religious identity among Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities across four European nations. Survey data from 3,025 respondents reveal that societal threat heightens religiosity for minorities, although conditionally. Jewish respondents show increased religiosity linked to international conflict, whereas civic trust buffers this reaction among Muslims. These findings suggest religious intensification reflects social contexts rather than theological attributes. Consequently, cultivating civic trust is essential for social cohesion and mitigating defensive identification. The data demonstrate that local institutional relationships remain the primary determinants of minority identity expression within the secular state, offering a vital framework for policymakers addressing communal tensions
Examining social and family contextual differences between parental feeding practice profiles in UK parents of pre-school children
Full text linkPrior research has utilised person-centred approaches to identify parent feeding profiles distinguished by controlling and structure-based practices, but less research has examined autonomy support-based practices, or how social and family contextual factors differ between feeding profiles. This study aimed to identify profiles of parents with similar patterns of feeding practices and to examine whether profiles differ on family contextual factors. In 2022, 989 UK parents of children aged 3-6 years (M = 4.1 years) completed an online survey, which included the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ), measuring parental feeding practices, and validated questionnaires capturing family contextual variables. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was conducted to identify parent feeding profiles using the CFPQ. A MANCOVA assessed differences in family contextual variables between profiles. LPA identified three profiles based on common model fit indices and theoretical considerations. Profile 1 ‘moderate control’ (25.2%) showed moderate use of controlling practices and low use of structure-based and autonomy support-based practices. Profile 2 ‘structured and supportive’ (29.6%) showed low use of controlling practices and high use of structure-based and autonomy support-based practices. Profile 3 ‘using everything’ (45.2%) showed high use of all three types of feeding practices. Parents in the ‘moderate control’ profile had significantly lower parental wellbeing and reported more barriers of time and energy for meal planning compared to other profiles. In contrast, parents in the ‘structured and supportive’ profile had significantly lower household chaos and lower parental stress. Mothers had a higher proportion of membership to the ‘structured and supportive’ profile (33.9%) compared to other profiles, whereas fathers had a higher membership proportion to the ‘using everything’ profile (60.9%). Future interventions should be tailored to parent feeding practice profiles and associated family contextual factors
Astrocyte Enrichment of 3D Cortical Constructs Enhances Brain Repair
Full text linkRegenerative medicine offers a promising approach to treat brain injuries, yet challenges persist in promoting neuronal survival and integration. Recent studies demonstrate that human cells implanted into rodent brains can exhibit plasticity, integrate into neural circuits and alleviate functional deficits. However, integration is often poor, with inadequate vascularization, and insufficient support cells such as astrocytes. Astrocytes play a crucial role in neuronal development and recovery by releasing growth factors, facilitating synaptogenesis, and promoting blood vessel formation. This study investigated human neuronal progenitor cells cultured alone or cultured with mouse astrocytes and formed into 3D constructs using microfluidics. Co-cultures exhibited enhanced neuronal maturation, viability, and density. Following implantation into mouse brains, co-cultures reduced lesion size, increased axonal growth, and improved astrocyte coupling to blood vessels within the graft. Additionally, we show that NPCs and co-cultures increased astrocyte size in implants. Deconvolved high-resolution microscopy identified synapses and optogenetics showed functional connections between the host and implants. These findings underscore the essential role of astrocytes in enhancing neuronal tissue integration and advancing brain injury treatments. [Abstract copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.
