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Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) selected for high social motivation rely on conspecifics for buffering but not learning in sociocognitive tasks

Social living is widely considered a key driver of cognitive evolution, yet individuals within a species and even within the same group can differ substantially in their sociability (i.e., an individual’s propensity to form and maintain social bonds), which can ultimately shape the social environment they experience by influencing how they interact with, respond to, and engage in it. How such individual variation in this personality trait affects social cognition, however, remains poorly understood. To address this question, we used two selectively bred lines of Japanese quail ( Coturnix japonica ) that consistently differ in social motivation, a key component of sociability, which we used as a proxy for this broader trait. In these lines, S+ individuals show high social motivation, whereas S- individuals show low social motivation. We compared their sociocognitive performance across three complementary tasks: a gaze following task, a social buffering task, and a social discrimination learning task. Our findings revealed that Japanese quail reliably followed the gaze of conspecifics, providing the first evidence of this ability in this species. However, there was no difference between lines, suggesting that basic gaze following into the distance is independent of social motivation. In contrast, line differences emerged in the other tasks. S+ quail were more sensitive and less adaptable in response to environmental changes, particularly under social isolation, although the presence of a conspecific strongly buffered these effects. S- quail, on the other hand, outperformed S+ individuals in the social discrimination learning task, rapidly exploiting available social cues to guide foraging decisions. Overall, this study demonstrates that social motivation modulates sociocognitive performance in a context-dependent manner. Rather than conferring a general cognitive advantage, divergent selection on social motivation leads to different strategies of social information use across tasks and contexts, highlighting the complex interplay between personality, social environment, and cognition.

Melan-YOLO: a dual-strategy framework with custom architectures for accurate and efficient underwater object detection

Association of intraoperative pulse pressure drop and minimum mean arterial pressure with postoperative length of stay: A stratified reanalysis of published data by age and sex

Objective Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) is associated with postoperative organ dysfunction, but no universal definition exists. Guidelines recommend a mean arterial pressure (MAP) threshold of 60–70 mmHg. Prolonged postoperative length of stay (pPOLOS) serves as a proxy for organ injury. This study explores the association between IOH and pPOLOS risk, accounting for patient characteristics (sex and age). Design Retrospective, single-center cohort study of adult patients undergoing general anesthesia for scheduled non-cardiac surgery between July 2017 and December 2019. Methods pPOLOS was defined as a LOS higher than the median value (main outcome). Relationships between pPOLOS risk and three previously identified IOH variables—drop in pulse pressure (DropPP: difference between maximum and minimum values), minimal MAP (MinMAP), and cumulative time with pulse pressure > 61 mmHg per hour of surgery (CumTimePP > 61 mmHg)—were modeled using piecewise linear splines. Results Our study examined 9,516 patients. For the whole population, the relationship between DropPP and pPOLOS risk was pseudolinear with no activation threshold (slope 0.29–0.52%/mmHg). For MinMAP, an activation threshold of 73 mmHg was identified, below which the association became linear (slope: −0.64%/mmHg). For CumTimePP > 61 mmHg, pPOLOS risk increased sharply (initial slope: 8.40%/min) and reached a saturation threshold at two minutes. Women demonstrated a lower pPOLOS risk and a lower IOH threshold than men. In contrast, older patients (≥65 years) exhibited a higher baseline pPOLOS risk and showed no identifiable IOH threshold. Conclusions The identified IOH threshold (MAP < 73 mmHg) is in line with values reported in the existing literature. Pulse pressure variability, age, and sex emerged as key determinants of pPOLOS risk.

Transposable elements are driving rapid adaptation of Enterococcus faecium

Stochastic driver compensation for road gradients across vehicle classes: a machine learning approach

Abstract Slopes often emerge as traffic bottlenecks, yet not all slopes lead to congestion. The relationship between slope capacity and factors like grade and length is complex and non-linear. Accurately estimating road slope capacity and mitigating traffic congestion remain challenges in traffic management. Drivers instinctively adjust vehicle acceleration or braking to counteract gravity, influencing vehicle speed and road capacity. However, traditional models often overlook these compensatory adjustments, leading to inaccurate predictions. This study introduces a novel approach using vehicle trajectory data and the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm to estimate driver compensations on slopes. The algorithm separates observed acceleration into baseline (flat road) and compensatory components. Data from field experiments with cars, trucks, and buses reveal that compensatory acceleration decreases with speed and remains predictable across different slopes. These findings enhance our understanding of slope impacts on traffic flow and provide valuable insights for traffic management and infrastructure design.

