bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Permanent Induction of Morphological Abnormalities in the Penis and Penile Skeletal Muscles in Adult Rats Treated Neonatally With Diethylstilbestrol or Estradiol Valerate: A Dose‐Response Study
Authors: Goyal Hari O. , Braden Tim D. , Williams Carol S. , Dalvi Prasad , Mansour Mansour M. , Williams John W.
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the effects of neonatal exposure to different doses of diethylstilbestrol (DES) or estradiol valerate (EV) on penile morphology, penile skeletal muscles, and fertility. Male pups received DES or EV at a dose of 10 μg, 1 μg, 100 ng, 10 ng, or 1 ng per rat on alternate days from postnatal days 2–12. Fertility was tested at 120 days, and tissues were examined at 150 days. Generally, DES and EV induced similar effects within the 10‐ and 1‐μg groups. Fertility was reduced to 0; the weight, length, and diameter of the penis and the weight of penile skeletal muscles, especially bulbocavernosus muscle, were decreased (P < .05) in a dose‐dependent manner; the preputial sheath was partially released or its release was delayed; testicular descent was delayed; and the cavernous spaces and smooth muscle cells in the corpora cavernosa penis were replaced by fat cells. Conversely, all of the above parameters were similar in controls and the lower dose groups, except in the 100‐ng DES group, in which 4 of 7 males did not sire pups (compared with 1 of 7 in controls and 2 of 6 in the 100‐ng EV group). The loss of fertility in these 4 males of the DES group and 1 male of the EV group was associated with partial release of the preputial sheath and abnormal penile morphology. Plasma testosterone was reduced (P < .05) in the 100‐ng and higher dose groups for DES and EV. Hence, neonatal exposure to DES or EV at a cumulative dose of 600 ng per rat or more lowers fertility, which is associated with permanent alterations in penile morphology and penile skeletal muscles and decreased testosterone.
Activation of the Nuclear Factor Kappa B Pathway Following Ischemia‐Reperfusion of the Murine Testis
Authors: Lysiak Jeffrey J. , Bang Hyun J. , Nguyen Quoc An T. , Turner Terry T.
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: Ischemia‐reperfusion (IR) of the testis results in testicular oxidative stress and germ cell‐specific apoptosis. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) is a nuclear transcription factor involved in the control of a number of cellular processes, and its activation is part of the cellular stress response to a variety of factors including cytokine stimulation, irradiation, and IR. The present study investigates NF‐κB activation after IR of the murine testis and potential downstream target genes of that activation. Mice were subjected to a period of testicular ischemia followed by 0–4 hours of reperfusion. Activation of NF‐κB was assessed by 1) Western blot analysis of the NF‐κB inhibitory protein, IκBα; 2) immunohistochemistry for IκBα; and 3) TranSignal NF‐κB target gene array (107 genes) analysis. Results demonstrate that IκBα is phosphorylated on serine 32 reaching a peak by 2 hours after IR of the testis. A decrease in total IκBα was also noted at 2 hours after IR, consistent with the rapid degradation of the phosphorylated protein. Phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα is indicative of NF‐κB activation. Imunnolocalization revealed IκBα specifically in Sertoli cells of the murine testis. Results of the TranSignal target gene array revealed that the expression of 9 genes was consistently changed 2 hours after IR of the testis, 3 of which increased in expression and 6 of which were down‐regulated. Most notably, high‐mobility group nucleosomal binding domain 1 increased in expression while platelet‐derived growth factor B and Wilms tumor homolog decreased. These results suggest that testicular IR releases the suppression of NF‐κB by IκBα in Sertoli cells. Activation of the NF‐κB pathway in the testis resulted in an alteration of expression of potential NF‐κB target genes, some increased while others decreased. The specific roles of these genes in the testicular response to IR remains to be determined.
Impact of 24‐epibrassinoliode and methyl jasmonate on quality of Red Delicious apples
Authors: Wang ZhaoDan , Asghari Mohammadreza , Zahedipour‐Sheshglani Pari , Mohammadzadeh Kamal
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Changes in apple fruit quality indices in response to foliar spray with 24‐epibrassinolide (EBL) at 0 and 1 μmol L−1 and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) at 0 and 0.5 μmol L−1, as well as the combination of these phytohormones, were investigated at harvest and during cold storage.

RESULTS

Both phytohormones synergistically enhanced the fruit firmness, specific weight, size, fresh weight, water content, total antioxidant activity, total phenolics, ascorbic acid, total anthocyanins, total soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio and precocity. In addition, the fruit abscission pattern was changed in response to different treatments. Treated fruit exhibited lower weight loss and internal breakdown symptoms and higher total soluble solids index, firmness and phytochemicals during cold storage. A negative correlation was seen between fruit mass, firmness, specific weight, antioxidant activity, total phenolics and vitamin C content with internal breakdown occurrence and weight loss.

