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This study aims to shed light on the contribution of universal versus language specific factors on reading. We examined eye movements of Arabic readers and analyzed effects specific to Arabic such as perceptual complexity, diglossia and morphology, in addition to universal factors such as word length and frequency. Twenty native Arabic speakers read continuous texts in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) while their eye movements were monitored. A corpus-based analyses was carried to test effects specific to Arabic and effects of the benchmark eye movement factors. We found that perceptually more complex words received longer fixation durations, moreover, differences in processing words unique in MSA versus words shared between MSA and spoken Arabic Vernacular were found. This is the first indication for these effects during an eye movement reading task. However, the effect of morphological length was not significant when included in the model with all predictors. Lastly, the benchmark factors were significant showing effects for word length, word frequency and part of speech. Short and frequent words are processed faster than longer and less frequent words. Function words are often skipped. We conclude that eye movement of Arabic readers reflect proficient reading, yet they also exhibit an on-going challenge in processing the written language.

Purpose: We compare right-to-left and left-to-right orthographies to test the theory, derived from studying the latter, that small temporal asynchronies between the two eyes at the beginning and end of every fixation favor ocular prevalence for the left eye in the left hemifield and the right eye in the right hemifield. Ocular prevalence is the prioritizing of one eye's input in the conscious, fused binocular percept. Method: We analyze binocular eye-tracking data from the reading of multiline Arabic and Hebrew text by 28 Arabic (M = 28.7, SD = 7.2 years, 71% female) and 16 Hebrew (M = 30.1, SD = 7.9 years, 50% female) native speakers, respectively. Results: Critically, the complex pattern of asynchronies in Arabic and Hebrew resembles that reported for the left-to-right orthographies, English and Chinese, but with some particular differences that we attribute to left hemisphere specialization in word recognition. Conclusion: We conclude, first, that the oculomotor musculature plays an "embodied" role in the perception and cognition associated with reading. We further discuss how the evident hemispheric asymmetries in parafoveal lookahead may be reflected in the nature of the conventions of right-to-left scripts. We articulate the claim that the orthographic conventions of a language tend to reflect reading direction and hemispheric differences.

Mapping sea ice in the Arctic is essential for maritime navigation, and growing vessel traffic highlights the necessity of the timeliness and accuracy of sea ice charts. In addition, with the increased availability of satellite imagery, automation is becoming more important. The AutoICE Challenge investigates the possibility of creating deep learning models capable of mapping multiple sea ice parameters automatically from spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery and assesses the current state of the automatic-sea-ice-mapping scientific field. This was achieved by providing the tools and encouraging participants to adopt the paradigm of retrieving multiple sea ice parameters rather than the current focus on single sea ice parameters, such as concentration. The paper documents the efforts and analyses, compares, and discusses the performance of the top-five participants’ submissions. Participants were tasked with the development of machine learning algorithms mapping the total sea ice concentration, stage of development, and floe size using a state-of-the-art sea ice dataset with dual-polarised Sentinel-1 SAR images and 22 other relevant variables while using professionally labelled sea ice charts from multiple national ice services as reference data. The challenge had 129 teams representing a total of 179 participants, with 34 teams delivering 494 submissions, resulting in a participation rate of 26.4 %, and it was won by a team from the University of Waterloo. Participants were successful in training models capable of retrieving multiple sea ice parameters with convolutional neural networks and vision transformer models. The top participants scored best on the total sea ice concentration and stage of development, while the floe size was more difficult. Furthermore, participants offered intriguing approaches and ideas that could help propel future research within automatic sea ice mapping, such as applying high downsampling of SAR data to improve model efficiency and produce better results.