Bacterial contamination of surgical instruments in 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy: Incidence and risk factors

Purpose To evaluate the incidence of surgical instrument contamination associated with microincision vitrectomy surgery. Methods Ninety-six eyes from 86 immunocompetent patients who underwent 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy from December 2023 to February 2024 in our institution were retrospectively analyzed. Results Surgical instrument contamination was detected in 7 cases (7.3%). Bacterial species were isolated from the trocar, endoilluminator, and beveled probe. Postoperative endophthalmitis did not occur during the 2-month follow-up period. Use of preoperative antibacterial eye drops was significantly associated with lower risk of bacterial contamination. Conclusion Contamination may occur 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, even when preoperative antibacterial eye drops are used in conjunction with povidone-iodine irrigation and adequate vitreous dissection.

A quantitative model for predicting sedimentary-system apexes based on modern fluvial grain-size data and its application to paleogeographic reconstruction

The impact of China’s employee basic medical insurance outpatient pooling scheme on outpatient healthcare utilization among middle-aged adults

Background This study evaluates the association between China’s Employees’ Basic Medical Insurance (EBMI) outpatient pooling policy and outpatient service utilization among middle-aged insured individuals (aged 45–60). By analyzing outpatient service use, visit frequency, and out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures, the study documents utilization patterns associated with the policy and explores their implications for healthcare-seeking behavior among middle-aged enrollees, providing evidence that may inform future adjustments to outpatient coverage design. Methods Using cross-sectional data from the 2018 wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), this study employed a logistic regression model to examine the effect of the outpatient pooling policy and different levels of outpatient benefit coverage on the probability of outpatient visits. A zero-inflated negative binomial regression model was used to analyze the impact on the frequency of outpatient visits, and a Tobit model was applied to assess its effect on out-of-pocket outpatient expenditures. Although the analysis relies on 2018 pilot data, the core institutional mechanisms of outpatient pooling were retained in the post-2021 national framework, suggesting that behavioral responses observed in pilot regions may still be informative under the current reform framework. Results Implementation of the outpatient pooling policy was associated with a 5.0 percentage points higher probability of outpatient visits ( p  < 0.05) and a significantly higher visit frequency (IRR = 1.80, p  < 0.01). Predictive estimates indicate that expected out-of-pocket expenditure in policy regions was approximately 48% higher than in non-policy regions ( p  < 0.05). Regions with higher levels of outpatient benefit coverage exhibited stronger utilization responses. In addition, individuals with multiple chronic conditions demonstrated significantly greater outpatient healthcare utilization. Conclusions The EBMI outpatient pooling policy was associated with higher outpatient service utilization, suggesting improved access to previously unmet outpatient healthcare needs. However, additional adjustments may be required to better address the needs of patients with chronic conditions and to strengthen primary healthcare resources, thereby contributing to improvements in equity and efficiency.

Super-twisting sliding mode control of dopamine release in VTA dopaminergic neuron model: a simulation study

Abstract Modulation of dopaminergic signaling has emerged as a central topic in cognitive neuroscience, particularly in relation to neurological and psychiatric disorders. Although numerous computational models have been developed to investigate dopamine-related dynamics, most existing regulation approaches rely on open-loop stimulation strategies or biologically descriptive formulations. Such approaches lack feedback mechanisms and therefore cannot systematically compensate for parameter uncertainties, physiological variability, or external disturbances, which limits their robustness and practical applicability. To address these limitations, this study proposes a robust closed-loop control framework based on super-twisting sliding mode control (ST-SMC) for regulating dopamine release in a microscopic ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neuron model. The controller is designed to ensure robustness against significant parameter uncertainties (up to 75%) and external disturbances without requiring explicit system identification. Regulation is implemented at two complementary levels: direct membrane voltage control and firing rate–based control derived from membrane voltage dynamics. The firing rate formulation provides a practically measurable and clinically relevant control objective, particularly when direct membrane voltage regulation is not feasible. Simulation results demonstrate superior performance of the proposed method compared with proportional (P), proportional–integral–derivative (PID), and dual-threshold (DT) controllers. For membrane voltage regulation, the ST-SMC achieves a mean RMSE of 0.31 mV, outperforming P (0.65 mV), DT (17.57 mV), and PID (1.43 mV) controllers. For firing rate control, the proposed approach attains a mean RMSE of 0.67 Hz, compared to 0.94 Hz, 2.06 Hz, and 3.00 Hz for P, DT, and PID, respectively. Although the control energy in the firing rate scenario is slightly higher than that of the P controller, the method provides substantially improved tracking accuracy, reflecting an effective trade-off between precision and stimulation effort. Overall, the proposed ST-SMC framework offers a robust, accurate, and computationally efficient solution for closed-loop regulation of dopaminergic activity.