CONCLUSION

Foliar spray with EBL and MeJA during the growth season is a good environmental friendly and safe method for enhancing the apple fruit different quality parameters, marketability and postharvest life. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Stimuli‐Responsive Hydrogel Adhesives for Wound Closure and Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Ren Hui , Zhang Zhen , Chen Xuesi , He Chaoliang
Published: October 2023

Sutures and staplers, as gold standards for clinical wound closure, usually cause secondary tissue injury and require professional technicians and equipment. The noninvasive hydrogel adhesives are used in various biomedical applications, such as wound closure, tissue sealing, and tissue regeneration, due to their remarkable properties. Recently‐developed hydrogel adhesives, especially stimuli‐responsive hydrogels, have shown great potential owing to their advantages in regulating their performance and functions according to the wound situations or external conditions, thus allowing the wounds to heal gradually. However, comprehensive summary on stimuli‐responsive hydrogels as tissue adhesives is rarely reported to date. This review focuses on the advances in the design of various stimuli‐responsive hydrogel adhesives over the past decade, including the systems responsive to pH, temperature, photo, and enzymes. Their potential biomedical applications, such as skin closure, cardiovascular and liver hemostasis, and gastrointestinal sealing, are emphasized. Meanwhile, the challenges and future development of stimuli‐responsive hydrogel adhesives are discussed. This review aims to provide meaningful insights for the further design of next‐generation of hydrogel adhesives for wound closure and tissue regeneration.
National groups unite in unprecedented effort to ban conversion therapy
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2023

Leaders of national medical and mental health organizations publicly joined together last week in observance of National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, to end conversion therapy — calling such efforts “unscientific” and “ineffective” — and to affirm LGBTQ+ health care. The pioneering partnership is working to escalate awareness about how harmful conversion efforts are to a national level, organizers stated.
MH spending for children, adolescents increases since COVID
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2023

Although the use of mental health telehealth services for children and adolescents has stabilized since the beginning of the pandemic, spending on those types of mental health services for youth rose by more than one‐quarter since the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
Global Hopf bifurcation for differential equations with multiple threshold‐type state‐dependent delays
Authors: Efendiyev Messoud , Hu Qingwen
Published: October 2023

Using the
‐equivariant degree, we develop a global Hopf bifurcation theory for system of differential equations with multiple threshold‐type state‐dependent delays whose prototype is the human respiratory system with multiple blood transport time delays. To establish a theoretic framework for modeling practices of periodic breathing, we further investigate the periodic oscillations of carbon dioxide concentrations in the lung, brain, and tissue compartments and conduct a local and global Hopf bifurcation analysis for the model when varying the commensurate scale of the multiple delays in a transformed system. Such a global Hopf bifurcation will indicate the onset and persistence of the periodic oscillations.
An anisotropic damage model for finite strains with full and reduced regularization of the damage tensor
Authors: van der Velden Tim , Holthusen Hagen , Brepols Tim , Reese Stefanie
Published: October 2023

The modeling of damage as an anisotropic phenomenon enables the consideration of arbitrarily oriented microcracks at the material point level. Yet, the incorporation of material softening into structural simulations still requires a regularization of for example, the degrading variable. There exist different possibilities for a regularization in case of anisotropic damage with varying numbers of nonlocal degrees of freedom corresponding to for example, the symmetric integrity tensor , the principal traces of the damage tensor or a scalar damage hardening variable. Here, we propose a finite strain formulation with a symmetric second order damage tensor of which all six independent components are regularized with a corresponding nonlocal degree of freedom. Due to the significant increase in computational cost caused by the full regularization of the damage tensor, alternative approaches for a reduced regularization with fewer nonlocal degrees of freedom are discussed. Thereafter, the results of a numerical example using the model with full regularization are presented.
Numerical investigation of the Poisson's ratio of amorphous graphene sheets
Authors: Stratmann Jan , Markert Bernd , Bamer Franz
Published: October 2023

The one‐atom‐thick allotrope of graphite, C4 is called monolayer graphene and was discovered in 2004. It is well known for its fantastic electro‐mechanical properties. While transverse contraction and Poisson's ratio were previously studied only for homogeneous or crystalline two‐dimensional (2D) mono‐ and bilayer network structures under uniaxial tensile stress, we now numerically investigate these material properties for amorphous or non‐crystalline monolayer graphene. Here, we pay special attention to the influence of the network heterogeneity. We find the stress‐strain correlation in good agreement with the literature, and we find auxetic behavior, that is, negative Poisson's ratio, over a wide range within the elastic regime.
Photo‐activated shape memory polymer with chiral twisting based on anisotropic bilayer thin sheets
Authors: Tian Guangming , Zhang Jie , Li Mingcai , Zhang Xin , Yang Dong , Zheng Shuguang
Published: October 2023

The remotely controlled shape memory behaviors of a two‐dimensional (2D) sheet to controlled helix structure upon external stimuli is of great significance in the field of smart materials. Herein, we devise a strategy to fabricate a series of shape memory polycaprolactone/W18O49 nanowire film via highly efficient UV‐triggered thiol‐acrylate click chemistry. The resultant polymer composites exhibited desirable photothermal transfer efficiency and can enable rapid temperature increase over the melting temperature of polymeric matrix, thus remotely actuating shape transformation within 8 s. Owing to the well‐defined architecture of the polymer network, the fabricated elastic composite film exhibited a high degree of crystallinity and showed excellent shape memory properties with Rf of 93.12% and Rr of 95.32%. Remarkably, under a 160 mW/cm2 simulated sunlight illumination, the transformation of flat 2D film into 3D chiral actuators is driven by designing anisotropic bilayer thin sheet, and it yields right‐ and left‐handed helix. This work will pave the way for designing biomimetic flexible actuators toward multifunctional shape‐shifting devices.