Understanding the factors influencing quality of life among survivors of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma after completing primary treatment: a systematic review
Full text linkPurpose: To evaluate and synthesize the existing evidence on factors influencing the quality of life (QoL) of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) survivors and the impact of these factors on their QoL. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, with searches in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies published between 2014 and 2025 were included if they were original English-language research involving adult (age ≥ 18 years) NHL survivors and focused on factors affecting QoL. Exclusion criteria encompassed animal studies and nonoriginal research. Data synthesis and quality assessment utilized the convergent integrated analysis framework from the Joanna Briggs Institute to identify key themes across studies. Results: Nineteen studies (n = 8322) were included, revealing nine key themes: (1) personal characteristics (e.g., age and gender); (2) clinical characteristics (e.g., time since diagnosis and comorbidities); (3) physical concerns (e.g., fatigue and symptom burden); (4) psychological concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression, and PTG); (5) lifestyle factors (e.g., diet and exercise); (6) sexual health (e.g., satisfaction and erectile dysfunction); (7) economic status (e.g., employment and financial strain); (8) supporting systems (e.g., unmet needs), and (9) area of residence (e.g., rural residence). Conclusions: This review highlights the multifactorial influences on QoL in NHL survivors, emphasizing the need for integrated survivorship care that addresses physical, psychological, and social dimensions to improve long-term outcomes. Healthcare providers should prioritize individualized care plans addressing both physical and psychosocial challenges, with digital health interventions, especially for rural populations, to enhance QoL outcomes
Pharmacological Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes: Future Approaches
Full text linkDespite the availability of at least nine differently acting classes of glucose-lowering agents, many people with type 2 diabetes do not achieve or maintain sufficiently tight glycaemic control to avoid the complications of chronic hyperglycaemia. This narrative review examines the prospects for future non-insulin agents and therapeutic approaches in early development that aim to improve glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes. Such therapies will ideally enhance glucose lowering through existing mechanisms or by targeting different aspects of disease pathophysiology. They will avoid overt hypoglycaemia and facilitate weight control and be convenient to use, have minimal adverse effects, provide benefits against common comorbidities and have a commendable overall safety profile. Particularly promising therapies in development are the co-agonist and multi-agonist incretin-based and amylin-based synthetic peptides that improve glycaemic control and body weight regulation. Initial studies suggest that such therapies can improve insulin secretion, assist pancreatic beta cell preservation and enhance insulin-mediated glucose metabolism while reducing glucagon secretion and risk of fatty liver disease. Antibodies and small molecules that interact with incretin targets are also being developed, as well as agents to modulate mitochondrial function, fatty acid receptors and receptors for selected gastrointestinal and adipocyte peptides that affect appetite or pathways of nutrient metabolism. Multiomics, miRNAs, gene-editing technologies and epigenetic targets have received considerable attention but have yet to deliver usable therapies. Directing therapeutic agents to specific organs or tissues and avoiding unwanted off-target effects continue to challenge the application of laboratory innovations into viable clinical agents. However, recent successes with weight-lowering incretin-based medicines have raised expectations for pharmaceutical pipelines to transform the management of type 2 diabetes
Paramagnetic Rim Lesions in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis and Their Association With Brain Tissue Atrophy
Full text linkBackground and objectives Paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs), visible on susceptibility-based imaging (SbI), reflect chronic active inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS). In adult-onset MS, PRLs are associated with a more aggressive disease course.The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of PRLs in children with MS and to examine how baseline PRL count relates to clinical disability and brain tissue volume loss, both cross-sectionally and over short-term follow-up.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed pediatric patients from 4 UK tertiary neuroimmunology centers who met the 2017 McDonald diagnostic criteria and had 3D T1-weighted, T2-weighted, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, and SbI MRI available. PRLs were identified per North American Imaging in MS criteria and anatomically classified. Brain volumes were segmented using Mindglide, with z-scores derived from NIH normative data. Associations between baseline PRL burden, clinical variables, and brain volumes were assessed using univariable and multivariable stepwise regression. Linear mixed-effects models evaluated the predictive value of baseline PRL burden on longitudinal brain volume changes.ResultsFifty-four patients (mean age 14.0 ± 2.2 years; 75.9% female) were included. At least 1 PRL was seen in 74.1% of patients, with a median number of 2 PRLs (interquartile range [IQR] = 0-6), predominantly in periventricular regions, and accounting for 25% of total T2-weighted hyperintense lesions. In multivariable Poisson regression, at baseline, shorter disease duration (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.987, 95% CI 0.975-0.999, p = 0.035), and greater