A preliminary cost-utility analysis of routine myasthenia gravis and thyroid dysfunction screening in acquired comitant Esotropia

This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of routine screening for acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Ab) and thyroid function tests (TFT) in patients with acquired comitant esotropia (ACE) without overt signs of myasthenia gravis (MG) or thyroid eye disease (TED). A retrospective cost–utility analysis was conducted in 110 patients at a Thai tertiary hospital between 2014 and 2024. A decision tree combined with a 10-year Markov model compared two strategies: no routine screening (symptom-triggered testing) and universal baseline screening with AChR-Ab and TFT. Costs were expressed in 2024 Thai Baht (THB) from a healthcare sector perspective, and outcomes were measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Model uncertainty was assessed using one-way sensitivity analyses and probabilistic sensitivity analysis with 10,000 simulations, incorporating downstream costs of follow-up, confirmatory evaluation, and treatment. In the base-case analysis incorporating real-world diagnostic accuracy, universal screening yielded higher QALYs (109.56 vs. 105.45) but also higher costs (฿2,826,680 vs. ฿1,653,500), resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of ฿285,360 per QALY gained. This exceeded Thailand’s willingness-to-pay threshold of ฿160,000–200,000 per QALY, indicating that universal screening was not cost-effective. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that most simulations were located in the northeast quadrant of the cost-effectiveness plane, reflecting greater effectiveness with higher cost, with many exceeding the willingness-to-pay threshold. Key drivers included MG prevalence, utility loss from undiagnosed MG, and AChR-Ab test cost. TFT screening contributed minimal benefit due to the very low prevalence of thyroid dysfunction. Universal AChR-Ab screening may improve early detection of MG in ACE, but it was not cost-effective under current assumptions. Exploratory targeted screening appeared relatively more efficient, and symptom-triggered thyroid testing may be a more appropriate approach. These findings are preliminary and require validation in larger studies.

PipeBench: a benchmarking framework for end-to-end machine learning pipelines

Contraceptive uptake and characteristics in the immediate postpartum period among women attending Tygerberg Academic Hospital

The immediate postpartum period is a unique opportunity to motivate and educate women on family planning options. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of family planning use in our setting. Secondary objectives include determining the frequency of the various methods used, the safety of the method(s), common risk factors, the interval spacing between births and associations with family planning method choices. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Tygerberg Academic Hospital, South Africa, which serves a predominantly low socioeconomic status and high-risk obstetric population. Medical records were assessed prospectively from January 2023 till July 2023. Data was collected and captured from maternity medical records on the day of discharge. The statistical analysis was done using frequencies and percentages, with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). A secondary bivariant analysis was done to evaluate the associations between these variables. Of the 1066 participants included, 97.5% (95%CI 96.5–98.5) received family planning. The majority of the patients (48.8%) requested the injectable depo medroxyprogesterone acetate. These patients who chose this method were on average younger (OR 0.962, p < 0.001), had a lower BMI (OR 0.983, p = 0.012), and were a higher parity (OR 0.721, p < 0.001). HIV positive women were also 35% less likely (OR 0.651, p = 0.008) to choose this method compared to other methods. Of the 1039 patients who had received family planning, 47.8% were classified into a World Health Organization medical eligibility category three. This was almost exclusively attributed due to patients who were breastfeeding and requested the depo medroxyprogesterone acetate as their family planning method postpartum. The majority (66%) of the patients had spaced their pregnancies more than two years apart. The exceptionally high prevalence of uptake of family planning indicates it can be successfully implemented in the postpartum period. Patients should be counselled individually on the safest and the most appropriate method.