Highlights

Shape memory polycaprolactone/W18O49 nanowires composite film is fabricated via UV‐triggered thiol‐ene click chemistry.

Polymer composites exhibit light‐activated shape memory behaviors.

The composite films show excellent shape fixity and shape recovery ratio based on the well‐defined network.

The shape morphing behaviors of a flexible 2D bilayer strip into 3D chiral actuators are achieved.
Exploring technology acceptance of head‐mounted device‐based augmented reality surgical navigation in orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Verhellen Anouk , Elprama Shirley A. , Scheerlinck Thierry , Van Aerschot Fiene , Duerinck Johnny , Van Gestel Frederick , Frantz Taylor , Jansen Bart , Vandemeulebroucke Jef , Jacobs An
Published: October 2023

Background

This study used the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to investigate the acceptance of HMD‐based AR surgical navigation.

Methods

An experiment was conducted in which participants drilled 12 predefined holes using freehand drilling, proprioceptive control, and AR assistance. Technology acceptance was assessed through a survey and non‐participant observations.

Results

Participants' intention to use AR correlated (p < 0.05) with social influence (Spearman's rho (rs) = 0.599), perceived performance improvement (rs = 0.592) and attitude towards AR (rs = 0.542).

Conclusions

While most participants acknowledged the potential of AR, they also highlighted persistent barriers to adoption, such as issues related to user‐friendliness, time efficiency and device discomfort. To overcome these challenges, future AR surgical navigation systems should focus on enhancing surgical performance while minimising disruptions to workflows and operating times. Engaging orthopaedic surgeons in the development process can facilitate the creation of tailored solutions and accelerate adoption.
Periodic Defect Engineering of Iron–Nitrogen–Carbon Catalysts for Nitrate Electroreduction to Ammonia
Authors: Zhu Runxi , Qin Yanyang , Wu Tiantian , Ding Shujiang , Su Yaqiong
Published: October 2023

Iron–nitrogen–carbon single atom catalyst (SAC) is regarded as one of the promising electrocatalysts for NO3− reduction reaction (NO3RR) to NH3 due to its high activity and selectivity. However, synergistic effects of topological defects and FeN4 active moiety in Fe–N–C SAC have rarely been investigated. By performing density functional theory (DFT) calculations, 13 defective graphene FeN4 with 585, 484, and 5775 topological line defects are constructed, yielding 585‐68‐FeN4 with optimal NO3RR catalytic activity, high selectivity, as well as robust anti‐dissolution stability. The high NO3RR activity on 585‐68‐FeN4 is well explained by the high valence state of Fe center as well as asymmetric charge distribution on FeN4 moiety influenced by 5‐ and 8‐member rings. This DFT work provides theoretical guidance for engineering NO3RR performance of iron–nitrogen–carbon catalysts by modulating periodic topological defects.
Leadership education and development through the sustainable development goals – embedding equity and justice
Authors: Ledbetter Bernice , Manchikanti Jaya
Published: October 2023

The principles of equity and justice do not often receive the attention they deserve in leadership practice. In order to ensure a shared prosperous future for all, leadership education must place the ethical values of equity and justice at the center of leadership processes and practices. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) framework includes principles of equity and justice and is a useful pedagogical tool for student leadership education. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander women leadership practice is exemplified in this article to demonstrate ethical leadership, in alignment with the SDGs.
Modified procedure for reconstructing the inferomedial orbital wall: silicone sheet implantation without surgical removal
Authors: Takabayashi Kosuke , Maeda Yohei , Kataoka Nobuya
Published: October 2023

Background

Due to the complexity of reconstructing wide inferomedial orbital wall fractures, silicone sheets are the preferred choice of reconstructive material. Nevertheless, it is crucial to remove the silicone sheet postoperatively due to the risk of delayed complications associated with its placement.

Methods

We developed a procedure in which a silicone sheet implanted in the orbit can be extracted through the nasal cavity by removing the fractured portion of the medial orbital wall.

