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Optimal sigmoid function models for analysis of transspinal evoked potential recruitment curves recorded from different muscles

Recruitment input-output curves of transspinal evoked potentials that represent the net output of spinal neuronal networks during which cortical, spinal and peripheral inputs are integrated as well as motor evoked potentials and H-reflexes are used extensively in research as neurophysiological biomarkers to establish physiological or pathological motor behavior and post-treatment recovery. A comparison between different sigmoidal models to fit the transspinal evoked potentials recruitment curve and estimate the parameters of physiological importance has not been performed. This study sought to address this gap by fitting eight sigmoidal models (Boltzmann, Hill, Log-Logistic, Log-Normal, Weibull-1, Weibull-2, Gompertz, Extreme Value Function) to the transspinal evoked potentials recruitment curves of soleus and tibialis anterior recorded under four different cathodal stimulation settings. The sigmoidal models were ranked based on the Akaike information criterion, and their performance was assessed in terms of Akaike differences and weights values. Additionally, an interclass correlation coefficient between the predicted parameters derived from the best models fitted to the recruitment curves was also established. A Bland-Altman analysis was conducted to evaluate the agreement between the predicted parameters from the best models. The findings revealed a muscle dependency, with the Boltzmann and Hill models identified as the best fits for the soleus, while the Extreme Value Function and Boltzmann models were optimal for the tibialis anterior transspinal evoked potentials recruitment curves. Excellent agreement for the upper asymptote, slope, and inflection point parameters was found between Boltzmann and Hill models for the soleus, and for the slope and inflection point parameters between Extreme Value Function and Boltzmann models for the tibialis anterior. Notably, the Boltzmann model for soleus and the Extreme Value Function model for tibialis anterior exhibited less susceptibility to inaccuracies in estimated parameters. Based on these findings, we suggest the Boltzmann and the Extreme Value Function models for fitting the soleus and the tibialis anterior transspinal evoked potentials recruitment curve, respectively.

Phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity of Tunisian maize landraces

Based on history, maize was first introduced into Tunisia and northern Africa, at large, from the south of Spain. Several subsequent introductions were made from diverse origins, generating new landraces by recombination and selection for adaptation to arid environments. This study aimed to investigate the phylogenetic relationships among Tunisian maize landraces with possible sources of introduction from neighboring countries. Ten Tunisian landraces were genotyped with 23656SNPs along with a panel of diversity of 171 landraces originating from Algeria, Europe, and America. The Tunisian maize landraces were very diverse and distinct from those from neighboring countries, and they were classified into three main clusters that could be the basis for investigating heterotic groups. The phylogenetic relationships among Tunisian and other landraces from neighboring countries supported the hypothesis of a first introduction from the south of Spain and subsequent introductions from other countries. These germplasm groups could be the basis for studying heterotic patterns and sample maize germplasm from Tunisia and North Africa in general. The Tunisian maize germplasm could be a basis for identifying sources of favorable alleles to improve tolerance to abiotic stresses.

Expert decision-making in clinicians: An auto-analytic ethnographic study of operational decision-making in urgent care

Objective To conceptualise the cognitive processes of early expert decision-making in urgent care. Background Expert clinicians in the UK frequently determine suitable urgent care patient pathways via telephone triage. This strategy is promoted by policymakers but how it is performed, and its effectiveness has not been evaluated. Evaluation of early senior decision-making requires knowledge of decision-processes, influences, and goals. Previous research has focused on diagnostic decision-making and rarely studied clinicians in the field. Method We triangulated analytic autoethnography of early expert decision-making with focused ethnography of experts and trainee doctors performing the task. The study took place in a medium-sized Acute Medical Unit which provided internal medical emergency care for a mixed urban and rural population in the UK. A grounded theoretical model of expert decision-making was created via Gioia Methodology. Decision types were categorised to identify differences in solutions as well as decision processes. Results The hallmarks of intuitive decision-making were found in most expert decisions. Experts made intuitive use of pattern-matching to extract key data from large volumes of information which triggered the spontaneous manifestation of solutions. Solutions were holistic and usually solitary. Upon manifestation solutions were consciously tested for viability with emotional affect playing a key role. Expert solutions were previously applied ones but were frequently entirely novel. Novel solution generation was not a feature of trainee decisions but moments of intuition were. Expert goals varied between optimal care for individual patients, system-wide efficiency, and equity of care. The decision environment had a large influence upon experts. Conclusion Expert clinicians employ intuitive decision-making supported by rational analysis in early urgent care decision-making. Expert solutions generated in this manner are pragmatic rather than optimal, context dependent, and seek to achieve goals which vary from moment-moment. Findings are crucial to inform research evaluating the effectiveness of early expert decision-making in urgent care as it is a high cost strategy. They also have implications for methodological approaches in future studies of expert clinical decision-making, developing artificial expert systems, and clinician training.