Abstract Although different ecological factors shape adaptative evolution in natural habitats, we know little about how their interactions impact local adaptation. Here we used eight generations of experimental evolution with outcrossing Brassica rapa plants as a model system, in eight treatment groups that varied in soil type, herbivory (with/without aphids), and pollination mode (hand- or bumblebee-pollination), to study how biotic interactions affect local adaptation to soil. First, we show that several plant traits evolved in response to biotic interactions in a soil-specific way. Second, using a reciprocal transplant experiment, we demonstrate that significant local adaptation to soil-type evolved in the “number of open flowers”, a trait used as a fitness proxy, but only in plants that evolved with herbivory and bee pollination. Whole genome re-sequencing of experimental lines revealed that biotic interactions caused a 10-fold increase in the number of SNPs across the genome with significant allele frequency change, and that alleles with opposite allele frequency change in different soil types (antagonistic pleiotropy) were most common in plants with an evolutionary history of herbivory and bee pollination. Our results demonstrate that the interaction with mutualists and antagonists can facilitate local adaptation to soil type through antagonistic pleiotropy.

Introduction & Purpose Sledding is a low-cost and accessible recreational activity popular in alpine regions. However, the risk of injury is high, especially for beginners or tourists, according to the Österreichisches Kuratorium für Alpine Sicherheit (2021). Therefore, promoting sledding safety is important to minimize the number of accidents and fatalities in the sport. Sterr (2019) says, the major reason behind an accident is often the lack of skill in steering the sled. Hence, it would be ideal to acquire the skill to steer before going on a track. In many fields skill training is done in virtual reality. Realism in skill training is a major aspect in the virtual worlds according to Newman et al. (2022). Therefore, the goal of VRodel was to create a virtual environment for training that is as close as reasonably possible to reality. Methods In the first step, an environment had to be chosen that would be safe yet effective for training the skill of steering the sled. Next, the sledding track of Kühtai was transferred to a virtual model by means of drone based photogrammetry. The three-dimensional model was then cleaned, polished, and set into the virtual valley that surrounds the track. In a third step, a game was developed in the virtual world to create a virtual training experience. Input from professional sledders and comparisons to time splits of the real track were used to adapt the physics. The user steers the sled by moving their hands in space to reflect the pulling of the reins and leaning into curves. To increase immersion, the safety training uses gamification aspects. As a fourth step, the game was tested by four experts from Rodel Austria and 49 beta-testers, which gave feedback about the realism. Results The project resulted in a virtual reality safety training for the sport of sledding, that excels the current sledding simulation games in terms of appearance and realism. This was underlined by the feedback from the experts of the Austrian Luge Federation and the beta-testers that gave the simulation an average score of 4.98 out on a scale from 1 to 7. In Figure 1, a glimpse of the virtual world is visible. Discussion Le Noury et al. (2022) mention the potential of extended reality for training a skill in sports in their review. They also outlined that this field showed low efficacy on improving motor skills in the past and more research is needed. This project is addressing the needs of society for safer luging and at the same time uses an approach that needs more research according to Le Noury et al. (2022). Therefore, not only the project’s goals have been met, but also a contribution to the scientific progress in this field was made. Conclusion The immersive nature of the VRodel training program successfully engaged users, particularly children, through its gamified elements. Furthermore, this initiative not only enables sledding on a virtual track but also enables a study on the efficacy of virtual skill training in sledding. References: Le Noury, P., Polman, R., Malone, M., & Gorman, A. (2022). A narrative review of the current state of extended reality technology and how it can be utilised in sport. Sports Medicine, 52, 1473–1489. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01669-0 Newman, M., Gatersleben, B., Wyles, K., & Ratcliffe, E. (2022). The use of virtual reality in environment experiences and the importance of realism. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 79, Article 101733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101733 Österreichisches Kuratorium für Alpine Sicherheit (2021). Der Zwischenbericht Winter 2021/22 liegt vor: 111 Alpintote in Österreichs Bergen (Mittel 10 Jahre: 113). Insgesamt verunfallten 6.716 Personen in Österreich. Die alpinen Unfallzahlen nehmen im Vergleich zum Vorwinter (2.476 Verunfallte) und dem langjährigen Mittel wieder Fahrt auf (Mittel 10 Jahre: 7.242) [The Winter 2021/22 interim Report is available: 111 Alpine fatalities in Austria‘s mountains (average 10 years: 113). A total of 6,716 people had an accident in Austria. Compared to the previous winter (2,476 accidents) and the long-term average (10-year average: 7,242), the number of alpine accidents is picking up again.]. https://alpinesicherheit.at/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/PA-2022-Winter-2021_22_12042022.pdf Sterr, R. (2019). Rodeln in Zahlen [Sledging in numbers]. ÖKAS, Österreichisches Kuratorium für Alpine Sicherheit. https://www.alpinmesse.info/de/Rodeln-in-Zahlen/