Conclusion

This procedure enables the utilization of silicone sheets, which are suitable for intricate orbital reconstruction, without any concerns regarding delayed complications.
Fully fuzzy DEA: a novel additive slacks-based measure model
Authors: Gerami Javad , Mozaffari Mohammad Reza , Wanke P. F. , Tan Y.
Published: October 2023

The subject of assessing the relative efficiency of Decision-Making Units (DMUs) has been explored extensively in the literature on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). While typical DEA models require exact and conclusive data, the observed values of the inputs and outputs in real-world problems may be inaccurate or ambiguous. This paper presents a novel fully fuzzy DEA (FFDEA) model based on the additive slacks-based measure (ASBM). FFDEA models imply that all inputs, outputs, and variables, are fuzzy. It is demonstrated how fuzzy ranking and fuzzy arithmetic approaches can be used to handle the trapezoidal fuzzy number assumptions. To solve the fuzzy ASBM model under variable returns-to-scale assumptions, we proposed two different methods, first method use of lexicographic method for solving multi-objective linear programming (MOLP) approach, which provides an efficiency measure and a fuzzy goal operating point for each DMU under assessment. In alternative method, we convert the fuzzy linear fractional programming problems to an equivalent MOLP problem. A case study is provided to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach for selecting sustainable suppliers, we compare the results with other fuzzy DEA approaches, while shedding light on future research venues.
Interspecific differences in developmental mode determine early cognitive abilities in teleost fish
Authors: Montalbano Giulia , Bertolucci Cristiano , Bisazza Angelo , Lucon-Xiccato Tyrone
Published: October 2023

Most studies on developmental variation in cognition have suggested that individuals are born with reduced or absent cognitive abilities, and thereafter, cognitive performance increases with age during early development. However, these studies have been mainly performed in altricial species, such as humans, in which offspring are extremely immature at birth. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that species with other developmental modes might show different patterns of cognitive development. To this end, we analysed inhibitory control performance in two teleost species with different developmental modes, the zebrafish Danio rerio and the guppy Poecilia reticulata, exploiting a simple paradigm based on spontaneous behaviour and therefore applicable to subjects of different ages. Zebrafish hatch as larvae 3 days after fertilisation, and have an immature nervous system, a situation that mirrors extreme altriciality. We found that at the early stages of development, zebrafish displayed no evidence of inhibitory control, which only begun to emerge after one month of life. Conversely, guppies, which are born after approximately one month of gestation as fully developed and independent individuals, solved the inhibitory control task since their first days of life, although performance increased with sexual maturation. Our study suggests that the typical progression described during early ontogeny in humans and other species might not be the only developmental trend for animals’ cognition and that a species’ developmental mode might determine variation in cognition across subjects of different age.
Short-term effects of low-level laser versus ultrasound therapy on children’s neck posture after long-term use of electronic devices
Authors: Rabie Ghadeer Mohammed , Shokry Kamal Elsayed , Alsharnoubi Jehan
Published: October 2023

The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), ultrasound therapy (US), and strengthening and stretching exercise in children diagnosed with cervical straightening caused by long-term use of electronic devices. A total of 60 patients from 12 to 18 years of both gender diagnosed with straight neck syndrome which is losing the normal C shape of cervical vertebrae. Patients were randomized into three groups. In group A, patients received LLLT plus exercise, while in group B, they received US plus exercise, and group C received exercise. In group A and B, Cobb angle and VAS showed a significant improvement (more significant in group A) with P < 0.001, while in group C P = 0.006. LLLT, US, and exercise improved the cervical straight curve, and reduced pain with maximum effect was done by LLLT.
Biofilm development of Candida boidinii and the effect of tyrosol on biofilm formation
Authors: Márton Rita , Nagy Blanka , Molnár Mónika
Published: October 2023

Objectives

The applicability of a simple and high-throughput method for quantitative characterization of biofilm formation by Candida boidinii was tested in order to evaluate the effects of exogenous tyrosol on yeast growth and biofilm formation capacity.

Results

Significant concentration-, temperature and time-dependent effect of tyrosol (2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol) was demonstrated, but it differentially affected the growth and biofilm formation (characterized by crystal violet staining and XTT-reduction assay) of Candida boidinii. Testing biofilm based on metabolic activity displayed sensitively the differences in the intensity of biofilm in terms of temperature, tyrosol concentration, and exposure time. At 22 °C after 24 h none of the tyrosol concentrations had significant effect, while at 30 °C tyrosol-mediated inhibition was observed at 50 mM and 100 mM concentration. After 48 h and 72 h at 22 °C, biofilm formation was stimulated at 6.25–25 mM concentrations, meanwhile at 30 °C tyrosol decreased the biofilm metabolic activity proportionally with the concentration.

Conclusions

The research concludes that exogenous tyrosol exerts unusual effects on Candida boidinii growth and biofilm formation ability and predicts its potential application as a regulating factor of various fermentations by Candida boidinii.
Improved preculture management for Cupriavidus necator cultivations
Authors: Gerlach Michelle-Sophie , Neubauer Peter , Gimpel Matthias
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Research on hydrogenases from Cupriavidus necator has been ongoing for more than two decades and still today the common methods for culture inoculation are used. These methods were never adapted to the requirements of modified bacterial strains, resulting in different physiological states of the bacteria in the precultures, which in turn lead prolonged and different lag-phases.

