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Protocol for investigating the warping of spatial experience across the blind spot to contrast predictions of the Integrated Information Theory and Predictive Processing accounts of consciousness
We investigate the subjective experience of space around the visual blind spot area, the cortical representation of which is missing feedforward connectivity from one eye. We performed these experiments as part of an adversarial collaboration to test contrasting theories of consciousness; Integrated Information Theory (IIT), Predictive Processing Active Inference (AI), and Predictive Processing Neurorepresentationalism (NREP) accounts. According to the Integrated Information Theory of consciousness, non-activatable retinotopic cortical regions, such as the blind spot region for the ipsilateral eye, create a different cause-effect structure and therefore should contribute differently to the perceived quality of space of activatable retinotopic regions. The two Predictive Processing accounts, in contrast, posit that internal models will accommodate structural deviations around the blind spot based on the available sensory evidence (particulars of this accommodation differ between the two accounts). We present a series of paradigms in which participants evaluate distances and areas that either include the blind spot or not (without stimulating it directly), as well as illusory motion that is either adjacent to the blind spot or not. We model psychometric functions relating perceived and objective space. These models vary in terms of bias and precision according to the experimental conditions (blind spot involved vs. not involved, ipsilateral vs. contralateral eye), making it possible to quantify the potential disruption of subjective spatial extendedness induced by the blind spot. We present simulated results for each experiment corresponding to the predictions of each account and conclude by discussing challenges and plans for dissemination.
The surprisingly big health benefits of just a little exercise
Correction: Reaching those at risk: Active case detection of leprosy and contact tracing at Kokosa, a hot spot district in Ethiopia
Low-power integrated optical amplification through second-harmonic resonance
Exploring the role of meaning in non-Māori speakers’ ‘proto-lexicon’
Previous work has demonstrated that New Zealanders who do not speak Māori but are regularly exposed to the language develop implicit knowledge of it. The core of this knowledge, it has been argued, is the ‘proto-lexicon’—a set of stored word-forms, without associated meaning, which yields subsequent Māori phonotactic and morphological knowledge. Previous research shows that having a proto-lexicon gives learners a head start in learning Māori word meanings in formal education. We investigate experimentally whether the proto-lexicon confers an advantage for attaching meanings to words. In Experiment 1, non-Māori-speaking New Zealanders were tested on their ability to identify meanings of Māori words in a forced-choice definition task, and they did this relatively well. Then, words with low accuracy were selected for Experiment 2, where non-Māori-speaking New Zealanders and non-New Zealanders were asked to learn meanings for Māori words and nonwords. New Zealanders performed better, indicating that familiarity with Māori word shapes confers an advantage. However, they showed no greater advantage for real words over nonwords. If these words are definitely in the proto-lexicon, then this would suggest that knowledge of individual word-forms does not, in fact, confer an advantage. In Experiment 3, we therefore explore whether the words in Experiment 2 are actually robustly in the participants’ proto-lexicon, by running a word identification task with the same participants. These words were not robustly distinguished from nonwords. By selecting words for their lack of semantic knowledge, we also inadvertently selected words that do not appear to be in the proto-lexicon. Together, our results indicate that different levels of semantic knowledge exist for different words, even when we consider only words that cannot confidently be said to be in a full lexicon. The results suggest that the claim of previous studies that the proto-lexicon is ‘without semantics’ may be oversimplified.
Six highlights from lung-health research
A randomised pilot trial of perioperative propranolol combined with celecoxib versus standard of care in stage III melanoma: The ProCel study protocol
In cutaneous melanoma patients, the presence of lymph node or in transit metastasis can be associated with poor survival. Adjuvant treatment with BRAF-MEK inhibitors or immunotherapy is costly and can cause side effects, so there remains a need for safe and inexpensive adjuvant treatments. Beta-blockers can control the pro-inflammatory stress response associated with surgery, and their use may attenuate the risk of melanoma progression. COX-2 may promote melanoma progression by increasing prostaglandin production, so COX-2 inhibition may be beneficial. This randomised controlled trial will be conducted at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Melanoma Institute Australia, and will include forty participants aged 18–85 years with nodal and/or in transit metastatic melanoma. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive propranolol combined with celecoxib perioperatively, or surgical management only. The primary objective is to determine the effect of propranolol combined with celecoxib on intra-tumoral immune cell populations and tumour proliferative markers, assessed using imaging mass cytometry. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the combination, as well as its effects on: 1) serum inflammatory markers; 2) quality of life; and 3) recurrence/progression rates. The trial is registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12624001353583). Protocol version 1 was submitted to PLOS One in February 2025. The trial is supported by Sydney Cancer Partners with funding from Cancer Institute NSW (Grant ID 2021/CBG0002). The sponsors are Sydney Local Health District and Melanoma Institute Australia.
