Royal Society

Domestic cat containment has become an increasing focus of companion animal management in Australia, yet uptake among caregivers who allow their cats to roam remains limited. This study explored how caregivers with established outdoor routines but no strong opposition to containment perceive their cats, interpret risk, and respond to different campaign framings. Four online focus groups were conducted in New South Wales with 22 cat caregivers who allowed their cats outdoor access. Thematic analysis indicated that containment decisions, as interpreted through the analytic process, were shaped by how cats were acquired, prior outdoor experience, beliefs about how cats exercise agency, and beliefs about what factors contribute to feline welfare. Caregivers frequently minimised risk and believed their cats could manage themselves outdoors, reinforcing resistance to change. Reactions to the two tested campaign concepts indicated that messages perceived as moralising or fear-based elicited guilt and avoidance. In contrast, caregivers preferred solution-focused messages showing how cats could thrive safely at home. The findings suggest that once roaming behaviours are established, emotional and habitual barriers make voluntary change difficult. Effective interventions should combine motivational framing with clear, achievable actions and target owners at early decision points, particularly adoption, when new habits and expectations about cat management are more readily established.

This review examines the evidence linking air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), to aortic diseases such as atherosclerosis, aneurysms, and dissections. Air pollution is a significant environmental risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and understanding its impact on the aorta is crucial for developing prevention strategies. We performed a comprehensive literature search of PubMed for articles published between December 2007 and May 2024, including in vivo, in vitro, and clinical studies that investigate the effects of air pollution on aortic pathophysiology. Findings indicate that exposure to PM2.5 and diesel exhaust particles accelerates aortic atherosclerosis, aneurysm formation, and dissection through mechanisms involving oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular remodelling, with heightened effects in genetically predisposed models and high-fat diets. In vitro studies reveal that particles can cause cytotoxicity in human aortic endothelial cells, characterized by reduced nitric oxide production and cellular damage. Clinical data are mixed but suggest associations between air pollution and increased aortic calcification, arterial stiffness, and altered hemodynamics. Overall, air pollution influences the development and progression of aortic diseases via multiple biological pathways, emphasizing the need for further research to define dose-response relationships, identify molecular targets, and implement environmental interventions to reduce disease burden and protect public health.

Hypertension is a high systolic blood pressure of more than 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of more than 90 mmHg on two measurements with an interval of five minutes in a well-rested state. The first rank is hypertension with 12,362 residents. This is also proven by the number of hypertension visits at the Abdul Manan Simatupang Kisaran Regional General Hospital which has continued to increase over the last 2 years. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out preventive efforts in accordance with the health slogan "Prevention is better than cure". Prevention efforts can be done by changing people's diet. In this case, people are required to be more selective in choosing the food they consume. The ability to make decisions quickly, on target and responsibly will be the key to success in global competition in the future. With information technology, it can help users in the process of making accurate and quality decisions with Multi Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis (MOORA).

A persistent difficulty in the field of science of learning is translation of findings into the classroom. Five heads of research labs involved in the science of learning from three different countries (the United Kingdom, France, and Chile) conducted a workshop to discuss challenges for translation in the science of learning field. Presentation slides and notes were thematically analysed using an adapted framework by Miles (2017) to produce a gap analysis. Gaps were identified in relation to: (1) existing theory and knowledge; (2) the research-practice divide; (3) research methodologies; (4) empirical testing and evidence verification; and (5) research with specific populations. Examples from work across the labs illustrated international perspectives on challenges and evidenced possible solutions. Strategies for progress included research into lesser-studied areas and populations, replicating or repeating intervention evaluations, and establishing research partnerships between educators and research institutions.

The millipede genus Yuennanina Attems, 1936 has been known so far only from Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Currently, it comprises three species: Y. ceratogaster Attems, 1936, Y. aceratogaster Zhang & Li, 1977, and Y. petalolobodes Chang & Zhang, 1989. Herein, we describe Y. sirindhornae sp. nov., from Huai Nam Dang, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, representing the first formal record of this genus not only from Thailand, but also from entire Southeast Asia. The new species is characterized by its unique gonopodal solenophore the shape of which resembles a young fern frond with fimbriate edges. A detailed redescription of the type species, Y. ceratogaster, is provided based on a revision of type material. An updated identification key to all four presently known Yuennanina species is also provided.