Results

In order to obtain uniform and always equally fit precultures for inoculation, we have established in this study an optimized protocol for precultures of the derivative of C. necator HF210 (C. necator HP80) which is used for homologous overexpression of the genes for the NAD+-reducing soluble hydrogenase (SH). We compared different media for preculture growth and determined the optimal time point for harvest. The protocol obtained in this study is based on two subsequent precultures, the first one in complex nutrient broth medium (NB) and a second one in fructose –nitrogen mineral salt medium (FN).

Conclusion

Despite having two subsequent precultures our protocol reduces the preculture time to less than 30 h and provides reproducible precultures for cultivation of C. necator HP80.
DNA metabarcoding reveals the diet of the invasive fish Oreochromis mossambicus in mangroves of São Tomé Island (Gulf of Guinea)
Authors: Nogueira S. , Curto M. , Gkenas C. , Afonso F. , Dias D. , Heumüller J. , Félix P. M. , de Lima R. F. , Chaínho P. , Brito A. C. , Ribeiro F.
Published: October 2023

Invasive species can trigger profound effects on recipient ecosystems, namely through the food web. Despite being recognized as one of the worst invasive species, little is known about the feeding ecology of the Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus. To understand how this invasive species might impact food webs, we applied metabarcoding to analyze its diet’s composition in two African mangroves, in the Obô Natural Park in the oceanic island of São Tomé. Given the particular importance of mangroves as fish nurseries, we specifically aimed to determine if this invader might predate on other fish species. However, we found that tilapia were mostly phytoplanktivorous and indication on predation of other fish was very limited. Instead, due to their local high densities, tilapia may impact basal trophic levels and nutrient availability with the potential to cascade through the food web by means of bottom-up disruption. In addition, we recorded important changes in the taxonomic composition of the diet, linked to locations and life stages, suggesting that its opportunistic feeding associated with its aggressive territorial behavior may result in resource competition with native species with which it has overlapping dietary niches.
Unraveling mechanisms underlying effects of wetting–drying cycles on soil respiration in a dryland
Authors: Liang Guopeng , Reed Sasha C. , Stark John M. , Waring Bonnie G.
Published: October 2023

Rewetting of dry soils usually stimulates soil carbon (C) emission, a phenomenon known as the Birch effect. Soil C cycling in drylands, which store approximately one third of terrestrial soil organic C (SOC), is strongly affected by wetting–drying cycles. However, the physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms that link rewetting cycles with dryland soil C cycling have not been comprehensively studied, nor do we understand how these mechanisms interact with each other. Here, we conducted a dryland soil incubation experiment manipulating four factors related to global change (soil moisture content, soil moisture variability, C availability, and prior warming) in a factorial design. The experiment was divided into two periods: a rewetting period consisting of six 14-d wetting–drying cycles; and a recovery period lasting 28 days during which soil moisture content was held stable, allowing for examination of the legacy effects of the wet-dry cycles. Rewetting cycles decreased soil aggregate stability under some conditions, but their effects on soil microbial biomass and fungal communities, soil enzyme activities, soil priming, and soil dissolved C were not significant. We found lower average soil respiration under the wetting–drying treatment than the stable soil moisture treatment, and Birch effects were observed, but only under some conditions. This was probably because moisture variability exacerbated soil microbial metabolic stress, which showed itself as oxygen limitation during the initial precipitation pulse and as water limitation during soil drying. Notably, respiration rates remained low even after moisture fluctuations ceased, suggesting a legacy effect of rewetting cycles on dryland microbial communities. Overall, rewetting inhibited aggregate formation (physical mechanism), and suppressed soil respiration by inducing soil microbial metabolic stress (biological mechanism), ultimately leading to lower soil C loss under rewetting. Our findings indicate that Birch effects are mediated by the magnitude of moisture variability, the availability of C, and the degree of physiological stress microbes experience.
The Value of Evidence and Ratificationism
Authors: Dziurosz-Serafinowicz Patryk
Published: October 2023

In sequential decision problems, an act of learning cost-free evidence might be symptomatic, in the sense that performing this act itself provides evidence about states of the world it does nothing to causally promote. It is well known that orthodox causal decision theory, like its main rival evidential decision theory, may sanction such acts as rationally impermissible. This paper shows that, under plausible assumptions, a minimal version of ratificationist causal decision theory, known as principled ratificationism, fares better in this respect, for it never labels symptomatic acts of learning cost-free evidence as rationally impermissible.
The role of pictorial cues and contrast for camouflage
Authors: Kelley Jennifer L. , Jessop Anna-Lee , Kelley Laura A. , Troscianko Jolyon
Published: October 2023

