bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Burden of Care of Nasoalveolar Molding: An Institutional Experience
Authors: Alfonso Allyson R. , Park Jenn J. , Kalra Aneesh , DeMitchell-Rodriguez Evellyn M. , Kussie Hudson C. , Shen Chen , Staffenberg David A. , Flores Roberto L. , Shetye Pradip R.
Published: January 2024

Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is an early presurgical intervention to facilitate primary cleft lip repair by reducing cleft severity and improving labial and nasal form. However, it continues to be associated with the burden of care that influences access and completion of therapy. The authors, therefore, aim to determine the burden of care of NAM therapy for families seeking treatment at a high-volume urban cleft center. A retrospective study of all patients undergoing primary cleft repair between 2012 and 2020 was performed. Patients were grouped based on whether or not NAM therapy was offered. Variables including physical, psychosocial, and financial factors were assessed. Two hundred and thirty patients underwent primary cleft repair between 2012 and 2020. Of these, 176 patients were indicated for NAM, with 4% discontinuing, and 54 patients did not undergo NAM. The 169 patients who completed NAM had a mean duration of treatment of 13.6±8.8 wks consisting of 15±6 scheduled NAM adjustment visits and 1±1 unscheduled visit made urgently to assess caregiver concerns. The mean travel distance was 28.6±37.1 miles. Eighty-four percent of caregivers were married, and 16% did not have English as a primary language. Though 57% had private insurance, 43% of patients received charity support for their treatment. NAM is a finite presurgical intervention that requires caregivers to participate in patient care for approximately three months of their early life. The decision to pursue NAM should be considered alongside the burden of care for caregivers to complete treatment.
Factors Associated With Complications and Failure in Transoral, Mandible Fracture Repair
Authors: Cohn Jason E. , Othman Sammy , Zaransky Sydney , Zwillenberg Seth
Published: January 2024

Objective:

Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of the mandible has been a well-studied topic. However, there has not been a study investigating the relationship between suture type and complications.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review of patients who sustained mandibular fractures was conducted at an urban level I trauma center (2010–2018). Descriptive statistics were used to categorize the sociodemographic data. χ2 and Mann-Whitney U testing were used to compare variables between the polyglactin 910 (vicryl) and chromic sutured groups.

Results:

The study cohort consisted of 102 patients who underwent ORIF of the mandible through the transoral approach. Fifty-nine (57.8%) patients were closed with vicryl suture, whereas 43 (42.2%) with chromic gut suture. There were no differences in sociodemographics, immune status, substance abuse status, fracture type, time to repair, and managing care team between the two groups. Both groups had similar rates of wound dehiscence, infection, and revision surgery. Patients who were operated on earlier were more likely to experience a postoperative infection and dehiscence compared with patients operated on later (P = 0.029 and P = 0.008, respectively). Smokers were more likely to experience dehiscence compared with nonsmokers (P = 0.001). Females and immunocompromised patients were more likely to require revision surgery (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Suture type for transoral, ORIF of the mandible does not impact the rate of infection, wound dehiscence, and revision surgery. However, risk factors for complications can include early operative repair, smoking, female sex, and immunosuppression.
Intraoral Approach for Zygomaticomaxillary Complex and Orbital Floor Fracture With a Customized Ballooning Technique
Authors: Ku Jeong-Kui , Leem Dae Ho
Published: January 2024

The zygomaticomaxillary complex and the orbital floor are commonly affected by mid-face fractures; their fractures pose challenges in reconstruction and can result in complications, such as enophthalmos. This study explores an intraoral approach with the help of a customized balloon technique and a contrast agent as an alternative to the conventional methods. A case report of a 67-year-old man with complex midfacial trauma is presented. The surgical process involved open reduction through an intraoral approach along with a transantral approach with the customized balloon technique. The procedure aimed to achieve reduction, fixation, and reconstruction of a complex mid-face fracture.
A Modified and Refined Classification System for Secondary Cleft Nasolabial Deformities
Authors: Hamdan Usama S. , Najjar Wassim , Younan Robert A. , Ridgell Lucille , Hussein Sara , Azizzadeh Kylie , Melhem Antonio M. , Haddad Mario
Published: January 2024

Secondary cleft lip (CL) deformities are commonly encountered in cleft management. Various attempts have been made to create a classification system that can comprehensively encapsulate residual CL deformities after primary repair. The aim of this study is to reinforce valid classification systems and to introduce a new classification subtype (Type V Revision). A longitudinal retrospective analysis was done in 35 outreach programs in 4 countries (Ecuador, Lebanon, Peru, and El Salvador) between 2015 and 2023. Two hundred sixty-nine patients, between the ages of 9 months and 45 years, with residual CL deformities after primary lip repair, were classified into one of the 5 classification types. Patients with syndromes were excluded from the study. Patients received one of 5 revision types depending on their initial preoperative evaluation and intraoperative analysis of anatomic involvement. The mean age at surgery was 12.86 years. Twenty-five patients received type I revision, 29 patients received type II revision, 81 patients received type III revision, 106 patients received type IV revision, and 28 patients received type V revision. As the surgical complexity advanced from type I to V, there was a gradual increase in the average surgical time. The Congruence between preoperative and postoperative revision types was substantial. Residual CL defects cause a significant burden on both the patient and cleft care provider. This classification system, with the newly introduced type V revision, enhances and eases the categorization and management of secondary CL deformities.
Pancreatic Serous Cystadenoma
Authors: Assawasirisin Charnwit , Qadan Motaz , Aimprasittichai Satita , Kambadakone Avinash , Servin-Rojas Maximiliano , Warshaw Andrew L. , Lillemoe Keith D. , Fernández-del Castillo Carlos
Published: January 2024