Thermal and moisture characteristics of air from a galvanized steel tubular solar air heater for potential drying applications

Editorial Note: Do smart services promote sustainable green transformation? Evidence from Chinese listed manufacturing enterprises

Cortical thinning with increasing OSA severity stages in adult comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea and its relevance for respiration measures

Abstract The study aimed to analyze the alterations of cortical thickness (CT) in comorbidity of insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA) patients of varying severity and the relationships of these CT changes with clinical measures. The study included 34 COMISA patients and 24 healthy controls (HCs). The patients received structural MRI as well as measures associated with respiration, sleep, cognition, and mood, and were classified as mild and moderate (MC) or severe (SC) groups. The CT for COMISA was analyzed through surface-based morphometry (SBM). Voxel-wise differences in CT between two groups were analyzed. Individual CT maps of MC, SC, and HC groups were used in analysis of variance for investigating how COMISA severity at various stages affects CT. Partial correlation analysis was used for analyzing the relations between changes in CT and clinical measures. Reduced CT was located in four clusters, including left supramarginal gyrus, left precentral and postcentral gyri, right pericalcarine and lingual gyri, and right rostral and caudal middle frontal gyri in COMISA group. The CT of left supramarginal gyrus was found in MC group, whereas all four clusters in SC group Moreover, the partial correlation analysis results revealed that CT was significantly related to respiration measures (AHI and LSaO 2 ). In conclusion, our findings showed a greater cortical thinning with increasing OSA severity within the COMISA cohort, which was negatively correlated with respiration measures, suggesting that respiratory impairment (e.g., intermittent hypoxia) may contribute to the neuroanatomical alterations in these patients.

Driving factors in pediatric emergency department use: an ecological retrospective study

Background Pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) often face high volumes of low-acuity visits, reflecting gaps in primary care access and socio-economic disparities. We investigated how neighborhood socio-economic vulnerability, pediatrician availability, and proximity to the PED jointly influence PED utilization in Geneva, Switzerland. Methods In this retrospective ecological study (Jan 2023-Dec 2024), we aggregated all PED visits for children aged 0–16 years by neighborhood and Canadian Triage Acuity Scale (CTAS) level. Neighborhood visit incidence (unique patients per child population) was modeled using mixed-effects regression against a composite socio-economic vulnerability index (NSVI), pediatrician density within a 2 km radius, and distance to the PED, incorporating an exponential decay function for distance and postal code as a random intercept. Results There were 68,482 PED visits by 35,994 children (35.1% of Geneva under-16 population). Low-acuity visits (CTAS 4–5) comprised ~50% of encounters. Both distance and socio-economic vulnerability showed clear dose-response relationships, with stronger effects observed for lower-acuity visits, and no interaction effect between them. Overall, proximity accounted for up to 20.8% of non-urgent PED use, while neighborhood socio-economic vulnerability explained up to 19.7% of low acuity visits across Geneva. Pediatrician density showed a modest inverse association for low-acuity visits only. Conclusions Both proximity and socio-economic vulnerability are independent determinants of non-urgent PED use. Policies focusing only on primary care access risk missing key drivers of PED use, highlighting the need for locally tailored strategies such as community outreach near hospitals or programs to strengthen health literacy among families.

Comprehensive reliability-quality integration framework for enhancing gear performance in laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing process

Editorial Note: Does green credit promote green sustainable development in regional economies?—Empirical evidence from 280 cities in China

CAHA-Net: A novel MR image classification model based on DenseNet incorporating coordinate attention and hybrid augmentation

Movement, residency, and behavioral plasticity of reef manta rays in the Samarai Islands of Papua New Guinea

The reef manta ray ( Mobula alfredi ) is a highly mobile pelagic marine ray found throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, but investigation into their behavior and ecology within Papua New Guinea has not been previously undertaken. Furthermore, the home range, dispersal characteristics, and inter-seasonal fine-scale habitat use of this species is limited. To address these data gaps and investigate the vertical and horizontal habitat use of a previously unstudied population, SPLASH10-F-321A pop-off archival satellite tags were used to track ten adult individuals from 4–181 days between 2016–2018 across two distinct monsoonal periods in the Samarai Islands of Milne Bay, southeastern Papua New Guinea. Our findings indicate strong site-attached movement patterns for reef manta rays in this region, with 75% of relocations occurring within ten kilometers of the tagging site. While occasional movements beyond this range were observed, the maximum displacement distance was 86.9 km, and no consistent seasonal differences in horizontal displacement distance were detected. Tagged rays displayed a clear preference for the Samarai Islands and the Papuan Plateau across both monsoons, with shallow bathymetry and elevated chlorophyll-a values driving observed habitat preferences. We found evidence for shifts in vertical occupancy of the water column that corresponded with the mixed layer depth; dives were deeper when the mixed layer depth was shallow, suggesting that reef manta rays can exhibit behaviorally plastic responses to seasonal variations in oceanographic conditions. These findings provide the first insight into the movement ecology of this reef manta ray population that can be used to inform the development of economically valuable manta ray tourism practices and a sustainable management plan in the region.