Shadows that are produced across the surface of an object (self-shadows) are potentially an important source of information for visual systems. Animal patterns may exploit this principle for camouflage, using pictorial cues to produce false depth information that manipulates the viewer’s detection/recognition processes. However, pictorial cues could also facilitate camouflage by matching the contrast (e.g. due to shadows) of 3D backgrounds. Aside from studies of countershading (patterning that may conceal depth information), the role of self-shadows in camouflage patterns remains unclear. Here we investigated whether pictorial cues (self-shadows) increase the survival probability of moth-like prey presented to free-living wild bird predators relative to targets without these cues. We manipulated the presence of self-shadows by adjusting the illumination conditions to produce patterned targets under directional lighting (lit from above or from below; self-shadows present) or diffuse lighting (no self-shadows). We used non-patterned targets (uniform colour) as controls. We manipulated the direction of illumination because it has been linked with depth perception in birds; objects lit from above may appear convex while those lit from below can appear concave. As shadows influence contrast, which also determines detectability, we photographed the targets in situ over the observation period, allowing us to evaluate the effect of visual metrics on survival. We found some evidence that patterned targets without self-shadows had a lower probability of survival than patterned targets with self-shadows and targets with uniform colour. Surprisingly, none of the visual metrics explained variation in survival probability. However, predators increased their foraging efficiency over time, suggesting that predator learning may have overridden the benefits afforded by camouflaging coloration.
New fluorescent auxin derivatives: anti-auxin activity and accumulation patterns in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Bieleszová Kristýna , Hladík Pavel , Kubala Martin , Napier Richard , Brunoni Federica , Gelová Zuzana , Fiedler Lukáš , Kulich Ivan , Strnad Miroslav , Doležal Karel , Novák Ondřej , Friml Jiří , Žukauskaitė Asta
Published: October 2023

Auxin belongs among major phytohormones and governs multiple aspects of plant growth and development. The establishment of auxin concentration gradients, determines, among other processes, plant organ positioning and growth responses to environmental stimuli.

Herein we report the synthesis of new NBD- or DNS-labelled IAA derivatives and the elucidation of their biological activity, fluorescence properties and subcellular accumulation patterns in planta. These novel compounds did not show auxin-like activity, but instead antagonized physiological auxin effects. The DNS-labelled derivatives FL5 and FL6 showed strong anti-auxin activity in roots and hypocotyls, which also occurred at the level of gene transcription as confirmed by quantitative PCR analysis. The auxin antagonism of our derivatives was further demonstrated in vitro using an SPR-based binding assay. The NBD-labelled compound FL4 with the best fluorescence properties proved to be unsuitable to study auxin accumulation patterns in planta. On the other hand, the strongest anti-auxin activity possessing compounds FL5 and FL6 could be useful to study binding mechanisms to auxin receptors and for manipulations of auxin-regulated processes.
Collaborative Dishonesty with Unequal Profits - an Experimental Investigation
Authors: Braut Beatrice , Valle Nives Della , Piovesan Marco
Published: October 2023

Our experiment explores the impact of asymmetric incentives on collaboration within a context where participants can coordinate and potentially engage in deceptive practices to secure financial gains. We contrast two scenarios: one in which cooperation results in an equal distribution of gains, and another where the distribution is unequal. Our investigation focuses on the dynamics of collaborative behavior over time and digs into individual strategies employed by participants. We find that corruptive collaboration persists when its gains are unequally divided. Over time, participants acquire experience in collaborative tactics, often utilizing their reports to covert signals. Notably, participants coordinate around compromise distributions that yield smaller payments, suggesting that this context may actually reduce the perceived cost of dishonesty.
A Grave Situation: Burial Practices among the Chinese Diaspora in Queensland, Australia (ca.1870–1930)
Authors: Grimwade Gordon
Published: October 2023

Many nineteenth-century Chinese migrants to Pacific Rim countries died far from their home villages. Diverse approaches were adopted to mark graves, possibly anticipating the subsequent, culturally important, repatriation of their bones. This paper evaluates the morphology of grave markers from eight northeast Australian sites and considers reasons for the variations. Physical appraisal of each site was undertaken and, where they exist, cemetery records and allied documentation examined. In an unusual departure from the norm the inscriptions on most identified grave markers rarely indicate date of death. The seemingly meticulous attention to grave identification in some areas contrasts with others where markers are absent. This study indicates divergent approaches to identification and recording of individual graves over time and place. Rather than indicating full-fledged ethnogenesis, wherein Australian Chinese developed new cultural practices, these behaviors suggest that ca.1870–1930 was a transitional period, during which extant cultural processes were adapted to meet immediate needs.
Adaptation and Validation of a French Version of the Griffith Empathy Measure
Authors: Nader-Grosbois Nathalie , Simon Poline
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to validate a French adaptation of the Griffith Empathy Measure (GEM-vf). Belgian mothers of 516 children from 3 to 12 years old completed the French versions of the GEM, the Empathy Questionnaire (EmQue-vf), the Theory of Mind Inventory-1 (ToMI-1-vf) and the Emotion Regulation Checklist (ERC-vf). The Theory of Mind Task Battery was administered to the children. A principal component analysis showed a two-factor structure in GEM-vf: affective and cognitive empathy. Internal consistency was good. The GEM-vf scores varied depending on age. Affective empathy was higher in girls. In terms of convergent validity, positive and significant correlations were obtained between total, affective and cognitive empathy scores in GEM-vf and scores in ToM skills and in emotion regulation. The three scores in GEM-vf were negatively and significantly correlated with emotion dysregulation. In a subsample of 299 children from 3 to 6 years old, positive and significant correlations were found between scores for total and affective empathy in GEM-vf and for attention to others’ feelings and prosocial actions in EmQue-vf. Cognitive empathy scores in GEM-vf were significantly related to those for prosocial actions in EmQue-vf. The GEM-vf presents good reliability and validity and could be useful to assess typically and atypically developing children in research and clinical practice.
Growth Kinetics of Random Sequential Adsorption Packings Built of Two-Dimensional Shapes with Discrete Orientations
Authors: Cieśla Michał , Kubala Piotr , Zantowicz Wiktor
Published: October 2023