ABSTRACT: Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a highly prevalent, disabling condition affecting millions of people. Patients with an identifiable anatomic pain generator and resulting neuropathic lower extremity symptoms often undergo spine surgery, but many patients lack identifiable and/or surgically corrective pathology. Nonoperative treatment options often fail to provide sustained relief. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is sometimes used to treat these patients, but the lack of level 1 evidence limits its widespread use and insurance coverage. The DISTINCT RCT study evaluates the efficacy of passive recharge burst SCS compared to conventional medical treatment (CMM) in alleviating chronic, refractory axial low back pain. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, randomized, study with an optional 6-month crossover involved patients who were not candidates for lumbar spine surgery. The primary and secondary endpoints evaluated improvements in low back pain intensity (NRS), back pain-related disability (ODI), pain catastrophizing (PCS), and healthcare utilization. Patients were randomized to SCS therapy or CMM at 30 US study sites. Results: The SCS arm reported an 85.3% NRS responder rate (≥ 50% reduction) compared to 6.2% (5/81) in the CMM arm. After the 6M primary endpoint, SCS patients elected to remain on assigned therapy and 66.2% (49/74) of CMM patients chose to trial SCS (crossover). At the 12M follow-up, SCS and crossover patients reported 78.6% and 71.4% NRS responder rates. Secondary outcomes indicated significant improvements in ODI, PCS, and reduced healthcare utilization. Six serious adverse events were reported and resolved without sequelae. Conclusion: DISTINCT chronic low back pain patients with no indication for corrective surgery experienced a significant and sustained response to burst SCS therapy for up to 12 months. CMM patients who crossed over to the SCS arm reported profound improvements after 6 months. This data advocates for a timely consideration of SCS therapy in patients unresponsive to conservative therapy.

Biliary complications are still a major cause for morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation (LT). Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) leads to disruption of the biliary epithelium. We introduce a novel model to study the effect of IRI on human cholangiocytes using extrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids (ECOs). Extrahepatic bile duct tissue was collected during LT at static cold storage and after reperfusion (n = 15); gallbladder tissue was used for controls (n = 5). ECOs (n = 9) were cultured from extrahepatic biliary tissue, with IRI induced in an atmosphere of 95% air (nitrogen), 1% O2 and 5% CO2for 48 h, followed by 24 h of reoxygenation. Qualitative and quantitative histology and qRT-PCR were performed to discern phenotype, markers of hypoxia, programmed cell death and proliferation. ECOs self-organized into circular structures resembling biliary architecture containing cholangiocytes that expressed EpCAM, CK19, LGR5 and SOX-9. After hypoxia, ECOs showed increased expression of VEGF A (p < 0.0001), SLC2A1 (p < 0.0001) and ACSL4 (p < 0.0001) to indicate response to hypoxic damage and subsequent programmed cell death. Increase in cyclin D1 (p < 0.0001) after reoxygenation indicated proliferative activity in ECOs. Therefore, ECO structure and response to IRI are comparable to that found in-vivo, providing a suitable model to study IRI of the bile duct in-vitro.