Association analysis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae 23S rRNA gene mutation with refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children
Objective This study investigates the current status of macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and analyzes the relationship between mutations at the 23S rRNA A2063G and/or A2064G loci and refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 205 hospitalized children diagnosed with MPP at the Third Ward of the department of paediatrics, Jingzhou Central Hospital, from October 2023 to October 2024. Diagnosis was confirmed by pharyngeal MP nucleic acid testing and MP antibody titers ( MP -Ab ≥ 1:160). All patients were screened for macrolide-resistant gene mutations (A2063G/A2064G). Patients were categorized based on the presence of macrolide-resistant gene mutations and RMPP diagnosis. Clinical features, laboratory results, and treatments were compared between groups. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for RMPP. Results Among 205 children with MPP, 157 (76.6%) harbored A2063G/A2064G mutations. Of the 77 children with RMPP, 71 (92.2%) carried these mutations, showing a significant association ( P < 0.05). Compared to the non-resistant group, children with resistant mutations had prolonged fever duration, delayed defervescence after azithromycin, and required more bronchoscopic alveolar lavage ( P < 0.05). The RMPP group exhibited more severe symptoms, longer fever and hospital stays, higher inflammatory markers (CRP, LDH, D-dimer, ESR, PCT; P < 0.001), and more frequent pulmonary consolidation, pleural effusion, plastic bronchitis, and extrapulmonary involvement. Multivariate analysis identified macrolide-resistant mutations, fever duration, and D-dimer level as independent risk factors for RMPP. Conclusion The widespread macrolide resistance in M. pneumoniae (76.6% in this cohort) was associated with point mutations at the A2063G and/or A2064G loci in the 23S rRNA gene. The development of RMPP is linked to macrolide-resistant mutations, duration of fever and D-dimer levels. D-dimer emerged as the most predictive risk factor.
Methylation-specific, universal, and highly sensitive identification of ctDNA in prostate cancer by multiplex droplet digital PCR
Objective Liquid biopsy for detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) offers a promising, non-invasive strategy for real-time monitoring of cancer. We aimed to develop a universal and sensitive one-tube droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) multiplex assay able to detect ctDNA in plasma from metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Methods Publicly available array data are applied to identify methylation signatures specific to both normal and cancerous prostate tissue. The assay is based on the highly sensitive ddPCR technology, and tissue and plasma samples are analyzed using the QX600 ddPCR multiplexing platform from BioRad. Results We identified three novel genomic regions, ACTRT2 , EVX1, and HOXD13 , containing CpG-methylation signatures specific to normal and cancerous prostate tissue. We successfully targeted the three biomarkers in a single-tube methylation-specific multiplex ddPCR (mm-ddPCR) assay along with two previously reported PCa-specific hypermethylated CpG biomarkers, DOCK2 and HAPLN3 , and the ALB reference gene. The mm-ddPCR assay consistently detected ACTRT2 , EVX1, and HOXD13 across all samples originating from prostate-derived tissue. In contrast, the HAPLN3 and DOCK2 biomarkers were predominantly detected in PCa tissue. We also demonstrate that the five ctDNA biomarkers can be detected in plasma samples from metastatic castration-resistant PCa (mCRPC) patients with a 95% CI (85%, 100%) using the mm-ddPCR assay. Conclusion This work demonstrates that the mm-ddPCR assay offers a simple, fast, cost-effective, sensitive, and universal tool for the detection of ctDNA biomarkers in plasma from mCRPC patients. Further studies are required to explore its potential for PCa risk stratification and treatment guidance.
Exposome studies can improve lung health
Cooperative management practices how to influence the productive performance outcomes: Based on the analysis of China’s guangxi 94 farmers professional cooperatives
Objectives Research on the key factors that influence the productive outcomes of farmer professional cooperatives (FPCs) is essential to develop targeted management approaches that promote sustainable growth. This study investigates how cooperative management practices influence productive performance outcomes through an analysis of 94 FPCs in Guangxi, China. Methods Employing cluster analysis, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression, and mediation effect tests, the research categorizes management practices into five typologies (Comprehensive High-Efficiency, Collaboration-Deficient, Monitoring-Deficient, Planning-Deficient, Holistically Deficient) and links these to five distinct performance outcomes (Profitable Outreach High-Efficiency, Loss-Making Insular Low-Efficiency, etc.). Results Results reveal that management practices critically determine performance outcomes types. Regression analysis highlights planning practices significantly influenced profitability, while investment practices positively impacted employment generation. Internal governance practices were strongly associated with institutional compliance, and external collaboration practices had a significant effect on technology dissemination and community reputation.Monitoring practices, while not directly impacting performance outcomes, were found to enhance them through management practices and mechanisms. Key behavioral indicators—revenue planning, capital investment, staff capacity, and role optimization—emerge as primary levers for performance optimization. Conclusion This study underscore the critical role of management practices in shaping the performance of FPCs, suggestions include emphasizing efficient planning, investing in personnel training, and establishing dynamic adjustment mechanisms to ensure sustainable development. These findings provide empirical insights for optimizing rural collective governance and informing evidence-based policy interventions in developing agricultural economies.