We studied random sequential adsorption packings constructed from rectangles, ellipses, and discorectangles, where the orientations of constituent shapes were picked from discrete sets of values with varying spacing. It allowed us to monitor the transition between the two edge cases: the parallel alignment and the arbitrary, continuous orientation of the shapes within the packing. The packings were generated numerically. Apart from determining the kinetics of packing growth in low- and high-density regimes, we analyzed the results in terms of packing density and probed the microstructural properties using the density autocorrelation function.
Herbivory baseline estimates in Spanish protected areas, and environmental implications
Authors: Serrano-Zulueta Rubén , Pardo Guillermo , Pauné Ferran , del Prado Agustín , Manzano Pablo
Published: October 2023

Context

There are no estimations of herbivory baselines in Spain. Due to the bioclimatic conditions, ungulates have maintained Open Ecosystems until the Holocene. Pastoral tradition later fulfilled the niche of wild grazers, but this role is not considered in environmental assessments of grazing livestock.

Objectives

We attempted to better understand the scale of herbivory in Spain. We aimed to estimate the weight of current wild herbivory and evaluate the role of domestic herbivory in these baselines. We applied them to improve the allocation of environmental impacts and emissions from grazing livestock.

Methods

We inferred an equation relating Net Primary Productivity (NPP) with ungulate biomass and enteric CH4 with data from 11 Spanish Protected Areas. We estimated theoretical baselines in Spain using other literature sources. We applied the equations to the Spanish open ecosystems that are currently grazable. We also estimated the proportion of grazing livestock that would be part of such baseline.

Results

We found relationships between NPP and ungulate biomass and enteric CH4 emissions. However, current abundances are several times below the estimated baselines and the carrying capacity. There are major constraints for herbivore populations to reach their baseline state, particularly the absence of migration and the extinction of grazers among wild herbivores. Structural maintenance of Open Ecosystems should therefore be complemented by domestic grazers that cannot be replaced by the extant wild, mostly browser, ungulates.

Conclusions

We concluded that Spain is widely susceptible to being populated by herbivores that generate Open Ecosystems as baseline landscapes. Current grazing livestock accounts for a significant part of them, so baselines must be included in their environmental assessments. For the case of Spain, we propose a minimum baseline equivalent to 36% of current grazing livestock biomass and 23% of their enteric CH4 emissions.
Keeping context in mind: a non-semantic explanation of apparent context-sensitivity
Authors: Bowker Mark
Published: October 2023

Arguments for context-sensitivity are often based on judgments about the truth values of sentences: a sentence seems true in one context and false in another, so it is argued that the truth conditions of the sentence shift between these contexts. Such arguments rely on the assumption that our judgments reflect the actual truth values of sentences in context. Here, I present a non-semantic explanation of these judgments. In short, our judgments about the truth values of sentences are driven by heuristics that are only fallible reflections of actual truth values. These heuristics can lead to different truth-value judgments in different contexts, even when the sentence at issue is not semantically context-sensitive. As a case study, I consider Sterken’s (Philos. Imprint, 15, 2015a) argument for the context-sensitivity of generic generalisations. I provide a non-semantic explanation of Sterken’s truth-value judgments, which builds on Leslie’s (Philos Perspect 21(1):375–403, 2007; Philos Rev 117(1):1–47, 2008) theory of default generalisation.
Does being a ‘bad feminist’ make me a hypocrite? Politics, commitments and moral consistency
Authors: Piovarchy Adam
Published: October 2023