Was Aristotle right about moral decision-making? Building a new empirical model of practical wisdom

This article presents the development and validation of the Short Phronesis Measure (SPM), a novel tool to assess Aristotelian phronesis (practical wisdom). Across three studies, using large, nationally representative samples from the UK and US (demographically matched to census data), we employed a systematic and rigorous methodology to examine the structure, reliability, and validity of the SPM. In Study 1a, exploratory factor analysis identified ten distinct, internally reliable components of phronesis , challenging the traditional four-component Aristotelian model. Study 1b confirmed these findings in two additional nationally representative samples from the UK and the US. In Study 1c, the SPM demonstrated strong test-retest reliability over two months. Study 2 used network analysis to uncover interrelations among the components, allowing for the creation of a new and empirically driven neo -Aristotelian model of phronesis . In Study 3, we tested criterion validity, showing phronesis correlates positively with flourishing and predicts flourishing two months later, demonstrating strong predictive validity. Phronesis also correlated with Big 6 and Dark Tetrad personality traits, moral disengagement, and Moral Foundations in expected directions. Importantly, phronesis predicted key outcomes—related to flourishing, moral disengagement, and morally relevant aspects of personality—beyond what Moral Foundations alone explained, with an average increase in predictive power of 13.7% across all outcomes. The SPM is quick to administer (15–20 minutes), making it a valuable tool for researchers and practitioners in psychology, education, and professional ethics. The introduction of the neo-Aristotelian Phronesis Model, and the identification of central phronesis components, offers actionable insights for moral psychologists and moral educators, suggesting areas of focus that could yield broad, positive effects across related traits, providing a significant contribution to both theory and practice.

Life satisfaction around the world: Measurement invariance of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups

The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a widely used self-report measure of subjective well-being, but studies of its measurement invariance across a large number of nations remain limited. Here, we utilised the Body Image in Nature (BINS) dataset–with data collected between 2020 and 2022 –to assess measurement invariance of the SWLS across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups (N = 56,968). All participants completed the SWLS under largely uniform conditions. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis indicated that configural and metric invariance was upheld across all nations, languages, gender identities, and age groups, suggesting that the unidimensional SWLS model has universal applicability. Full scalar invariance was achieved across gender identities and age groups. Based on alignment optimisation methods, partial scalar invariance was achieved across all but three national groups and across all languages represented in the BINS. There were large differences in latent SWLS means across nations and languages, but negligible-to-small differences across gender identities and age groups. Across nations, greater life satisfaction was significantly associated with greater financial security and being in a committed relationship or married. The results of this study suggest that the SWLS largely assesses a common unidimensional construct of life satisfaction irrespective of respondent characteristics (i.e., national group, gender identities, and age group) or survey presentation (i.e., survey language). This has important implications for the assessment of life satisfaction across nations and provides information that will be useful for practitioners aiming to promote subjective well-being internationally.

New Molecular Photoswitch Based on the Conformational Transition of Phenothiazine Derivatives and Corresponding Triplet Emission Properties

Optimizing multi label student performance prediction with GNN-TINet: A contextual multidimensional deep learning framework

As education increasingly relies on data-driven methodologies, accurately predicting student performance is essential for implementing timely and effective interventions. The California Student Performance Dataset offers a distinctive basis for analyzing complex elements that affect educational results, such as student demographics, academic behaviours, and emotional health. This study presents the GNN-Transformer-InceptionNet (GNN-TINet) model to overcome the constraints of prior models that fail to effectively capture intricate interactions in multi-label contexts, where students may display numerous performance categories concurrently. The GNN-TINet utilizes InceptionNet, transformer architectures, and graph neural networks (GNN) to improve precision in multi-label student performance forecasting. Advanced preprocessing approaches, such as Contextual Frequency Encoding (CFI) and Contextual Adaptive Imputation (CAI), were used on a dataset of 97,000 occurrences. The model achieved exceptional outcomes, exceeding current standards with a Predictive Consistency Score (PCS) of 0.92 and an accuracy of 98.5%. Exploratory data analysis revealed significant relationships between GPA, homework completion, and parental involvement, emphasizing the complex nature of academic achievement. The results illustrate the GNN-TINet’s potential to identify at-risk pupils, providing a robust resource for educators and policymakers to improve learning outcomes. This study enhances educational data mining by enabling focused interventions that promote educational equality, tackling significant challenges in the domain.

