Dynamics of visual object coding within and across the hemispheres: Objects in the periphery.

The human brain continuously integrates information across its two hemispheres to construct a coherent representation of the perceptual world. Characterizing how visual information is represented in each hemisphere over time is crucial for understanding how hemispheric transfer contributes to perception. Here, we investigated information processing within each hemisphere over time and the degree to which it is distinct or duplicated across hemispheres.

The influence of fetal sex on antenatal maternal glucose and insulin dynamics.

The 'Developmental Origins of Health and Disease' (DOHaD) hypothesis postulates that exposures during critical periods of development and growth, including maternal hyperglycemia, can have significant consequences for short- and long-term health in offspring. The influence of fetal status on maternal (patho)physiology is less well understood but gaining attention. Fetal sex specifically may be an independent risk factor for a range of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including increased gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) frequency with male fetuses in multi-ethnic populations.

Effect of ultrafine CO2 bubbles on Euglena gracilis Z growth with CO2 gas bubble size and chlorophyll content.

Microalgae have been explored as a viable alternative food source. Among them, Euglena gracilis stands out as a promising single-cell algae. However, the challenge lies in developing more efficient and cost-effective methods for industrial mass production of Euglena gracilis under controlled culture conditions.

Health checks for autistic adults: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Background: Autistic people commonly have physical and mental health conditions. They also frequently experience barriers to accessing healthcare, contributing to problems identifying and treating health conditions. These factors may lead to increased and earlier morbidity and lower average life expectancy for autistic people.

Understanding the coupled relationship between regional longevity and physical geographical environment in Hechi, Guangxi, China.

Healthy ageing plays an important role in ageing societies in many countries, and centenarians are a sign of longevity. Longevity and its determinants have become issues of global concern and also a focus of research. Although many disciplines have conducted out a series of studies on longevity phenomena, few studies have systematically considered the impact of geographical environmental factors.

Environmental exposure and cancer occurrence in dogs: a critical appraisal of evidence.

Cancer is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in humans and is also the leading cause of death in dogs. It is estimated that up to 20 % of human cancers can be explained by environmental exposures to carcinogens. It has been hypothesized that companion animals such as dogs could not only be a model for the complex pathogenic processes of human cancers, but also act as sentinels for environmental carcinogens due to their relative shorter longevity, spontaneous occurrence of tumours, and intimate relationship with our everyday environments.

Correlations of facial soft tissue thicknesses with craniometric dimensions improve craniofacial identification estimates: Fact or fiction?

Linear regression (LR) models that use cranial dimensions to estimate facial soft tissue thicknesses (FSTTs) have been posited by Simpson and Henneberg to assist craniofacial identification. For these regression equations to work well, the independent (craniometrics) and dependent (FSTTs) variables must be tightly correlated; however, such relationships have not been routinely demonstrated for adult humans. To examine the strength of these relationships further, this study employed magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to unambiguously measure cranial dimensions and FSTTs for 38 adult cadavers.

A graphical exploration of the relationship between parasite aggregation indices.

The level of aggregation in parasite populations is frequently incorporated into ecological studies. It is measured in various ways including variance-to-mean ratio, mean crowding, the k parameter of the negative binomial distribution and indices based on the Lorenz curve such as the Gini index (Poulin's D) and the Hoover index. Assuming the frequency distributions follow a negative binomial, we use contour plots to clarify the relationships between aggregation indices, mean abundance and prevalence.

Ecosystem Knowledge Should Replace Coexistence and Stability Assumptions in Ecological Network Modelling.

Quantitative population modelling is an invaluable tool for identifying the cascading effects of conservation on an ecosystem. When population data from monitoring programs is not available, deterministic ecosystem models have often been calibrated using the theoretical assumption that ecosystems have a stable, coexisting equilibrium. However, a growing body of literature suggests these theoretical assumptions are inappropriate for conservation contexts.

Floristic classifications and bioregionalizations are not predictors of intra-specific evolutionary patterns.

The relationship between intra-specific and inter-specific patterns and processes over evolutionary time is key to ecological investigations. We examine this relationship taking an approach of focussing on the association between vegetation and floristic classifications, summaries of inter-specific processes, and intra-specific genetic structuring. Applying an innovative, multispecies, and standardised population genomic approach, we test the relationship between vegetation mapping schemes and structuring of genetic variation across a large, environmentally heterogenous region in eastern Australia.

Critical Role of Nanomaterial Mechanical Properties in Drug Delivery, Nanovaccines and Beyond.

Nanomaterials have become essential in the daily lives, finding applications in food, skincare, drugs, and vaccines. Traditionally, the surface chemistry of nanoparticles (NPs) is considered the key factor in determining their interactions with biological systems. However, recent studies have shown that the mechanical properties of nanomaterials are equally important in regulating nano-bio interactions, though they have often been overlooked.

Bone Ingrowth Simulation Within the Hexanoid, a Novel Scaffold Design.

The utilization of bone scaffold implants represents a promising approach for repairing substantial bone defects. In recent years, various traditional scaffold structures have been developed and, with advances in materials biology and computer technology, novel scaffold designs are now being evaluated. This study investigated the effects of a novel scaffold unit cell design (Hexanoid) through a computational framework, comparing its performance to that of four well-known scaffold designs.

