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Post-encoding administration of oxytocin selectively enhances memory consolidation of male faces in females
Oxytocin plays a critical role in modulating social cognition and enhancing human memory for faces. However, it remains unclear which phase of memory oxytocin affects to enhance face memory. Our study explored oxytocin’s potential to selectively enhance the consolidation of social memories, specifically human faces, and whether this effect varies between genders. In three preregistered, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials with heterosexual participants (total N = 445, comprising 227 males and 218 females), we explored how oxytocin affects memory consolidation. We administered oxytocin immediately after encoding (i.e., Study 1), before retrieval (i.e., Study 2), and before encoding (i.e., Study 3) in three parallel studies. This design allowed us to confirm that oxytocin’s effects were indeed due to consolidation rather than retrieval or encoding. We found that administering oxytocin post-encoding, but not before-retrieval or before-encoding, significantly improved female participants’ ability to recognize male faces 24 h later, with no similar enhancement observed in males recognizing opposite-gender faces. Together with our analyses of the social placebo effect—where the belief in receiving oxytocin produces effects similar to those of actual intranasal oxytocin administration—and the approachability ratings during encoding, we concluded that oxytocin specifically enhances the consolidation of long-term social memories in women recognizing male faces. These findings imply that oxytocin selectively enhances the consolidation of human social memory, potentially deepening our understanding of the mechanisms underlying social memory processes.
Intent classification for university administrative services using a bidirectional recurrent neural network modified by a developed Kepler optimization algorithm
Mangrove restoration and coastal flood adaptation: A global perspective on the potential for hybrid coastal defenses
To reduce current and future coastal flood risk, it is critical to better understand how adaptation measures, including nature-based solutions, can reduce that risk. Globally, hybrid coastal defenses, including a combination of coastal vegetation, such as salt marshes and mangroves, with a dike or sea wall, have been highlighted as a promising adaptation measure. Here, we present a global-scale assessment of the potential risk reduction from mangrove restoration in combination with foreshore dike systems under scenarios of climate and socioeconomic change. We provide a quantitative assessment of the benefits in terms of reduced economic damage, exposed population, and poverty exposure. We evaluate mangrove restoration fronting dikes by accounting for wave–vegetation interaction. If mangrove foreshore dike systems were established along coastlines susceptible to flooding, restoration could potentially reduce expected annual damage by US$800 million and reduce expected affected population by 140,000 annually. These values increase under future projections. Our benefit–cost analysis finds mangrove restoration economically viable for about half of the subnational regions assessed (85 to 105 out of 208). At the global scale, the benefit–cost ratio under future conditions ranges from 3 to 6, with a net present value between US$44 billion and US$125 billion. Because absolute risk values and benefit–cost analysis do not differentiate between relative wealth impacts, we also estimated restoration impacts across different wealth levels. We show that restoring mangroves disproportionately benefits people with lower incomes, as they are often more exposed to coastal flooding and located in areas suitable for mangrove restoration. As such, mangrove restoration in low- and middle-income countries could contribute to the resilience of people in poverty.
AI-enhanced virtual reality martial arts training: how technology readiness, instructional design, usefulness, and instructor competency drive learning performance through cognitive absorption
Abstract Artificial intelligence–enhanced virtual reality (AI-VR) holds significant potential for complex psychomotor skills training, such as in martial arts. However, the psychological pathways through which its features influence learning outcomes are not well understood. This study introduces and tests the Technology-Enhanced Experiential Learning (TEEL) framework, which posits cognitive absorption as the central mediator between key factors and learning performance. A mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitatively, survey and system-usage data were collected from 847 martial artists across 23 facilities after six supervised AI-VR sessions. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and bootstrap mediation analyses were used to test the framework. Qualitatively, 45 semi-structured interviews were thematically analyzed and integrated with the quantitative findings. The model demonstrated strong fit and explanatory power (R² = 0.732 for Learning Performance). Technology Readiness, Instructional Design Quality, Instructor Competency, and Perceived Usefulness all significantly predicted Cognitive Absorption (β = 0.387 to 0.251, p < 0.001), which in turn strongly predicted Learning Performance (β = 0.791, p < 0.001). Cognitive Absorption fully mediated all antecedent relationships. The AI-enhanced model outperformed a VR-only baseline, and usage analytics confirmed significant skill improvement, with strike accuracy increasing from 64.2% to 87.6%. The findings validate the TEEL framework, establishing cognitive absorption as the core mechanism through which technological and pedagogical factors enhance learning in AI-VR martial arts training. This underscores the value of AI components and highlights design priorities for creating deeply engaging and effective training systems.
