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It was a cold winter morning. The air was wrapped in a silver mist, and the sky glowed faintly with the pale light of dawn. On the highest branch of a banyan tree, a tiny bird had built her nest—a fragile home of straw, leaves, and love. Inside, four little chicks slept closely together, their eyes half-open, their bodies trembling with the chill. The mother bird spread her soft wings over them, whispering warmth and comfort.

Classical energy efficiency metrics systematically overestimate real-world performance because they model energy conversion as a single-stage process and implicitly neglect irreversible thermodynamic degradation. Across biological metabolism, electric transportation, information systems, and spaceflight, observed system-level outputs consistently fall far below what component-level efficiencies would predict. These discrepancies are most evident in advanced electric vehicles and reusable launch systems, where increases in battery capacity, power, or thrust do not yield proportional gains in driving range or payload mass. This paper introduces a Unified Energy Survival–Conversion Law that reformulates useful output as a survival-limited, multi-stage process governed by irreversible thermodynamics and finite conversion capacity. An energy survival factor (Ψ) is defined to quantify the fraction of absorbed energy that persists against transport losses and entropy generation. When coupled with an internal conversion competency term (C_int), the framework yields a universal performance relation: E_"useful" =E_"in" ⋅Ψ⋅C_"int" The law is validated against empirical data from biological ecosystems, electric vehicles, and reusable launch systems. Case studies involving Tesla and SpaceX demonstrate that performance saturation arises from survival degradation and bounded conversion capacity rather than inefficient motors or engines. The framework is thermodynamically consistent, experimentally falsifiable, and independent of energy source or system scale, offering a unified physical basis for diagnosing performance limits and guiding system-level optimization.

Classical energy efficiency metrics systematically overestimate real-world system performance because they implicitly treat energy conversion as a single-stage process and neglect irreversible thermodynamic degradation. Across biological systems, terrestrial energy technologies, communication networks, and space systems, observed operational outputs fall far below laboratory or nameplate efficiencies. This discrepancy is especially pronounced in spacecraft and satellites, where fixed power budgets, radiative-only heat rejection, and strict thermal envelopes expose fundamental thermodynamic constraints. This paper introduces a Unified Energy Survival–Conversion Law that reformulates useful energy and information production as a survival-limited, multi-stage process governed by irreversible thermodynamics and reaction–transport constraints. An energy survival factor (Ψ) is defined to quantify the persistence of absorbed energy against transport losses and irreversible entropy generation. Coupled with an internal conversion competency term derived from the Life-CAES reaction–transport framework, the resulting law E_"useful" =E_"in" ⋅Ψ⋅C_"int" provides a universal upper bound on useful output. Validation using independently reported data shows strong agreement with observed limits in photosynthetic ecosystems (≈1–3%), photovoltaic systems (≈15–20%), data centers (heat-dominated regimes), mobile communication networks (throughput saturation), and spacecraft subsystems (duty-cycle-limited operation). The framework explains why increasing power supply alone frequently yields diminishing or negative returns in space missions and establishes energy survival—rather than efficiency or power availability—as the governing constraint on sustainable mission performance.

Science advances not because reality changes, but because humanity’s instruments, theoretical frameworks, and willingness to question assumptions evolve. Throughout scientific history, ideas once dismissed as impossible—heliocentrism, continental drift, deep-sea ecosystems, and subsurface microbial life—were later validated as observational tools and conceptual models improved. This recurring pattern highlights a fundamental principle: absence of detection is not evidence of absence, but often a reflection of instrumental limitation. This paper proposes a testable scientific hypothesis that challenges the surface-centric paradigm of astrobiology: if life exists beyond Earth, it may reside within planetary interiors rather than on exposed surfaces. Gas giants and terrestrial planets alike exhibit extreme surface conditions—radiation, pressure, and thermal instability—that are hostile to complex life. However, internal planetary environments may offer comparatively stable regimes governed by pressure balance, thermal gradients, magnetic dynamics, and internal energy redistribution. The hypothesis does not assert proof, but invites scientific scrutiny. Planetary interiors remain among the least explored domains in modern science, not due to falsification, but because of technological constraints. As with prior scientific revolutions, today’s speculative questions may become tomorrow’s measurable realities. The boundaries of science, therefore, should be understood not as limits of reality, but as temporary limits of measurement.

ZnSnO3 is a promising ternary oxide semiconductor owing to its favorable structural, electrical, and optoelectronic properties. In this work, ZnSnO3 samples were synthesized using a simple and cost-effective technique and characterized through thermoelectric power (TEP), electrical, and photosensing studies. Thermoelectric power measurements revealed a positive Seebeck coefficient, indicating p-type conductivity and dominant hole transport. Electrical studies showed temperature-dependent conductivity, confirming the semiconducting behavior of ZnSnO3. Photosensing measurements under ultraviolet (UV) illumination demonstrated a significant enhancement in photocurrent compared to dark current, along with stable and repeatable photoresponse. The observed photosensingbehavior is attributed to efficient generation of charge carriers and surface-related trapping mechanisms under light illumination. The combined results highlight the potential of ZnSnO₃ for applications in photodetectors and optoelectronic devices.