"Attribute-framing bias" reflects people's tendency to evaluate objects framed positively more favorably than the same objects framed negatively. Although biased by the framing valence, evaluations are nevertheless calibrated to the magnitude of the target attribute. In three experiments that manipulated magnitudes in different ways, we examined to what extent encouraging speeded or accurate responses affected the bias of evaluations and their calibration. Results revealed a dissociation between the biasing effect of framing valence and the calibrated effect of magnitude. The bias was increased in the speeded conditions relative to the accurate conditions. However, the calibration was affected by the speed-accuracy manipulation only in negative and not in positive framing conditions. We discuss the advantage of "fuzzy-trace theory" in explaining these results, suggesting that gist representations elicit the bias, whereas verbatim representations allow calibration. However, the relative contributions of these representations to evaluation vary with task demands such as speed-accuracy requirements.

Abstract Weeds are attractive models for basic and applied research due to their impacts on agricultural systems and capacity to swiftly adapt in response to anthropogenic selection pressures. Currently, a lack of genomic information precludes research to elucidate the genetic basis of rapid adaptation for important traits like herbicide resistance and stress tolerance and the effect of evolutionary mechanisms on wild populations. The International Weed Genomics Consortium is a collaborative group of scientists focused on developing genomic resources to impact research into sustainable, effective weed control methods and to provide insights about stress tolerance and adaptation to assist crop breeding.

Abstract The southern coast of Africa is one of the few places in the world where water temperatures are predicted to cool in the future. This endemism-rich coastline is home to two sister species of kelps of the genus Ecklonia maxima and Ecklonia radiata, each associated with specific thermal niches, and occuring primarily on opposite sides of the southern tip of Africa. Historical distribution records indicate that E. maxima has recently shifted its distribution ~ 70 km eastward, to sites where only E. radiata was previously reported. The contact of sister species with contrasting thermal affinities and the occurrence of mixed morphologies raised the hypothesis that hybridization might be occurring in this contact zone. Here we describe the genetic structure of the genus Ecklonia along the southern coast of Africa and investigate potential hybridization and cryptic diversity using a combination of nuclear microsatellites and mitochondrial markers. We found that both species have geographically discrete genetic clusters, consistent with expected phylogeographic breaks along this coastline. In addition, depth-isolated populations were found to harbor unique genetic diversity, including a third Ecklonia lineage. Mito-nuclear discordance and high genetic divergence in the contact zones suggest multiple hybridization events between Ecklonia species. Discordance between morphological and molecular identification suggests the potential influence of abiotic factors leading to convergent phenotypes in the contact zones. Our results highlight an example of cryptic diversity and hybridization driven by contact between two closely related keystone species with contrasting thermal affinities.

ABSTRACT The microbial ecosystem of women undergoes enormous changes during pregnancy and the perinatal period. Little is known about the extent of changes in the maternal microbiome beyond the vaginal cavity and its recovery after birth. In this study, we followed pregnant women [maternal prepartum (mpre), n = 30] into the postpartum period [1 month postpartum, maternal postpartum (mpost), n = 30]. We profiled their oral, urinary, and vaginal microbiome; archaeome; mycobiome; and urinary metabolome and compared them with those of nonpregnant (np) women (n = 29). Overall, pregnancy status (np, mpre, and mpost) had a smaller effect on the microbiomes than body site, but massive transitions were observed for the oral and urogenital (vaginal and urinary) microbiomes. While the oral microbiome fluctuates during pregnancy but stabilizes rapidly within the first month postpartum, the urogenital microbiome is characterized by a major remodeling caused by a massive loss of Lactobacillus and thus a shift from Vaginal Community State Type (CST) I (40% of women) to CST IV (85% of women). The urinary metabolome rapidly reached an np-like composition after delivery, apart from lactose and oxaloacetic acid, which were elevated during active lactation. Fungal and archaeal profiles were indicative of pregnancy status. Methanobacterium signatures were found mainly in np women, and Methanobrevibacter showed an opposite behavior in the oral cavity (increased) and vagina (decreased) during pregnancy. Our findings suggest that the massive remodeling of the maternal microbiome and metabolome needs more attention and that potential interventions could be envisioned to optimize recovery and avoid long-term effects on maternal health and subsequent pregnancies.IMPORTANCEThe perinatal microbiome is of specific interest for the health of the mother and infant. We therefore investigate the dynamics of the female microbiome from nonpregnant over prepartum to the postpartum period in urine and the oral and vaginal cavities. A specific focus of this study is put not only on the bacterial part of the microbiome but also on the underinvestigated contribution of fungi and archaea. To our knowledge, we present the first study highlighting those aspects. Our findings suggest that the massive remodeling of the maternal microbiome and metabolome needs more attention and that potential interventions could be envisioned to optimize recovery and avoid long-term effects on maternal health and subsequent pregnancies.