Ubiquitination of BAM1 attenuates CLE peptide–mediated signaling in the root apical meristem
The plasma membrane-resident receptor-like kinases (RLKs) and their cognate peptide ligands play crucial roles in plant growth and development. The RLK BARELY ANY MERISTEM1 (BAM1) promotes phloem formation and regulates other aspects of root development. However, the mechanisms governing BAM1 protein degradation remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that two closely related ubiquitin ligases, RING DOMAIN LIGASE 1 (RGLG1) and RGLG2, specifically interact with BAM1 and its closest homolog BAM2. RGLG1/2 ubiquitinate BAM1/2 and mediate their degradation, thereby dampening BAM1/2 signaling. Treatment with the peptide CLE13 (CLV3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION-RELATED 13) enhances the BAM1/2-RGLG2 interaction and the ubiquitin ligase activity of RGLG2, resulting in increased ubiquitination and degradation of BAM1/2 by RGLG1/2. The rglg1 rglg2 double mutant exhibits increased sensitivity to CLE13 compared to the wild type. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that RGLG1/2-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of BAM1/2 attenuate CLE13-mediated signaling in root meristem.
Electronically switchable dual-band capsule antenna for wireless endoscopic applications
Coral reef fish may be more important than we thought
Mediation role of artificial intelligence exposure in adverse childhood experiences: related mental health risks among college students
Synthesis and anticancer evaluation of novel thioimidazole derivatives bearing a trimethoxyphenyl moiety
Polar vortex dynamics on gas giants: Insights from 2D energy cascades
The distinct polar vortex dynamics observed on Jupiter and Saturn may provide insights into their interiors. In this study, we examine how the number and structure of polar vortices vary with forcing strength, dissipation rate, and interior stratification using a 1.5-layer quasi-geostrophic model. This simplified setup enables a broad exploration of the parameter space, revealing that vortex characteristics are determined by the sequence in which three key length scales—the deformation radius L d , the zonostrophic scale L γ , and the dissipative scale L μ —are encountered as energy cascades from small to large scales. Four distinct vortex patterns are identified, including a vortex crystal resembling Jupiter’s polar vortices and a single-vortex state akin to that of Saturn. The conditions under which these patterns emerge provide constraints on the stratification of Jupiter and Saturn.
First-principles study of X2TlAgCl6 (X = K, Rb, Cs) double perovskites for high-performance optoelectronic and thermoelectric devices
Functionally heterogeneous intratumoral CD4 <sup>+</sup> CD8 <sup>+</sup> double-positive T cells can give rise to single-positive T cells
Conventional single-positive (SP) CD4 + and CD8 + T cells recognize tumor antigens and help mediate clinical responses with cancer immunotherapy. Double-positive CD4 + CD8 + (DP) T cells have also been described in human cancers, but their role in the tumor microenvironment remains unclear. By generating a multiomic single cell atlas of DP and SP T cells, we find that DP T cells possess phenotypic heterogeneity similar to SP T cells that includes multiple clonally expanded populations of cytotoxic DP T cells in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC). These intratumoral DP T cells can mediate both MHC class I- and class II-dependent killing of autologous tumor cells. In addition, transcriptional profiling of DP TCR-bearing T cells revealed a gene signature enriched for clinical responders to PD-1 blockade in advanced RCC. We confirm prior observations of SP T cells transitioning into DP T cells and more notably, demonstrate that intratumoral T cells are capable of bidirectional differentiation in which DP T cells serve as precursors to SP T cell sin vivo. In the latter scenario, intratumoral DP T cells are shown to express Rag2 , suggesting that the tumor may act as an extrathymic site of T cell development. These findings reveal the multiple roles that DP T cells can possess in antitumor immunity.