number (IRR 1.045, 95% CI 1.035-1.054, p < 0.001) and volume (IRR 1.018, 95% CI 1.004-1.032, p = 0.012) of T2-hyperintense lesions were associated with higher PRL count. Cross-sectionally, a higher PRL count was associated with lower cortical (β = -0.139, 95% CI -0.231 to -0.047, p = 0.016) and deep (β = -0.096, 95% CI -0.166 to -0.026, p = 0.032) gray matter volume z-scores. No significant association was observed between clinical disability and PRL count. In 45 patients followed up for a median 17 months (IQR 12-24), a higher baseline PRL count predicted greater deep gray matter volume loss over time (β = -0.020, 95% CI -0.034 to -0.006, p = 0.036).DiscussionPRLs are common in pediatric MS and are linked to greater lesion burden and gray matter atrophy. These findings suggest that PRLs are promising imaging biomarkers of more severe brain tissue damage although their ability to predict future disability requires confirmation in longer term studies
EvoNFuzz: A New Evolutionary Neuro-Fuzzy Network with Genetic Programming-Based Learning
No full textThis paper presents EvoNFuzz, a novel Evolutionary Neuro-Fuzzy Network that integrates functional fuzzy rules with a hybrid learning approach combining Multi-Gene Genetic Programming (MGGP) and gradient-based optimization. Unlike traditional Takagi-Sugeno models, EvoNFuzz employs polynomial-based consequents, evolved via MGGP, to more effectively capture complex non-linear relationships in data. Additionally, EvoNFuzz incorporates rule weights akin to those in neural networks, allowing it to assign varying degrees of importance to each fuzzy rule. The membership functions are determined using the K-Means clustering algorithm. A Gradient-based learning algorithm adjusts the rule weights and the membership functions. The performance of EvoNFuzz is rigorously tested against alternative models on non-linear regression tasks. The computational results demonstrate that EvoNFuzz consistently outperforms or matches the performance of alternative models
Injectable pH- and Temperature-Responsive Hydrogels for Scaffold Applications in Tissue Engineering
No full textInjectable hydrogels offer promising alternatives for scaffold-based tissue engineering due to their minimally invasive delivery and in situ forming capability. In this study, we reported the first development of an injectable hydrogel scaffold combining carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) into a single system. This novel approach integrated the biocompatibility of CMC, tunable responsiveness of PEG, and mechanical robustness/degradability of PCL, which had not been previously reported. A pH- and temperature-responsive carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) grafted with a methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) [CMC-g-(mPEG-b-PCL)] system was synthesized. The diblock copolymers were first prepared by ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone using a poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (mPEG) in combination with a stannous octoate initiator, followed by grafting onto the pH-responsive CMC backbone using simple 1-ethyl-3-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl carbodiimide)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS) coupling chemistry in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Structural characterization by 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of characteristic functional groups from both CMC and mPEG-b-PCL. Aqueous CMC-g-(mPEG-b-PCL) hydrogels were subsequently formulated, with 32 wt % CMC-g-(mPEG17-b-PCL12) showing the most favorable sol–gel phase-transition behavior based on the test tube inversion. Rheological analysis demonstrated that the hydrogel remained injectable in the sol state and formed a stable gel under physiological conditions, with the range of storage moduli comparable to that of early stage cartilage tissue. In addition, the hydrogel exhibited an interconnected porous structure, as observed by scanning electron microscopy. Cytocompatibility was validated through MTT and live/dead staining assays using L929 fibroblasts and MG63 osteoblast-like cells. The results showed that the cell morphology was preserved, and the cell viability was stable throughout 5 days of incubation. These findings support the cytocompatibility of the synthesized CMC-g-(mPEG-b-PCL) graft copolymer and suggest its potential for further investigation as an injectable hydrogel scaffold for bone and cartilage tissue engineering applications
FR-LLM: Multi-task large language model with signal-to-text encoding and adaptive optimization for joint fault diagnosis and RUL prediction
No full textFault diagnosis and remaining useful life prediction are crucial for ensuring the reliability and safety of rotating machinery, yet most existing methods address them separately, limiting adaptability. We propose FR-LLM, a unified multi-task large language model that jointly performs both tasks within a single framework. Raw vibration signals are transformed into structured textual prompts through signal-to-text encoding, where frequency-domain features support fault diagnosis and multi-domain statistical features with empirical mode decomposition capture degradation for life prediction. An adaptive Convergence Balancer dynamically adjusts task-specific loss weights to mitigate conflicts in multi-task optimization, while a low-rank adaptation strategy reduces computational demands. Experiments on the XJTU-SY and IMS bearing datasets show that FR-LLM consistently outperforms single-task approaches and existing language model baselines in accuracy, generalization, and efficiency. Ablation studies further highlight the contributions of the Convergence Balancer and low-rank adaptation to robustness and stability. These results demonstrate that FR-LLM offers a practical and interpretable solution for predictive maintenance, advancing the application of large language models in industrial prognostics
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