Objective:

To understand the natural history of serous cystadenoma (SCA), and the diagnostic accuracy of SCA and identify possible factors that lead to the correct diagnosis.

Background:

SCA is a benign cystic pancreatic neoplasm of the pancreas, accounting for ~15% of resected pancreatic cysts. Current recommendations are to proceed with surgical resection in symptomatic patients or when there is uncertainty regarding diagnosis. The latter continues to be a challenge since intentional resection of an SCA accounts for only a minority of resected cases.

Methods:

Retrospective single-institution review of patients who on final pathology had a diagnosis of pancreatic SCA and of patients who had this diagnosis and were managed nonoperatively. Demographic data, cyst characteristics, and growth rate were collected for analysis.

Results:

A total of 250 patients were analyzed. Median age was 62 (range: 22–89), 65% were females, and 34% had symptoms. Tumor size ranged from 0.6 to 20, with a median of 3.4 cm. The morphologic appearance was microcystic in 58%, macrocystic in 16%, mixed-type in 23%, and solid in 3%. Pancreatic duct dilation and pancreatic atrophy were found in 22% and 14%, respectively. The average growth rate was 1.8 mm/year regardless of tumor size. Of the 172 patients who underwent surgery, SCA was the preoperative diagnosis in only 33%. A correct diagnosis was independently associated with large tumors and cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen analysis. Pancreatic duct dilation was independently associated with an in-growing cyst and the presence of calcification.

Conclusions:

SCA is a slow-growing pancreatic cystic neoplasm that is mostly asymptomatic but can lead to pancreatic duct dilation and atrophy in some patients. A surprisingly small number of correct preoperative diagnoses confirms that this entity continues to be a diagnostic challenge. A more thorough preoperative workup that includes endoscopic ultrasonography should improve the rate of misdiagnosis.
Use of Preoperative Endoscopic Capsule-Based pH Testing Before Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Scott John , Blackhurst Dawn , Hodgens Brian D , Carbonell Alfredo M , Cobb William S , Richardson Emily S , Dahlgren Nicholas JP , Kothari Shanu N
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is the most performed bariatric operation in the US; however, a significant number of patients suffer from persistent or new-onset reflux. No consensus for objective preoperative evaluation in these patients exists. We compared capsule-based pH testing vs GERD symptom scoring to determine extent of preoperative GERD to aid in procedure selection for bariatric surgery.

STUDY DESIGN:

An IRB-approved retrospective review of consecutive patients at a single institution was performed from April 2021 to December 2022. During initial consultation for bariatric surgery, a validated GERD symptom subjective survey was administered. All patients demonstrating interest in sleeve gastrectomy or had a history of reflux underwent upper endoscopy with capsule-based pH testing.

RESULTS:

Sixty-two patients underwent preoperative endoscopy with capsule-based pH testing and completed GERD symptom assessment survey(s). Median BMI was 43.4 kg/m2 and 66.1% of patients were not taking a proton-pump inhibitor before performance of pH testing. There was negligible linear association between the objective DeMeester score obtained by capsule-based pH probe and GERD symptom survey scores. Median GERD symptom survey scores did not differ between patients with and without a diagnosis of GERD based on pH testing (all p values >0.11).

CONCLUSIONS:

An objective method for identifying severe GERD in the preoperative assessment may aid in the decision tree for procedure selection and informed consent process. Patients with significant preoperative GERD may be at higher risk for future GERD-related sleeve complications. Capsule-based pH testing may prove to be superior to subjective symptom scoring systems in this patient population.
Increasing Injury Intensity among 6,500 Violent Deaths in the State of Maryland
Authors: Sakran Joseph V , Lunardi Nicole , Mehta Ambar , Ezzeddine Hiba M , Chammas Majid , Fransman Ryan , Byrne James P , Stevens Kent , Efron David
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests there has been a rise in violent crimes. This study sought to examine trends in injury characteristics of homicide victims in Maryland. We hypothesized that there would be an increase in the severity of wound characteristics.

STUDY DESIGN:

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is a statewide agency designated by law to investigate all homicides, suicides, or unusual or suspicious circumstances. Using individual autopsy reports, we collected data among all homicides from 2005 to 2017, categorizing them into 3 time periods: 2005 to 2008 (early), 2009 to 2013 (mid), and 2014 to 2017 (late). Primary outcomes included the number of gunshots, stabs, and fractures from assaults. High-violence intensity outcomes included victims having 10 or more gunshots, 5 or more stabs, or 5 or more fractures from assaults.