Dirac bound states in the continuum in honeycomb photonic crystal slabs
Sleep loss induces cholesterol-associated myelin dysfunction
The increasing prevalence of sleep deprivation poses a public health challenge in modern society. Manifestations of reduced alertness, such as slowed reaction times and increased errors, are well-documented behavioral indicators of sleep loss (SL). Yet, the biological consequences of sleep deprivation and their role in behavioral impairment remain elusive. Our study reveals significant effects of sleep deprivation on myelin integrity. As a result, we identify increased conduction delays in nerve signal propagation, hindered interhemispheric synchronization, and impaired cognitive and motor performance associated with SL. By profiling oligodendrocyte transcriptome and lipidome, we observe SL-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and lipid metabolism dysregulation, particularly affecting cholesterol homeostasis. Boosting cholesterol transport to myelin sheaths prevents SL effects on nerve signal propagation and behavior. Our findings highlight a possible role of oligodendrocyte cholesterol dysregulation in behavioral deficits associated with SL and unveil a novel target for intervention.
Techno economic integrated planning of solar integrated electric vehicle charging infrastructure in India using an AI enabled multi objective planning framework
Soft giant magnetoimpedance electronics enable contact-free human–machine interactions
Magnetic sensing enables contact-free, three-dimensional human–machine interactions (HMI) with high selectivity and resilience to environmental noise. However, conventional magnetic films, mostly obtained via vacuum deposition, remain constrained by rigidity, instantaneous response, and single-mode. Here, we report a giant magnetoimpedance ionogel (GelGMI) in which electrostatically self-assembled ferromagnetic (FM) domains are uniformly dispersed in a soft ionogel matrix. Under a magnetic field, domain moments realign to reconfigure ionic pathways, yielding pronounced magnetoimpedance while maintaining performance at >1,000% strain and across orientations. The hysteretic relaxation of domain magnetization imparts retrospective neuron-like temporal summation, realizing sequence- and context-aware interaction. In addition, the self-healable matrix supports a complementary tactile mode whose impedance contrasts with contact-free magnetic proximity, enabling expandable and bimodal recognition. GelGMI delivers a record-high sensitivity while unifying stretchable, neuromorphic, and healable capabilities for contact-free HMI systems.
Comparison of kinetic adaptations in gait initiation following exergaming and balance training in athletes with chronic ankle instability
Real-time spatiotemporal tracking of infectious outbreaks in confined environments with a host–pathogen agent-based system
Deadly infection outbreaks in confined spaces, whether it is a COVID-19 outbreak on a cruise ship or measles and stomach flu outbreaks in schools, can be characterized by their rapid spread due to the abundance of common spaces, shared airways, and high population density. Preventing future outbreaks and developing efficient mitigation protocols can benefit from advanced computational modeling approaches. Here, we developed an agent-based modeling approach to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of an infection outbreak in a confined environment caused by a specific pathogen, and to determine effective containment protocols. The approach integrates the 3D geographic information system of a confined environment, behavior of the hosts, key biological parameters about the pathogen obtained from the experimental data, and the general mechanics of host–pathogen and pathogen–fomite interactions. To assess our approach, we applied it to the historical data of infectious outbreaks caused by norovirus, H1N1 influenza A, and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Our AI-GIS Infection Dynamics (AGID) model accurately predicted daily infection numbers, correctly identified the day when the CDC vessel sanitation protocol would be triggered, singled out key biological parameters affecting the infection spread, and propose pathogen-specific changes to existing containment protocols. Our work advances the understanding of infection spread on cruise ships while offering insights applicable to other similar confined settings, such as nursing homes, schools, and hospitals. By providing a robust framework for real-time outbreak modeling, this study proposes more effective containment protocols and enhances our preparedness for managing infectious diseases and emerging pathogens in confined environments.