Transformation of sperm structure in Octopus vulgaris: From spermatogenesis to spermatophoric release

The present study describes the differentiation process of male germ cells in Octopus vulgaris, the morphology of sperm in the testis and spermatophore, and the sperm released after the spermatophoric reaction. During spermatogenesis, the male sperm cell gradually elongates from a round shape, with cytoplasm shifting toward the head and the acrosome forming. Additionally, in the spermatid stage, the flagellum develops within the posterior nuclear channel and extends outside the cytoplasm. The sperm is composed of a head and a tail. The head is approximately 17.9 μm long and consists of a highly electron-dense nucleus and a helical acrosome. The tail is divided into three parts: the mid-piece, principal-piece, and end-piece. The mid-piece forms a mitochondrial sheath with 7–8 mitochondria surrounding a “9+2” axoneme. The principal-piece is composed of an axoneme, outer dense fibers, and fibrous sheath, while the end piece lacks outer dense fibers or fibrous sheath. The sperm in the testis and spermatophore, and the sperm released after the spermatophoric reaction have the same structure. However, in the sperm located in the testis and spermatophore, the structure of the acrosome is unclear due to the presence of cytoplasm in the head. In contrast, sperm released after the spermatophoric reaction lack their cytoplasm, revealing the helical acrosome. This unique sperm morphology, adapted for internal fertilization, is thought to be advantageous for fertilization and long-term storage within the female reproductive system.

Interlocked 2D Covalent Organic Frameworks from Overcrowded Nodes

Community responses to a novel house design: A qualitative study of “Star Homes” in Mtwara, southeastern Tanzania

Introduction To evaluate the impact of a novel design “Star Home” on the incidence of malaria, respiratory tract infections and diarrheal diseases among children, randomly selected households in Mtwara, Tanzania were offered a free, new Star Home. Drawing on longitudinal qualitative research that accompanied the Star Homes study, this article describes the experiences of residents and the wider community of living with these buildings. Methods A total of four rounds of face-to-face interviews were undertaken with residents of Star Homes (n = 37), control (wattle/daub) homes (n = 21), neighboring households n = 6), community members (n = 17) and community leaders (n = 6). The use of Star Homes was also observed over these four time periods between 2021 and 2023. Interviews were conducted in Swahili, transcribed, and translated into English for thematic analysis. Results Star Homes residents appreciated several aspects of the Star Homes, including overall comfort, access to water and electricity, and clean toilets. There were concerns about some design elements, such as poorly closing doors, stoves perceived as inefficient, and the façade, which was susceptible to rainwater ingress. The houses were not always used as intended by their developers, for example, residents were sleeping downstairs instead of upstairs because of cold floors or difficulties using the stairs. Star Homes residents described how the structures triggered praise but also envy from other community members. Conclusions The findings highlight the need for close attention to the use of novel design houses and careful sensitization around the potential benefits of dwellings to ensure that the intended health impacts of interventions are achieved.

Upcycling Poly(vinyl chloride) and Polystyrene Plastics Using Photothermal Conversion

Walking coral: Complex phototactic mobility in the free-living coral Cycloseris cyclolites