A ‘bad feminist’ is someone who endorses feminist ideals and values but finds themselves falling short of them. Since bad feminists exhibit an inconsistency between what they say and what they do, this can generate worries about hypocrisy. This article investigates whether and when members of political movements with certain ideals ought to worry they are being hypocritical. It first provides a diagnosis of why worries about hypocrisy seem common in the political arena. I argue that accusations of hypocrisy are apt when one is in insufficiently committed to the values entailed by one’s pronouncements. It is particularly hard to assess what constitutes sufficient commitment in politics because many issues are multi-factorial, overdetermined, and involve numerous competing considerations, making it difficult to assess how genuine commitments to values should manifest in behaviour. Since there are many ways that one can act inconsistently with their pronouncements, mere inconsistency is not a signal of hypocrisy, particularly if one is disposed to take on costs to further that movement’s ends. I also consider and respond to a number of considerations against calling out hypocrisy, including worries about our accuracy, worries about the effects such accusations have on discourse, and worries about how accusations incentivise particular kinds of behaviour.
The Stochastic Klausmeier System and A Stochastic Schauder-Tychonoff Type Theorem
Authors: Hausenblas Erika , Tölle Jonas M.
Published: October 2023

On the one hand, we investigate the existence and pathwise uniqueness of a nonnegative martingale solution to the stochastic evolution system of nonlinear advection-diffusion equations proposed by Klausmeier with Gaussian multiplicative noise. On the other hand, we present and verify a general stochastic version of the Schauder-Tychonoff fixed point theorem, as its application is an essential step for showing existence of the solution to the stochastic Klausmeier system. The analysis of the system is based both on variational and semigroup techniques. We also discuss additional regularity properties of the solution.
Physical and Biological Controls on the Annual CO2 Cycle in Agua Hedionda Lagoon, Carlsbad, CA
Authors: Shipley Kenisha , Martz Todd , Hales Burke , Giddings Sarah N. , Andersson Andreas
Published: October 2023

Agua Hedionda Lagoon (AHL), a tidal estuary located on the southern California coast, supports a diverse ecosystem while serving numerous recreation activities, a marine fish hatchery, a shellfish hatchery, and the largest desalination plant in the western hemisphere. In this work, a 1-year time series of carbon dioxide data is used to establish baseline average dissolved inorganic carbon conditions in AHL. Based on a mass balance model of the outer basin of the lagoon, we propose that AHL is a source of inorganic carbon to the adjacent ocean, through advective export, at a rate of 5.9 × 106 mol C year−1, and a source of CO2 to the atmosphere of 0.21 × 106 mol C year−1 (1 mol C m−2 year−1), implying a net heterotrophic system on the order of 6.0 × 106 mol C year−1 (30 mol C m−2 year−1). Although variable with a range throughout the year of 80% about the mean, the ecosystem remained persistently heterotrophic, reaching peak rates during the summer season. Using results from the mass balance, the annual cycle of selected properties of the aqueous CO2 system (pH, pCO2, and CaCO3 saturation state) were mathematically decomposed in order to examine the relative contribution of drivers including advection, ecosystem metabolism, and temperature that act to balance their observed annual cycle. Important findings of this study include the identification of advection as a prime driver of biogeochemical variability and the establishment of a data-based estimate of mean flushing time for AHL.
Intersection of random spanning trees in complex networks
Authors: London András , Pluhár András
Published: October 2023

In their previous work, the authors considered the concept of random spanning tree intersection of complex networks (London and Pluhár, in: Cherifi, Mantegna, Rocha, Cherifi, Micciche (eds) Complex networks and their applications XI, Springer, Cham, 2023). A simple formula was derived for the size of the minimum expected intersection of two spanning trees chosen uniformly at random. Monte Carlo experiments were run for real networks. In this paper, we provide a broader context and motivations for the concept, discussing its game theoretic origins, examples, its applications to network optimization problems, and its potential use in quantifying the resilience and modular structure of complex networks.
A Mind for Language
Authors: van der Hulst Harry
Published: October 2023

How does human language arise in the mind? To what extent is it innate, or something that is learned? How do these factors interact? The questions surrounding how we acquire language are some of the most fundamental about what it means to be human and have long been at the heart of linguistic theory. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to this fascinating debate, unravelling the arguments for the roles of nature and nurture in the knowledge that allows humans to learn and use language. An interdisciplinary approach is used throughout, allowing the debate to be examined from philosophical and cognitive perspectives. It is illustrated with real-life examples and the theory is explained in a clear, easy-to-read way, making it accessible for students without a background in linguistics. An accompanying website contains a glossary, questions for reflection, discussion themes and project suggestions, to further deepen students understanding of the material.
REAP-2: An interactive quantitative tool for robust and efficient dose-response curve estimation
Authors: Fang Xinying , Liu Xinyi , Chinchilli Vernon M. , Wang Michael , Wang Hong-Gang , Dokholyan Nikolay V. , Shen Chan , Lee J. Jack , Zhou Shouhao
Published: October 2023

REAP-2 is an interactive dose-response curve estimation tool for Robust and Efficient Assessment of drug Potency. It provides user-friendly dose-response curve estimation for in vitro studies and conducts statistical testing for model comparisons with a redesigned user interface. We also make a major update of the underlying estimation method with penalized beta regression, which demonstrates great reliability and accuracy in dose estimation and uncertainty quantification. In this note, we describe the method and implementation of REAP-2 with a highlight on potency estimation and drug comparison.