Optical control of integer and fractional Chern insulators
Correction: Learning interventions and training methods in health emergencies: A scoping review
A study on the dissemination effectiveness and influencing factors of short videos in scientific journals: An empirical analysis based on the ELM model
Based on data analysis of 4,422 short videos from scientific journals, this study constructs a Dissemination Effectiveness Index comprising Likes, comments, Favorites, and shares. Using an Enhanced Logistic Model (ELM), it examines how different cues influence dissemination performance. Results indicate that video duration and visual quality show significant positive correlations with dissemination effectiveness, while subtitles and clear covers exert stable effects. The impact direction of Hashtags varies depending on usage patterns. Fan base size and content volume exhibit strong correlations with dissemination effectiveness, demonstrating significant moderating effects across several content characteristics. The study further reveals the limited relevance of verification badges, reflecting evolving trends in platform recommendation and user selection mechanisms. Interpreting these patterns through the lens of heuristic processing in algorithmic contexts, this research proposes practical recommendations for scientific journals in short video creation.
Could the regenerative power of the lungs help to reverse disease?
Reduced masticatory stimuli modulate myokine secretion in the masseter muscle in mice
Mastication is essential for oral function and systemic metabolic regulation. The impact of soft diets, which reduce masticatory load, on myokine signaling remains unclear. Accordingly, we examined whether reduced mastication alters myokine secretion from the masseter muscle and affects muscle development and systemic metabolic regulation. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed either hard or soft diets for short-term (1 week) or long-term (7 weeks). Body weight, masseter muscle weight, epididymal fat weight, and fiber cross-sectional area were assessed. The expression of key myokines (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, Nfkb1, and myostatin [Mstn]) was measured using qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction), and myostatin protein levels were evaluated using immunohistochemical assays. Short-term soft diet feeding did not produce any major morphological changes. However, long-term feeding significantly reduced masseter weight and fiber size, while increasing the amount of epididymal fat, despite an unchanged total body weight. At the molecular level, IL-6 expression was consistently lower in soft diet-fed mice, and IL-10 levels declined further with long-term feeding. In contrast, TNF-α, Nfkb1, and Mstn levels were elevated at both ages. The immunohistochemical assays confirmed increased myostatin protein levels in the masseter under soft-diet conditions. These results suggest that reduced masticatory stimulation remodels the biochemical environment of the masseter muscle, suppressing anabolic and anti-inflammatory signals while enhancing catabolic pathways. These alterations impair muscle growth and promote fat accumulation indicating that masticatory load regulates craniofacial muscle development and systemic metabolism through myokine-mediated mechanisms. Therefore, maintaining adequate mastication during growth may be critical for oral health, body composition, and long-term metabolic homeostasis.