KITA Driving Course, located in Kisaran, North Sumatra, faces challenges in maintaining service quality amidst increasing student enrollment. Despite operating since 2013, the institution lacks a structured, data-driven evaluation system to assess student satisfaction. This study applies a quantitative descriptive approach using the K-Means clustering algorithm to classify student satisfaction levels. Data were collected from 100 respondents through a questionnaire based on the five SERVQUAL dimensions: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. The K-Means algorithm grouped the satisfaction data into three categories: highly satisfied, satisfied, and dissatisfied. The majority of students were classified as satisfied (18 students), followed by highly satisfied (11 students), and dissatisfied (10 students). The findings indicate that the K-Means algorithm provides valuable insights into student satisfaction patterns, enabling targeted service improvements. The analysis also reveals that responsiveness and assurance were key areas of dissatisfaction, suggesting that instructor response time and safety assurance should be prioritized. These insights can help improve service strategies and can be adapted by other educational institutions for quality optimization through data analysis.

In order to feed the growing population, food production must be increased while minimizing food losses. Nevertheless, diseases caused by pathogens, particularly fungi, are responsible for severe crop losses. Even in today's world, farming systems are prone to various fungal disease epidemics, and care should be taken to avoid disastrous disease outbreak events that the world experienced before. Maize, palm oil, potato, rice, soybean, sugarcane, and wheat are the topmost major crops cultivated extensively worldwide. Any severe disease outbreak that occurs in those crops could cause heartbreak to the world market, and people who are living under the poverty line are highly vulnerable to food insecurity. Given this scenario, we attempt to comprehensively summarize the literature, mainly emphasizing the value of disease control using novel and advanced technologies. Here, first, we discuss previous historical disease outbreaks to showcase what we could learn from the past. Second, new disease emergence/new records of causative agents have been brought to signify the continuing threat and future threat of disease epidemics. Subsequently, the article presents the reasons behind such disease outbreaks, and lastly, it brings the possible disease epidemic mitigating strategies for researchers, farmers, and governing bodies to rethink.

BackgroundThe Falls Management Exercise (FaME) Programme is a group-based, face-to-face and home-based, six-month multi-component exercise intervention for older adults. It reduces falls and fear of falling, increases physical activity and improves confidence and balance. FaME is also cost effective. Despite this evidence, it is not widely available in the UK.ObjectiveTo study the spread, implementation, adherence, ‘real world’ outcomes and quality management of FaME in 14 organisations across three demographically diverse regions of the UK.Programme DescriptionUsing the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to map themes, we undertook a qualitative analysis of 40 Semi-structured interviews with FaME commissioners, providers and participants, 25 class observations and content analysis of management documents. To assess participant outcomes we analysed quantitative functional and self-reported fall outcomes from 1601 participants.Outcomes and LearningsClass availability tripled in one region, whilst delivery remained consistent in others. Factors influencing spread included FaME’s evidence base, perceived fit with organisational values and the personal experiences and beliefs of decision-makers.Univariate pre/post analyses of routinely-collected outcomes showed significant improvements in confidence and balance (Confbal p<0.001), falls (in the previous 3 months, p<0.001) and Timed-Up-and-Go (p<0.001).Participants valued social opportunities as well as improvements in their physical abilities and reported wellbeing benefits beyond fall prevention.Newer programmes or those with quality assurance systems in place showed higher fidelity and quality. Programmes varied in duration and aspects of delivery but a national community of practice forum provided improvement opportunities and mechanisms.ImplicationsComplex and interacting factors influence FaME’s availability, delivery, uptake, participant adherence and outcomes. Findings could be extrapolated to other exercise interventions and have informed the production of an updated implementation toolkit to assist its high-quality implementation.ConclusionsFaME is an evidence-based fall prevention programme but delivery is often inconsistent and there are areas without any provision in the UK. Awareness of its evidence-base is necessary but not sufficient for spread and measures to ensure continued fidelity, quality, outcomes and adherence need to be designed into contracted delivery.