Financial literacy is an important factor in improving the performance of entrepreneurs and economic empowerment, especially among women entrepreneurs. Despite the various policies and financial inclusion initiatives in India, women entrepreneurs are still struggling due to a lack of financial literacy and access to financial services. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the level of financial literacy among women entrepreneurs in Nashik district, Maharashtra State, and to test the relationship between financial literacy and some selected socio-economic variables and business performance. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical research approach. The primary data were collected from women entrepreneurs running micro and small businesses in Nashik district using a structured questionnaire. Financial literacy was measured by a composite scale including budgeting, savings, credit, insurance, investment, and digital financial services. The data analysis was done by using statistical methods such as percentage analysis, mean scores, and correlation analysis. The results show that the average financial literacy score of the respondents was 3.12 on a five-point scale, which is a moderate level of financial literacy. While 78% of the respondents showed familiarity with basic savings concepts, only 32% were familiar with insurance products, and 21% had used government financial services. A positive correlation (r = 0.62) was found between financial literacy and business performance, which indicates that higher financial literacy is associated with better income levels and financial decision-making. Education and business experience were identified as significant factors in determining the levels of financial literacy.

The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its associated protocols like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, represents the preeminent global forum for addressing the existential threat of climate change. As a rapidly developing nation with a monumental population and significant energy demands, India occupies a significant position within these negotiations. This paper examines India's multifaceted engagement with the COP process, analysing its evolving policy stances, contributions, challenges, and the inherent tensions between its developmental aspirations and its commitment to international environmental protection. It is described India's historical participation, its key negotiating positions on issues such as emissions reduction, climate finance, technology transfer, and adaptation, and its domestic policy responses that underpin its international commitments. It also scrutinizes the complexities of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) in the context of India's unique circumstances, alongside the pressures exerted by developed nations and the opportunities presented by renewable energy transitions. By exploring these dynamics, this research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of India's crucial role in shaping the trajectory of global climate action.

Dikes form in close association with pluton emplacement and faulting. Dike ages and orientations are therefore crucial for understanding the regional tectonic evolution and paleostress fields. We discovered aplite dikes intruding the Yoshioka Granite, which are both covered by Pliocene volcanic rocks, near the Shikano Fault, the source of the 1943 Tottori earthquake (Mw 7.0). The dikes are subparallel to the Shikano Fault. U–Pb dating of idiomorphic and hypautomorphic zircon grains in the dike yielded an age of 33.5±0.24 Ma (95% confidence). Considering the previously reported biotite K–Ar age of the Yoshioka Granite (~34 Ma), the aplite dikes likely intruded soon after emplacement of the pluton. Based on the results, we infer that the magma of the Yoshioka Granite took 1–2 Myr to cool to 350–400°C. Our result may provide chronological constraint on the origin of the Shikano Fault.

Seizure forecasting using e-diaries may help patients with seizures to organize their daily life. Until now, most methods were not rigorously tested against a strict standard. This study aims to assess whether the performance of various models for seizure forecasting using e-diaries is better than the performance of a moving window average (a.k.a. the Napkin method, due to simplicity of calculation). We analyzed three cohorts from Seizure Tracker: a retrospective study and two prospective studies. E-diaries and the type of seizures were extracted from the datasets. We implemented five machine learning models (Perceptron, 1D-convolution, Multilayer Perceptron, Cycle, point-process generalized linear model) and compared their performance at seizure forecasting against the Napkin forecast. The models predicted the probability of having at least one seizure in the next 24-h period based on a 90-day historical window. Model performances were evaluated by commonly used metrics (area under the precision-recall curve, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and Brier score). We considered a model to be clinically ineffective if it did not outperform the Napkin method across metrics and seizure frequencies. A total of 5501 retrospective patients (3300 training, 1100 validation, and 1101 testing) and 36 prospective patients (21 from one cohort, 15 from the other) were included in the analysis. No model achieved significantly better performance than the Napkin method across metrics and frequencies. Clinically effective seizure forecasting (i.e., beyond the Napkin method) for 24-h risk using e-diaries alone may be infeasible with currently available techniques.

Importance:Medication adherence is widely emphasized in epilepsy management, with a belief that missing even single doses can trigger seizures. However, scientific evidence supporting this specific claim is limited, particularly regarding the impact of occasional missed doses rather than prolonged non-adherence.Objective:To determine whether missing individual doses of anti-seizure medications (ASMs) increases short-term seizure risk in people with drug-resistant epilepsy.Design:Prospective cohort study conducted over 10 months for each participant, with data collected from March 2022 through January 2023. Analysis was performed in February 2023.Setting:Community-based study with participants recruited via emails and online services.Participants:Adults with drug-resistant epilepsy experiencing 3 or more seizures per month, or adult caregivers of pediatric patients meeting these criteria. Participants used mobile applications to document both seizure occurrences and medication adherence.Exposure:Daily documentation of ASM doses, with missed doses categorized as 0 (no missed doses), 1 (one missed administration period), or 2 (two missed administration periods) per day.Main Outcomes and Measures:27 participants (median age 29) were followed. The relationship between seizure occurrence and missed ASM doses was assessed using mixed-effects logistic regression models, controlling for baseline seizure risk using a 90-day moving average (the "Napkin method"). Various time windows for missed doses and analyses accounting for medication half-lives were examined.Results:The Napkin method for seizure risk was significantly related to seizure occurrence (p<0.001). However, missed ASM doses the day prior showed no significant relationship with seizure occurrence (p = 0.68). This lack of association persisted when examining longer time windows of missed doses and when accounting for medication half-lives. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the statistical approach could detect even small effects (5% increased seizure probability) of missed medication, confirming that the negative finding was less likely due to methodology.Conclusions and Relevance:While long-term medication non-adherence remains an important concern in epilepsy management, this study found no evidence that occasionally missing ASM doses significantly increases short-term seizure risk. These findings suggest that clinicians might reasonably reassure patients that infrequent missed doses may not dramatically impact immediate seizure likelihood, though consistent medication adherence should still be encouraged.