RESULTS:

Of 6,500 homicides (annual range 403 to 589), the majority were from firearms (75%), followed by stabbings (14%) and blunt assaults (10%). Most homicide victims died in the hospital (60%). The average number of gunshots per victim was 3.9 (range 1 to 54), stabs per victim was 9.4 (range 1 to 563), and fractures from assaults per victim was 3.7 (range 0 to 31). The proportion of firearm victims with at least 10 gunshots nearly doubled from 5.7% in the early period to 10% (p < 0.01) in the late period. Similarly, the proportion with 5 or more stabbings increased from 39% to 50% (p = 0.02) and assault homicides with 5 or more fractures increased from 24% to 38% (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

In Maryland, the intensity of violence increased across all major mechanisms of homicide. Further follow-up studies are needed to elucidate the root causes underlying this escalating trend.
Why do dogs wag their tails?
Authors: Leonetti Silvia , Cimarelli Giulia , Hersh Taylor A. , Ravignani Andrea
Published: January 2024

Tail wagging is a conspicuous behaviour in domestic dogs (
Canis familiaris
). Despite how much meaning humans attribute to this display, its quantitative description and evolutionary history are rarely studied. We summarize what is known about the mechanism, ontogeny, function and evolution of this behaviour. We suggest two hypotheses to explain its increased occurrence and frequency in dogs compared to other canids. During the domestication process, enhanced rhythmic tail wagging behaviour could have (i) arisen as a by-product of selection for other traits, such as docility and tameness, or (ii) been directly selected by humans, due to our proclivity for rhythmic stimuli. We invite testing of these hypotheses through neurobiological and ethological experiments, which will shed light on one of the most readily observed yet understudied animal behaviours. Targeted tail wagging research can be a window into both canine ethology and the evolutionary history of characteristic human traits, such as our ability to perceive and produce rhythmic behaviours.
Catch-up growth and overweight adults in the offspring of young gecko mothers resembling low birth weight infants
Authors: Starostová Zuzana , Píchová Veronika , Bauerová Anna , Kubička Lukáš , Kratochvíl Lukáš
Published: January 2024

Endothermic and ectothermic amniotes differ in the timing of reproductive onset, with reptiles initiating reproduction before reaching final body size. Long-term consequences of maternal effect for early reptile offspring are poorly explored. We conducted growth experiments to compare the growth of offspring produced by young and older females of gecko
Paroedura picta
. Young, not fully grown females lay smaller eggs leading to production of smaller offspring. These offspring undergo accelerated growth and ultimately reach a comparable sex-specific final body length as do offspring of older females. Final body length is thus canalized with respect to the maternal effect on egg size. Notably, the offspring of young mothers have a tendency towards larger body mass. Ontogeny of the offspring of young females shares similarities with that of mammalian offspring with low birth weight or early malnutrition, exhibiting catch-up growth and a predisposition to obesity. We highlight the important consequences of early reproduction for offspring in animals that initiate reproduction prior to reaching final body size. Both life-history models and conservation practices should take into account that female lizards might produce the most fit offspring only between reaching their final body length and the onset of reproductive senescence.
A continuum mechanical model of cell motion driven by a biphasic traction stress
Authors: Abeyaratne Rohan , Purohit Prashant K.
Published: January 2024

The aim of this paper is to place the cell locomotion problem within the general framework of classical continuum mechanics, and while doing so, to account for the deformation of the actin network in the cytoskeleton; the myosin activity on the lamellum including its effect on depolymerization at the trailing edge; model the stress-dependent driving forces and kinetic laws controlling polymerization at the leading edge, depolymerization at the trailing edge and ATP hydrolysis consistently with the dissipation inequality; and, based on the observations in Gardel
et al.
(Gardel
et al.
2008
J. Cell Biol.
183
, 999–1005 (
doi:10.1083/jcb.200810060
)), include a biphasic velocity-dependent traction stress acting on the actin network. While we chose certain specific models for each of these, in part to allow for an analytical solution, the generality of the framework allows one to readily introduce different constitutive laws to describe these phenomena as might be needed, for example, to study some different type of cells. As described in §5, the predictions of the model compare well with observations such as the magnitude of the very different actin retrograde speeds in the lamellum and lamellipodium including their jump at the interface, the magnitude of the cell speed, and the relative lengths of the lamellipodium and lamellum.
Significance of quantitative analyses of the impact of heterogeneity in mitochondrial content and shape on cell differentiation
Authors: Agarwala Swati , Dhabal Sukhamoy , Mitra Kasturi
Published: January 2024