Ultrasound transducer disinfection for percutaneous procedures: A review of the evidence supporting guideline recommendations.

Introduction/purpose: There are varying international recommendations regarding the minimum level of disinfection required for ultrasound transducers used in percutaneous procedures. While some guidelines recommend high-level disinfection (HLD), others question the additional benefit this delivers over low-level disinfection (LLD).

Methods: This narrative review identifies current guidelines and evaluates the evidence used to support disinfection recommendations for ultrasound transducers used in percutaneous procedures.

Population pharmacokinetics and dosing simulations of temocillin in liver transplanted paediatric patients: a prospective, open-label, non-randomized study.

Objectives: Temocillin is a β-lactam antibiotic used for preventing or treating bacterial infections in liver-transplanted children. We characterized its pharmacokinetics in plasma and ascitic fluid and proposed dosing regimens that maximize achievement of effective drug exposures in this patient group.

Methods: Patients aged 6-36 months received 25 mg/kg/12h (n=14) or 25 mg/kg/8h (n=23).

Detecting ion-specific forces between fatty acid colloids and salt crystals in brines using colloidal probe AFM.

Hypothesis: Ion-specific forces in concentrated salt solutions play critical roles in many applications, ranging from biology to engineering, e.g., separating water-soluble minerals in brines by flotation using air bubbles.

Intermarrying MOF Glass and Lead Halide Perovskites for Artificial Photosynthesis.

The development of efficient artificial photosynthesis systems is crucial for sustainable chemical production, as they mimic natural processes to convert solar energy into chemical products, thereby addressing both energy and environmental challenges. The main bottlenecks in current research include fabricating highly selective, stable, and scalable catalysts, as well as effectively harnessing the full spectrum of light, particularly the low-energy, long-wavelength portion. Herein, we report a novel composite photocatalyst system based on lead halide perovskites embedded in functionalized MOF glass.

Eradication of commercial tobacco related disease and death.

The eradication of the commercial tobacco industry is a crucial goal for health and well-being, particularly from a public health and health justice perspective. The term 'eradication' is applied in epidemiology to mean the process and outcome of elimination of the-commercial tobacco industry as a human-made-agent of disease and death. In this commentary, we outline why the eradication of the tobacco industry is necessary, urgent and realistic.

Proteomic analysis of natural photoheterotrophic mixed consortium for biohydrogen production under nongrowing conditions.

A biohydrogen and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)-producing natural photoheterotrophic mixed culture composed mainly by Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Clostridium sp was studied by a proteomic analysis under non-growth conditions (nitrogen-absence and organic acids). Proteins in C. pasteurianum were upregulated, particularly those related to stress response.

Seroprevalence of canine distemper virus antibodies in free-roaming dogs in Cambodia.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) can infect a wide range of mammalian carnivores and can cause severe illness and death. Domestic dogs may be an important source of this virus for endangered wild carnivores. The objective of this study was to establish the presence of CDV in rural areas of Cambodia bordering three established protected habitats, and to determine the seroprevalence of CDV in free-roaming dogs inhabiting these areas.

Electronic and paper delivery of parent proxy and children's report of two scar-specific patient-reported outcome measures (Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profile and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale): An equivalence study.

Introduction: The Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profile (BBSIP) and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) are used in burn scar assessment to quantify patient health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). These questionnaires were developed using pen-and-paper delivery methods; however, there is a push towards electronic delivery of these questionnaires in both clinical practice and research. Equivalence testing is required to ensure that validity of these paper questionnaires is maintained electronically.

Mildly acidic pH boosts up CO conversion to isobutyrate in H driven gas fermentation system.

As a greenhouse gas, massive carbon dioxide (CO) has been generated due to organic matter degradation in wastewater treatment processes. Microbial gas fermentation offers a promising approach to capture CO and generate various valuable chemicals. However, limited studies have achieved branched or medium-chain fatty acids production via gas fermentation.

Potential Evolutionary Convergence in Trophic Adaptations of Two Booidean Snake Lineages as Evidenced by Skull Morphology.

Booidean snakes are a diverse and widespread lineage with an intriguing evolutionary and biogeographic history. By means of cranial morphology and osteology, this study investigates the evolutionary convergence in the Neotropical genera Boa and Corallus on the one hand and the Malagasy clade comprising Acrantophis and Sanzinia on the other. We hypothesize that the mostly arboreal Corallus and Sanzinia present larger jaws and longer teeth to keep hold of the prey and resist gravity and torsional forces acting on their skull while hanging from branches, while terrestrial genera such as Acrantophis show thinner jaws with shorter teeth because they can rely on the full length of their coils to immobilize and constrict the prey together with a substrate that supports the whole of their body.

A highly prevalent and specific cryptic plasmid pBI143 for human fecal pollution tracking in a subtropical urban river.

Microbial source tracking (MST) is a critical tool for identifying sources of human and animal fecal pollution in aquatic environments. To enhance human fecal pollution tracking, this study evaluated the performance characteristics of pBI143, a cryptic plasmid recently identified for potential MST applications. Nucleic acid samples from ten animal species were screened for pBI143, revealing its presence in a small number of pigs, cows, dogs, cats, and flying fox fecal samples.