Not all corals are attached to the substrate; some taxa are solitary and free-living, allowing them to migrate into preferred habitats. However, the lifestyle of these mobile corals, including how they move and navigate for migration, remains largely obscure. This study investigates the specific biomechanics of Cycloseris cyclolites, a free-living coral species, during phototactic behaviour in response to blue and white light stimuli. Our results indicate a strong positive phototactic response to blue light with 86.7% (n = 15) of samples moving towards the light source, while only 20% (n = 15) samples responded similarly to white light (400–700 nm). Locomotion, characterised by periodic pulses lasting 1–2 hours, involved distances up to 220 mm in blue light trials, whereas significantly shorter distances were observed in white light trials (2, 5 and 8 mm). Trails with two light sources reinforced the preference for blue light over white, with all samples consistently moving towards the blue light and away from the white (11, 15 and 3mm). High-resolution time-laps captured the biomechanics of forward motion that appeared driven by three key factors: tissue inflation, which increased contact surface area for lift and friction; the ventral foot/pads, adjusting substrate interaction/friction; and the contraction and twisting of lateral peripheral tissues, which propelled the coral forward in a coordinated manner resembling the pulsed swimming motion of jellyfish. Our findings provide new insights into coral mobility mechanisms, emphasising the role of tissue inflation in active locomotion, with potential implications for coral neural systems, vision and habitat selection.

Constructs across a hierarchical, dimensional model of psychopathology show differential associations with social and general cognitive ability

Many psychiatric disorders and associated psychopathology dimensions are related to social cognitive deficits and reduced general cognitive ability. The current study applied a hierarchical, dimensional approach to better understand associations among psychopathology, social cognition, and general cognitive ability. Data were collected from two samples (n = 653), including psychosis-spectrum patients, their first-degree relatives, and individuals from community sources. Participants completed dimensional psychopathology measures and social cognition tasks (e.g., emotion perception and mentalizing). Data were analyzed using bi-factor exploratory structural equation modeling. Detachment—a psychopathology dimension conceptually linked to social functioning—was associated with worse social cognition, independent of general cognitive ability. Eccentricity and Machiavellianism were associated with better social cognition and general cognitive ability. Findings—and the hierarchical, dimensional approach employed—will be useful in informing future research on and interventions for social dysfunction.

Tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics and targeted hormone analysis reveal the response to insect herbivory stress in Ginseng (Panax ginseng, L.)

Ginsenosides are the most important secondary metabolites of ginseng. Ginseng has developed certain insect resistance properties during the course of evolutionary environmental adaptation. However, the mechanism underlying the insect resistance of ginseng is poorly understood. To elucidate the insect resistance mechanism of ginseng, we performed stress experiments on ginseng inoculated with black chafer larvae. The contents of ginsenosides in the ginseng roots, stems and leaves were determined at 0, 72, 120 and 168 h after the inoculation of insects. The tandem-mass-tag technology was used to determine the protein phosphorylation sites. Plant hormones were analyzed by multiple reaction monitoring targeted metabolomics. The results showed that ginsenosides present in the stems and leaves were more responsive to insect herbivory treatment than those present in the roots. Through proteomics, we found that the expression of most of the differentially expressed proteins, including GAPC1, GAPC2, and CSD1, was downregulated by insect herbivory treatment, HSP81-3 expression was up-regulated under insect herbivory stress. Regarding plant hormones, abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid, Typhasterol (TY), iopentene adenine (IP), Cytokinin Riboside (czR) and Thiamethasone (tZ) levels were increased by herbivory treatment. With the increase in herbivory treatment time, the levels of trans-Zeatin-riboside (tzR), Isopentenyl adenosine riboside (iPR), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were increased after 168h. The levels of salicylic acid (SA), jasmonates (JA), cis-PODA, and JA-Ile were increased after 120h but decreased thereafter. Under stress conditions, the expression of many antioxidant-related proteins was down-regulated; however, HSP81-3 expression was up-regulated, indicating that the plants exhibited severe oxidative stress. In conclusion, HSP81-3 plays an important role in ABA-dependent regulations involved in response to insect herbivory stress in ginseng. GAPC1 and GAPC2 also participate in the process of anti-herbivory stress response in ginseng.

Non-dominant hand contractions do not facilitate performance under pressure in common desktop tasks

Non-dominant hand contractions (NDHCs) have been shown to help expert motor skills in high-pressure scenarios that induce performance anxiety. Most studies of NHDCs under pressure have examined benefits in overlearned specialist movements (e.g., sporting skills), while few have considered if NDHCs can aid common movements with population-wide expertise (e.g., typing). Accordingly, across three experiments, we explored if NDHCs could protect or facilitate performance under time and/or evaluation pressure in a cursor positioning task (Experiments 1 & 2) and a typing task (Experiment 3). Despite varying the nature of the task, pressure manipulation, and design, and successfully manipulating state anxiety in each experiment, we found no evidence that NDHCs assist performance under pressure in these tasks. For the pressure × contraction condition interaction, the largest inclusion Bayes Factor was .40 for task response time and .62 for task error (Experiment 1), indicating evidence in favour of a null result. Our results, along with other recent studies in this area, cast doubt on the benefits of NDHCs under pressure outside sporting tasks and underline the need for a better mechanistic account of the phenomenon.