Mitochondria, classically known as the powerhouse of cells, are unique double membrane-bound multifaceted organelles carrying a genome. Mitochondrial content varies between cell types and precisely doubles within cells during each proliferating cycle. Mitochondrial content also increases to a variable degree during cell differentiation triggered after exit from the proliferating cycle. The mitochondrial content is primarily maintained by the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, while damaged mitochondria are eliminated from the cells by mitophagy. In any cell with a given mitochondrial content, the steady-state mitochondrial number and shape are determined by a balance between mitochondrial fission and fusion processes. The increase in mitochondrial content and alteration in mitochondrial fission and fusion are causatively linked with the process of differentiation. Here, we critically review the quantitative aspects in the detection methods of mitochondrial content and shape. Thereafter, we quantitatively link these mitochondrial properties in differentiating cells and highlight the implications of such quantitative link on stem cell functionality. Finally, we discuss an example of cell size regulation predicted from quantitative analysis of mitochondrial shape and content. To highlight the significance of quantitative analyses of these mitochondrial properties, we propose three independent rationale based hypotheses and the relevant experimental designs to test them.
Formation of amyloid fibrils by the regulatory 14-3-3
ζ
protein
Authors: Šulskis Darius , Žiaunys Mantas , Sakalauskas Andrius , Sniečkutė Rūta , Smirnovas Vytautas
Published: January 2024

The 14-3-3 proteins are a highly conserved adaptor protein family with multi-layer functions, abundantly expressed in the brain. The 14-3-3 proteins modulate phosphorylation, regulate enzymatic activity and can act as chaperones. Most importantly, they play an important role in various neurodegenerative disorders due to their vast interaction partners. Particularly, the 14-3-3
ζ
isoform is known to co-localize in aggregation tangles in both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases as a result of protein–protein interactions. These abnormal clumps consist of amyloid fibrils, insoluble aggregates, mainly formed by the amyloid-β, tau and α-synuclein proteins. However, the molecular basis of if and how 14-3-3
ζ
can aggregate into amyloid fibrils is unknown. In this study, we describe the formation of amyloid fibrils by 14-3-3
ζ
using a comprehensive approach that combines bioinformatic tools, amyloid-specific dye binding, secondary structure analysis and atomic force microscopy. The results presented herein characterize the amyloidogenic properties of 14-3-3
ζ
and imply that the well-folded protein undergoes aggregation to β-sheet-rich amyloid fibrils.
De-stabilizing innate immunity in COVID-19: effects of its own positive feedback and erratic viraemia on the alternative pathway of complement
Authors: Reeve Jonathan
Published: January 2024

Complement provides powerful, fast responses in the human circulation to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus) infection of the lower respiratory tract. COVID-19 effects were investigated in a revised human
in silico
Mass Action model of complement's alternative pathway (AP) responses. Bursts of newly circulating virions increased the fission of Complement protein C3 into C3a and C3b via stimulation of the lectin pathway or inhibited complement factor H. Viral reproduction sub-models incorporated smoothly exponential or step-wise exponential growth. Starting complement protein concentrations were drawn randomly from published normal male or female ranges and each infection model run for 10 days. C3 and factor B (FB) syntheses driven by Lectin Pathway stimulation led to declining plasma C3 and increasing FB concentrations. The C3-convertase concentration, a driver of viral elimination, could match viral growth over three orders of magnitude but near-complete exhaustion of circulating C3 was more prevalent with step-wise than with ‘smooth’ increases in viral stimulation. C3 exhaustion could be prolonged. Type 2 Diabetes and hypertension led to greatly increased peak C3-convertase concentrations, as did short-term variability of COVID-19 viraemia, pulmonary capillary clotting and secondary acidosis. Positive feedback in the AP greatly extends its response range at the expense of stability.
Exploring the dimensions of responsible research systems and cultures: a scoping review
Authors: Field Sarahanne M. , Thompson Jackie , de Rijcke Sarah , Penders Bart , Munafò Marcus R.
Published: January 2024

The responsible conduct of research is foundational to the production of valid and trustworthy research. Despite this, our grasp of what dimensions responsible conduct of research (RCR) might contain—and how it differs across disciplines (i.e. how it is conceptualized and operationalized)—is tenuous. Moreover, many initiatives related to developing and maintaining RCR are developed within disciplinary and institutional silos which naturally limits the benefits that RCR practice can have. To this end, we are working to develop a better understanding of how RCR is conceived and realized, both across disciplines and across institutions in Europe. The first step in doing this is to scope existing knowledge on the topic, of which this scoping review is a part. We searched several electronic databases for relevant published and grey literature. An initial sample of 715 articles was identified, with 75 articles included in the final sample for qualitative analysis. We find several dimensions of RCR that are underemphasized or are excluded from the well-established World Conferences on Research Integrity (WCRI) Singapore Statement on Research Integrity and explore facets of these dimensions that find special relevance in a range of research disciplines.
Female chimpanzees avoid inbreeding even in the presence of substantial bisexual philopatry
Authors: White Lauren C. , Städele Veronika , Ramirez Amaya Sebastian , Langergraber Kevin , Vigilant Linda
Published: January 2024