Se considera un aporte importante a la temática un análisis cualitativo para indagar sobre las percepciones de los pacientes con dolor cráneofacial que han recibido acupuntura en la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de la República (FOUDELAR) para saber lo que han experimentado antes y después de la terapia, para conocer que sienten y piensan con énfasis en la subjetividad y en cómo han estimado sus vivencias. Objetivos. Conocer que significado subjetivo tiene para el paciente con dolor craneofacial la terapia con acupuntura como alternativa terapéutica. Métodos. Indagatoria cualitativa transversal y exploratoria. Se usaron dos técnicas para recoger la información; 3 grupos de discusión y 4 entrevistas, utilizando un breve guión con preguntas orientadoras en ambas técnicas. Se registraron 7 videos. Se desgrabó todo el material audiovisual, se transcribieron los textos y confrontaron con la imagen. Se realizó la segmentación y fichado de los enunciados. El análisis de datos se basó en el proceso que aborda la Teoría Fundamentada, de Glacer y Strauss articulando distintos momentos de análisis y comparación. Se codificó y entonces surgieron categorías y subcategorías para explicar las vivencias. Resultados. La codificación fragmentó, conceptualizó e integró los datos permitiendo interpretar 498 segmentos. Así surgieron 8 categorías axiales y sus subcategorías. Por codificación selectiva finalmente se interpretó la categoría central “experiencias sobre el dolor craneofacial”. Conclusiones. Los conceptos descubiertos, interpretados y ordenados, explican que el paciente encuentra en la Acupuntura: alivio, satisfacción, apego a la terapia alternativa como una opción que debería estar incorporada a la oferta terapéutica convencional.

Objetivos. La interpretación de los registros electromiograficos del bruxismo de la vigilia todavía representa un desafío para los investigadores. En particular, la diferenciación entre los eventos de apretamiento y las actividades funcionales. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo explorar la actividad EMG de los músculos masetero y temporal durante eventos orofaciales motores funcionales (EOMF) experimentales y estandarizados con el fin de establecer parámetros generales para su diferenciación de eventos de bruxismo. Métodos. Se incluyeron catorce voluntarios y cuatro sets experimentales para simular diferentes EOMF: 1. deglución seca, 2. deglución de agua, 3. fonación y 4. espiración. Se utilizó un sistema de EMG inalámbrico (Trigno®) para los registros de los músculos masetero y temporal. Las variables de estudio incluyeron la duración y la intensidad de los eventos de apretamiento como porcentaje de la máxima contracción voluntaria (% MCV). El análisis de datos se realizó con un modelo de efectos mixtos utilizando el método de Kenward-Rogers. Resultados. Se registraron un total de 448 eventos. El valor medio de todos los eventos fue 10,7 (5,9-18,9) de la MCV para el músculo masetero y 15,6 (7,2-23,8) para el músculo temporal. El músculo masetero presentó menor dispersión que el temporal, con un límite superior, por debajo del 30% del MCV. La duración de los eventos para ambos músculos fue inferior a 3 segundos en el 99,6% de los datos. Conclusiones. Se determinaron los niveles de actividad muscular para los diferentes EOMF. Se establecieron parámetros EMG para permitir la discriminación con eventos parafuncionales. Considerando la falta de consenso científico en esta área, los presentes resultados pueden contribuir a la futura estandarización de los criterios diagnósticos del bruxismo de la vigilia.