Aberrant skeletal muscle morphogenesis and myofiber differentiation characterize equine myotonic dystrophy
Equine myotonic dystrophy (eMD) is a rare neuromuscular disorder of undetermined origin marked by muscle hypertrophy and stiffness, dystrophic muscle histopathology, and myotonic discharges. In humans, myotonic dystrophy (DM) arises from trinucleotide repeat expansions in dystrophia myotonica protein kinase ( DMPK ) (DM1) or tetranucleotide expansions in cellular nucleic acid-binding protein ( CNBP ) (DM2), which disrupt mRNA processing and induce embryonic splicing patterns across multiple genes. In 6 eMD Quarter Horse types, (2–36 months-of-age) and 8 control Quarter Horses we determined: (1) fiber type composition of triceps , gluteal, and semimembranosus muscles; (2) differential gene (DEG) and protein (DEP) expression using transcriptomic and proteomic analyses; (3) presence of repeat expansions in transcripts of DMPK or CNBP and (4) exon 7 retention in CLCN1 or exon 22 splicing in ATP2A1 . Predominance and clustering of type 1 fibers, expression of embryonic myosin, and upregulated mitochondrial and sarcomeric DEPs characterized eMD hindlimb musculature. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of 730 upregulated DEGs identified numerous GO terms related to morphogenesis of mesoderm-derived tissues and upregulated genes impacting myoD expression in eMD muscle. Top upregulated DEG involved myogenesis ( MYOZ2, SBK2, SBK3, PAMR1 ), neurons, transcription/translation, cytoskeleton, basement/plasma membranes, and calcium binding/transport. Top upregulated proteins also impacted muscle morphogenesis (MUSTN1, CSRP3, TMSBX4, PDLIM, CALD1) as well as categories of mitochondria, sarcomere, extracellular matrix/ basement membrane, transcription, translation, cell cycle regulation, neurons amongst others. Downregulated DEP primarily impacted mitochondria, the sarcomere and glycogen metabolism. Notably, unlike human myotonic dystrophy, trinucleotide repeat expansions were not found in the DMPK 3’UTR (CTG) n nor tetranucleotide repeat expansions (CCTG) n in intron 1 of CNBP . Isoforms of CLCN1 containing fetal exon 7 were detected in equal frequency in eMD and control muscle and exon 22 was not alternatively spliced in ATP2A1 as has been found in DM1. Thus, distinct from DM1 and DM2, eMD is driven by unique molecular mechanisms impacting skeletal muscle morphogenesis, neurons and regulation of gene transcription/translation that alter fiber type composition, distribution and morphology. The origin of myotonia does not appear to be driven by a mutation in CLCN1 or retention of exon CLCN 7. Expanded splice site analysis and further research is warranted to elucidate the cause of myotonia and the distinct etiology of eMD.
Effect of perchlorate on biocementation capable bacteria and Martian bricks
With the recent discovery of perchlorate (0.5–1%) in Martian regolith, more experiments related to the impact of perchlorate on microbial life are crucial to understanding the possibility of earth life forms that could sustain on the Martian terrain. While we are familiar with the idea of bioconsolidated Martian bricks made via Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP), studies on the effect of perchlorate on Martian bricks & biocementation capable microbes have been obscure. In this work, we investigated the effect of perchlorate (MgClO 4 - salt) on a lab-isolated biocementation capable bacteria & Martian bricks bioconsolidated by the same, with 1% perchlorate in Mars Global Simulant-1 (MGS-1). The screening of biocementation-capable bacteria involved phenol red assay for urease activity followed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) study of the precipitate formed through MICP via ureolytic pathway. The biocementation capable bacterium SI_IISc_isolate was found to be phylogenetically closest to Sporosarcina pasteurii strain S2135 with a draft genome size of 3.69 Mb. To understand the effect of perchlorate on SI_IISc_isolate, we majorly relied on Gram-staining & SEM. The negative effect of perchlorate stress on the isolate was evident by its decreased growth in the presence of varying concentrations of perchlorate through plate assays, growth curve studies in broth & live-dead staining. Gram-staining study and SEM both revealed that perchlorate induces the release of extracellular matrix (ECM) and promotes clustering of cells by the bacteria, which we termed as ‘multicellularity-like behavior.’ Further, we constructed Martian bricks with Martian Global Simulant (MGS-1) along with 1% perchlorate, utilizing the microbially induced calcite precipitation ability of the Sporosarcina sp. strain SI_IISc_isolate via ureolysis, following an established protocol at our lab. The bioconsolidation experiments showed that in the presence of a natural adhesive – guar gum, perchlorate tends to significantly improve the compressive strength of Martian bricks. However, the end result eventually relies on the overall effect of various additives in the regolith.
The impact of tournament incentives on corporate credit repair: Evidence from China
This study investigates the impact of tournament incentives on corporate credit repair and re-repair. Drawing on tournament and agency theory, respectively, we argue that tournament incentives improve corporate credit repair and re-repair by motivating non-CEO executives' effort and risk-taking, and by inducing incumbent CEOs to supervise subordinates to restrain opportunistic behavior. Using data from Chinese listed companies from 2009 to 2023 and employing SHAP values and benchmark traditional econometric methods, our results show that tournament incentives have a positive impact on corporate credit repair and re-repair. Furthermore, CEO shareholding strengthens the positive impact of tournament incentives on corporate credit repair, whereas firm age weakens the positive impact of tournament incentives on corporate credit repair. Additionally, firm size and leverage weaken the positive impact of tournament incentives on corporate credit re-repair. This paper sheds light on the role of tournament incentives on corporate executives for policymakers to enhance corporate credit repair.