Inbreeding (reproduction between relatives) often decreases the fitness of offspring and is thus expected to lead to the evolution of inbreeding avoidance strategies. Chimpanzees (
Pan troglodytes
) are expected to avoid inbreeding as they are long-lived, invest heavily in offspring and may encounter adult, opposite sex kin frequently, especially in populations where both males and females commonly remain in the group in which they were born (bisexual philopatry). However, it is unclear whether substantial bisexual philopatry has been a feature of chimpanzees' evolutionary history or whether it is a result of recent anthropogenic interference, as the only groups for which it has been documented are significantly impacted by human encroachment and experience notable rates of potentially unsustainable inbreeding. Here we use 14 years of observational data and a large genomic dataset of 256 481 loci sequenced from 459 individuals to document dispersal and inbreeding dynamics in an eastern chimpanzee (
P. t. schweinfurthii
) community with low levels of anthropogenic disturbance. We document the first case of substantial bisexual philopatry in a relatively undisturbed chimpanzee community and show that, despite an increased inbreeding risk incurred by females who do not disperse before reaching reproductive age, natal females were still able to avoid producing inbred offspring.
Infection of Norway lobster (
Nephrops norvegicus
) by the parasite
Hematodinium
sp.: insights from 30 years of field observations
Authors: Molto-Martin Irene , Neil Douglas M. , Coates Christopher J. , MacKenzie Simon A. , Bass David , Stentiford Grant D. , Albalat Amaya
Published: January 2024

The Norway lobster,
Nephrops norvegicus
, is an important representative of the benthos and also supports valuable fisheries across Europe.
Nephrops
are susceptible to infection by
Hematodinium
sp., an endoparasitic dinoflagellate that causes morbidity and mortality. From an epizootiological perspective, the Clyde Sea Area (CSA; west of Scotland) is the best-studied
Hematodinium
–
Nephrops
pathosystem, with historical data available between 1988 and 2008. We have revisited this pathosystem by curating and updating prevalence values, differentiating host traits associated with disease exposure and progression, and comparing
Hematodinium
sp. disease dynamics in the CSA to other locations and to other decapod hosts (
Cancer pagurus
,
Carcinus maenas
). Prevalence from a 2018/2019 survey (involving 1739 lobsters) revealed
Hematodinium
sp. still mounts a synchronized patent infection in the CSA; hence this pathogen can be considered as enzootic in this location. We highlight for the first time that
Nephrops
size is associated with high severity infection, while females are more exposed to
Hematodinium
sp. More generally, regardless of the host (Norway lobster, brown and shore crabs) or the geographical area (Ireland, Wales, Scotland),
Hematodinium
sp. patent infections peak in spring/summer and reach their nadir during autumn. We contend that
Hematodinium
must be considered one of the most important pathogens of decapod crustaceans in temperate waters.
A novel approach to low-cost, rapid and simultaneous colorimetric detection of multiple analytes using 3D printed microfluidic channels
Authors: Mishra Piyush , Navariya Sagar , Gupta Priyanshi , Singh Bhupendra Pratap , Chopra Samridhi , Shrivastava Swapnil , Agrawal Ved Varun
Published: January 2024

This research paper presents an inventive technique to swiftly create microfluidic channels on distinct membrane papers, enabling colorimetric drug detection. Using a modified DIY RepRap 3D printer with a syringe pump, microfluidic channels (µPADs) are crafted on a flexible nylon-based substrate. This allows simultaneous detection of four common drugs with a single reagent. An optimized blend of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) dissolved in hexane is used to create hydrophobic channels on various filter papers. The PDMS-hexane mixture infiltrates the paper's pores, forming hydrophobic barriers that confine liquids within the channels. These barriers are cured on the printer's hot plate, controlling channel width and preventing spreading. Capillary action drives fluid along these paths without spreading. This novel approach provides a versatile solution for rapid microfluidic channel creation on membrane papers. The DIY RepRap 3D printer integration offers precise control and faster curing. The PDMS-hexane solution accurately forms hydrophobic barriers, containing liquids within desired channels. The resulting microfluidic system holds potential for portable, cost-effective drug detection and various sensing applications.
What you have, not who you know: food-enhanced social capital and changes in social behavioural relationships in a non-human primate
Authors: Blersch Rosemary , Vandeleest Jessica J. , Nathman Amy C. , Pósfai Márton , D'Souza Raissa , McCowan Brenda , Beisner Brianne A.
Published: January 2024

Social network position in non-human primates has far-reaching fitness consequences. Critically, social networks are both heterogeneous and dynamic, meaning an individual's current network position is likely to change due to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. However, our understanding of the drivers of changes in social network position is largely confined to opportunistic studies. Experimental research on the consequences of
in situ,
controlled network perturbations is limited. Here we conducted a food-based experiment in rhesus macaques to assess whether allowing an individual the ability to provide high-quality food to her group changed her social behavioural relationships. We considered both her social network position across five behavioural networks, as well as her dominance and kin interactions. We found that gaining control over a preferential food resource had far-reaching social consequences. There was an increase in both submission and aggression centrality and changes in the socio-demographic characteristics of her agonistic interaction partners. Further, we found that her grooming balance shifted in her favour as she received more grooming than she gave. Together, these results provide a novel, preliminary insight into how
in situ
, experimental manipulations can modify social network position and point to broader network-level shifts in both social capital and social power.
Flour beetles prefer corners over walls and are slowed down with increasing habitat complexity
Authors: Scharf Inon , Radai Amit , Goldshtein Dar , Hanna Kimberley
Published: January 2024