Catalyst-Free Nitrogen Fixation by Microdroplets through a Radical-Mediated Disproportionation Mechanism under Ambient Conditions

Digital financial inclusion, population structure, and consumption upgrades: Evidence from China

This study empirically tests the role of population structure in the process of digital financial inclusion empowering the upgrading of consumption structure by taking 248 prefecture-level cities between 2013 and 2019 as the research objects. The results of this study are as follows. First, digital financial inclusion will expand the scale of consumption. Second, digital financial inclusion can promote the upgrading of consumption structure. Third, population structure will regulate the promotional effect of digital financial inclusion on the upgrading of consumption structure. Specifically, child dependency ratio has a positive moderating effect on digital financial inclusion-driven the upgrading of consumption structure. Moreover, sex ratio has a positive moderating effect on digital financial inclusion-driven the upgrading of consumption structure. Therefore, it is suggested that vigorously promote and develop digital financial inclusion, implement and improve the three-child policy, and expand the elderly consumer industry to better promote consumption upgrading.

Seasonal and periodic patterns in US COVID-19 mortality using the Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap

Since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, research into the existence, extent, and pattern of seasonality has been of the highest importance for public health preparation. This study uses a novel bandpass bootstrap approach called the Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap to investigate the periodically correlated components including seasonality within US COVID-19 mortality. Bootstrapping to produce confidence intervals for periodic characteristics such as the seasonal mean requires preservation of the periodically correlated component’s correlation structure during resampling. While other existing bootstrap methods can preserve the periodically correlated component correlation structure, filtration of that periodically correlated component’s frequency from interference is critical to bootstrap the periodically correlated component’s characteristics accurately and efficiently. The Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap filters the periodically correlated time series to reduce interference from other components such as noise. This greatly reduces bootstrapped confidence interval size and outperforms the statistical power and accuracy of other methods when estimating the periodic mean sampling distribution. Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap analysis of US COVID-19 mortality periodically correlated components is provided and compared against alternative bootstrapping methods. Results show that both methods find a significant seasonal component, but the Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap produces smaller confidence intervals and only the Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap found significant components at the second through the fifth harmonics of the seasonal component, as well as weekly component. This crucial evidence supporting the presence of a seasonal pattern and existence of additional periodically correlated components, their timing, and confidence intervals for their effect which will aid prediction and preparation for future COVID-19 responses.

Alkoxy-Directed Dienamine Catalysis in [4 + 2]-Cycloaddition: Enantioselective Synthesis of Benzo-[3]-ladderanol

Interleukin-1β rs16944 and rs1143627 polymorphisms and risk of developing major depressive disorder: A case-control study among Bangladeshi population

Background Epidemiological research suggests that altered levels of cytokine are associated with pathophysiology and the development of major depressive disorder (MDD). Based on earlier study, IL-1β rs16944 and rs1143627 polymorphisms may increase the risk of depression. Here, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between these polymorphisms and MDD susceptibility among the population in Bangladesh. Methods Blood samples were collected from 100 MDD patients and 70 matched controls. Study participants were evaluated by DSM-5 criteria and PCR-RFLP method were applied for genotyping. Results The IL1β rs1143627 and rs16944 polymorphisms were found to have a significant association with the risk of MDD. In case of rs1143627 CT heterozygous genotype (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.08–4.55, p-value = 0.029) and combined CT+TT (OR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.15–4.79, p-value = 0.019) genotype was strongly associated with the increased risk of MDD in comparison to CC common genotype. Moreover, the over-dominant model indicated a 2.15-fold higher risk for MDD development (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.05–4.40, p-value = 0.036). On the other hand, the IL1β rs16944 polymorphisms revealed that the TC+CC combined genotype in the dominant model showed a 2.06-fold increased risk for MDD development compared to the TT common homozygote (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.06–3.99, p-value = 0.032). Conclusion Studies suggests that IL1β rs16944 and rs1143627 polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of MDD. These findings will provide us with valuable insights into the pathophysiology of MDD.