Movement affects all key behaviours in which animals engage, including dispersal and habitat use. The red flour beetle, known as a cosmopolitan pest of stored products, was the subject of our study. We examined whether the beetles preferred corners, walls or open areas, and how turns or obstacles in corridors delayed the beetles' arrival at a target cell. Beetles spent significantly more time in corners than expected by chance, while they spent considerably less time in open areas than expected. However, no significant difference was observed between areas with two or three surrounding walls. This could be attributed to the beetles' stronger attraction to corners than crevices or the insufficient proximity of the third wall to the other two. Movement through the corridor was delayed by turns or obstacles, expressed in arrival probabilities, arrival times, time in the corridor or movement speed. Obstacles on the corridor's perimeter had a stronger effect on the beetle movement than those in the corridor's centre owing to the beetles' tendency to follow walls. The research is important also for applied purposes, such as better understanding beetle movement, how to delay their arrival to new patches, and where to place traps.
Stability analysis of evolutionary dynamics of 2 × 2 × 2 asymmetric games
Authors: Song Sha , Pan Qiuhui , Gao Xubin , He Mingfeng
Published: January 2024

In biology, economics, sociology as well as other fields, there is often a

2
×
2
×
2

asymmetric evolutionary game problem in which each party has a set of strategies, and different strategy combinations correspond to the specific pay-offs of each party. Since each participant dynamically adjusts the strategy for maximizing their own interests, the pay-off matrix plays an important role in the evolution of the game system. Based on the pay-off matrix, we probe into the resulting state of

2
×
2
×
2

asymmetric evolutionary games. The results show that from the information of the pay-off matrix, the judgement conditions for the system to evolve into three pure strategies, two pure strategies and one pure strategy can be determined directly. What is more, under a certain type of fixed pay-off matrix, the strategy combinations observed at different evolution times is always varying. Here, we explore the connection between the pay-off matrix and the evolution of behaviours through stability theory, and results obtained are conducive to deeply understand and predict the dynamic evolution of behaviour in game systems.
Dynamics of elastic lattices with sliding constraints
Authors: Cabras L. , Bigoni D. , Piccolroaz A.
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the impact of sliders – constraints acting on elastic rods allowing for a transverse displacement jump while maintaining axial and rotational displacement continuity – on the dynamics of a periodic elastic grid, including the effects of axial preload. The grid is linearly elastic and subject to in-plane incremental deformation, involving normal and shear forces and bending moment. The periodicity of the infinite grid permits a Floquet–Bloch wave analysis and a rigorous dynamic homogenization, leading to an equivalent prestressed elastic solid. The investigation is complemented by
ad hoc
developed F.E. simulations and perturbations with a pulsating Green’s function. Results show that the sliders create band gaps, flat bands and Dirac cones in the dispersion diagrams and generate macro-instability even for tensile prestress. The latter corresponds to the loss of ellipticity at the parabolic boundary in the equivalent elastic solid and provides a rare example of an almost unexplored form of material instability. Therefore, our results offer design strategies for metamaterials and architected materials showing reversible material instabilities and filtering properties for mechanical signals.
Kinematics and dynamics of non-developable origami
Authors: Zou Yu , Feng Fan , Liu Ke , Lv Pengyu , Duan Huiling
Published: January 2024

Non-developable origami is a unique type of origami structures that cannot be unfolded into a flat sheet without stretching. In this work, we study the kinematics and dynamics of such origami, theoretically, numerically and experimentally, considering rigid panels and stretchable creases. Unlike developable origami, we find that non-developable origami exhibits distinct folding angle relationships, leading to several separate branches in its kinematic configuration space with snap-through and locking behaviours. By modelling the creases as stretchable torsional springs, we derive a dynamic model to analyse the deployment of non-developable origami structures, from single-vertex origami to origami chains. Our dynamic model unveils the snap-through behaviour between the two kinematics branches of the single-vertex non-developable origami structure, which is further validated by experiments with excellent agreement. We believe that our kinematic and dynamic framework of non-developable origami will greatly expand the current design space of origami structures and guide the design of novel origami actuators.
Seeking temporal refugia to heat stress: increasing nocturnal activity despite predation risk
Authors: Brivio Francesca , Apollonio Marco , Anderwald Pia , Filli Flurin , Bassano Bruno , Bertolucci Cristiano , Grignolio Stefano
Published: January 2024

Flexibility in activity timing may enable organisms to quickly adapt to environmental changes. Under global warming, diurnally adapted endotherms may achieve a better energy balance by shifting their activity towards cooler nocturnal hours. However, this shift may expose animals to new or increased environmental challenges (e.g. increased predation risk, reduced foraging efficiency). We analysed a large dataset of activity data from 47 ibex (
Capra ibex
) in two protected areas, characterized by varying levels of predation risk (presence versus absence of the wolf—
Canis lupus
). We found that ibex increased nocturnal activity following warmer days and during brighter nights. Despite the considerable sexual dimorphism typical of this species and the consequent different predation-risk perception, males and females demonstrated consistent responses to heat in both predator-present and predator-absent areas. This supports the hypothesis that shifting activity towards nighttime may be a common strategy adopted by diurnal endotherms in response to global warming. As nowadays different pressures are pushing mammals towards nocturnality, our findings emphasize the urgent need to integrate knowledge of temporal behavioural modifications into management and conservation planning.
The coevolution of rostral keratin and tooth distribution in dinosaurs
Authors: Aguilar-Pedrayes Isaura , Gardner Jacob D. , Organ Chris L.
Published: January 2024

Teeth evolved early in vertebrate evolution, and their morphology reflects important specializations in diet and ecology among species. The toothless jaws (edentulism) in extant birds likely coevolved with beak keratin, which functionally replaced teeth. However, extinct dinosaurs lost teeth multiple times independently and exhibited great variation in toothrow distribution and rhamphotheca-like keratin structures. Here, we use rostral jawbone surface texture as a proxy for rostral keratin covering and phylogenetic comparative models to test for the influence of rostral keratin on toothrow distribution in Mesozoic dinosaurs. We find that the evolution of rostral keratin covering explains partial toothrow reduction but not jaw toothlessness. Toothrow reduction preceded the evolution of rostral keratin cover in theropods. Non-theropod dinosaurs evolved continuous toothrows despite evolving rostral keratin covers (e.g. some ornithischians and sauropodomorphs). We also show that rostral keratin covers did not significantly increase the evolutionary rate of tooth loss, which further delineates the antagonistic relationship between these structures. Our results suggest that the evolution of rostral keratin had a limited effect on suppressing tooth development. Independent changes in jaw development may have facilitated further tooth loss. Furthermore, the evolution of strong chemical digestion, a gizzard, and a dietary shift to omnivory or herbivory likely alleviated selective pressures for tooth development.
Active self-touch restores bodily proprioceptive spatial awareness following disruption by ‘rubber hand illusion'
Authors: Cataldo Antonio , Crivelli Damiano , Bottini Gabriella , Gomi Hiroaki , Haggard Patrick
Published: January 2024

Bodily self-awareness relies on a constant integration of visual, tactile, proprioceptive, and motor signals. In the ‘rubber hand illusion' (RHI), conflicting visuo-tactile stimuli lead to changes in self-awareness. It remains unclear whether other, somatic signals could compensate for the alterations in self-awareness caused by visual information about the body. Here, we used the RHI in combination with robot-mediated self-touch to systematically investigate the role of tactile, proprioceptive and motor signals in maintaining and restoring bodily self-awareness. Participants moved the handle of a leader robot with their right hand and simultaneously received corresponding tactile feedback on their left hand from a follower robot. This self-touch stimulation was performed either before or after the induction of a classical RHI. Across three experiments, active self-touch delivered after—but not before—the RHI, significantly reduced the proprioceptive drift caused by RHI, supporting a restorative role of active self-touch on bodily self-awareness. The effect was not present during involuntary self-touch. Unimodal control conditions confirmed that both tactile and motor components of self-touch were necessary to restore bodily self-awareness. We hypothesize that active self-touch transiently boosts the precision of proprioceptive representation of the touched body part, thus counteracting the visual capture effects that underlie the RHI.
Cold adaptation does not handicap warm tolerance in the most abundant Arctic seabird
Authors: Beaman Julian E. , White Craig R. , Clairbaux Manon , Perret Samuel , Fort Jérôme , Grémillet David
Published: January 2024

Arctic birds and mammals are physiologically adapted to survive in cold environments but live in the fastest warming region on the planet. They should therefore be most threatened by climate change. We fitted a phylogenetic model of upper critical temperature (
T

UC

) in 255 bird species and determined that
T

UC

for dovekies (
Alle alle
; 22.4°C)—the most abundant seabird in the Arctic—is 8.8°C lower than predicted for a bird of its body mass (150 g) and habitat latitude. We combined our comparative analysis with
in situ
physiological measurements on 36 dovekies from East Greenland and forward-projections of dovekie energy and water expenditure under different climate scenarios. Based on our analyses, we demonstrate that cold adaptation in this small Arctic seabird does not handicap acute tolerance to air temperatures up to at least 15°C above their current maximum. We predict that climate warming will reduce the energetic costs of thermoregulation for dovekies, but their capacity to cope with rising temperatures will be constrained by water intake and salt balance. Dovekies evolved 15 million years ago, and their thermoregulatory physiology might also reflect adaptation to a wide range of palaeoclimates, both substantially warmer and colder than the present day.
The role of recombination dynamics in shaping signatures of direct and indirect selection across the
Ficedula
flycatcher genome
†
Authors: Chase Madeline A. , Vilcot Maurine , Mugal Carina F.
Published: January 2024

Recombination is a central evolutionary process that reshuffles combinations of alleles along chromosomes, and consequently is expected to influence the efficacy of direct selection via Hill–Robertson interference. Additionally, the indirect effects of selection on neutral genetic diversity are expected to show a negative relationship with recombination rate, as background selection and genetic hitchhiking are stronger when recombination rate is low. However, owing to the limited availability of recombination rate estimates across divergent species, the impact of evolutionary changes in recombination rate on genomic signatures of selection remains largely unexplored. To address this question, we estimate recombination rate in two
Ficedula
flycatcher species, the taiga flycatcher (
Ficedula albicilla
) and collared flycatcher (
Ficedula albicollis
). We show that recombination rate is strongly correlated with signatures of indirect selection, and that evolutionary changes in recombination rate between species have observable impacts on this relationship. Conversely, signatures of direct selection on coding sequences show little to no relationship with recombination rate, even when restricted to genes where recombination rate is conserved between species. Thus, using measures of indirect and direct selection that bridge micro- and macro-evolutionary timescales, we demonstrate that the role of recombination rate and its dynamics varies for different signatures of selection.
Spider dung beetles: coordinated cooperative transport without a predefined destination
Authors: Tocco Claudia , Byrne Marcus , Gagnon Yakir , Dirlik Elin , Dacke Marie
Published: January 2024

Cooperative transport allows for the transportation of items too large for the capacity of a single individual. Beyond humans, it is regularly employed by ants and social spiders where two or more individuals, with more or less coordinated movements, transport food to a known destination. In contrast to this, pairs of male and female dung beetles successfully transport brood balls to a location unknown to either party at the start of their common journey. We found that, when forced to overcome a series of obstacles in their path, transport efficiency of pairs of beetles was higher than of solo males. To climb tall obstacles with their common ball of dung, the female assisted the leading male in lifting the ball by steadying and pushing it upwards in a ‘headstand’ position during the climb initiation. Finally, we show that pairs were faster than single beetles in climbing obstacles of different heights. Our results suggest that pairs of
Sisyphus
beetles cooperate in the transportation of brood balls with coordinated movements, where the male steers and the female primarily assists in lifting the ball. Taken together, this is to our knowledge, the first quantitative study of cooperative food transport without a known goal to aim for.
Development of selective isolation media for detecting Actinomyces and Schaalia genera from oral specimens containing indigenous bacteria
Authors: Aoki Sadao , Yahara Hiroko , Nakao Ryoma , Tsuzukibashi Osamu , Yahara Koji
Published: January 2024

To isolate specific bacteria from samples constituting the microbiota, it is essential to employ selective media that suppress the growth of resident bacteria other than specific target bacteria. Selective media for clinically important Actinomyces (including Schaalia, which was previously taxonomically classified as part of the Actinomyces genus) have been limited because they have been designed for a limited range of species within the genus and require ingredients which are difficult to prepare and handle. This study aimed to develop a selective medium (referred to as Actinomyces and Schaalia Selective Medium (ASSM)) for the isolation of a broad range of Actinomyces and Schaalia species from samples mixed with resident bacteria.  The composition of ASSM includes yeast extract, agar, brain heart infusion (BHI), levofloxacin (LVFX), fosfomycin (FOM), colistin (CL), and metronidazole (MNZ). Evaluation of the medium using 24 swab samples serially collected from the roots of the teeth of a healthy individual for whom metagenome sequencing data of a saliva sample are publicly available revealed that ASSM adjusted to concentrations of LVFX 0.5 mg/L, FOM 5 mg/L, CL 1 mg/L, and MNZ 2 mg/L and cultured anaerobically at 35°C for 7 days enabled the isolation of Actinomyces species from 37.5% of the samples. The inclusion of CL and MNZ in ASSM can also be useful for samples suspected of harbouring other bacterial species.  The selective isolation medium is expected to contribute to studies investigating the relationship between these bacteria and their pathogenesis or disease.
Mapping respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein interactions with the receptor IGF1R and the impact of alanine-scanning mutagenesis on viral infection
Authors: Hayes Rachel S. , Oraby Ahmed K. , Camargo Carolina , Marchant David J. , Sagan Selena M.
Published: January 2024

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has two main surface glycoproteins, the attachment glycoprotein (G) and the fusion (F) protein, which together mediate viral entry. Attachment is mediated by the RSV-G protein, while the RSV-F protein makes specific contact with the cellular insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R). This interaction leads to IGF1R activation and initiates a signalling cascade that calls the co-receptor, nucleolin, from the nucleus to the cell surface, where it can trigger viral fusion. We performed molecular docking analysis, which provided a potential set of 35 residues in IGF1R that may be important for interactions with RSV-F. We used alanine-scanning mutagenesis to generate IGF1R mutants and assessed their abundance and maturation, as well as the effect of mutation on RSV infection. We identified several mutations that appear to inhibit IGF1R maturation; but surprisingly, these mutations had no significant effect on RSV infection. This suggests that maturation of IGF1R may not be required for RSV infection. Additionally, we identified one residue, S788, that, when mutated, significantly reduced RSV infection. Further analysis revealed that this mutation disrupted a hydrogen bonding network that may be important for both IGF1R maturation and RSV infection.