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BACKGROUND Stanniocalcin-1 (STC-1) is a widely expressed glycoprotein hormone involved in a diverse spectrum of physiological and pathophysiological processes including angiogenesis, mineral homeostasis, cell proliferation, inflammation and apoptosis. Over the last 20 years, numerous studies have reported STC-1 expression within female reproductive tissues including the uterus, ovaries and placenta and implicated STC-1 in processes such as ovarian follicular development, blastocyst implantation, vascular remodelling in early pregnancy and placental development. Notably, dysregulation of STC-1 within reproductive tissues has been linked to the onset of severe reproductive disorders including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, poor trophoblast invasion and placental perfusion in early pregnancy. Furthermore, significant changes in tissue expression and in maternal systemic concentration take place throughout pregnancy and further substantiate the vital role of this protein in reproductive health and disease. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature, to summarise the expression profile and roles of STC-1 within the female reproductive system and its associated pathologies. We highlight the gaps in the current knowledge and suggest potential avenues for future research. SEARCH METHODS Relevant studies were identified through searching the PubMed database using the following search terms: ‘stanniocalcin-1’, ‘placenta’, ‘ovary’, ‘endometrium’, ‘pregnancy’, ‘reproduction’, ‘early gestation’. Only English language papers published between 1995 and 2020 were included. OUTCOMES This review provides compelling evidence of the vital function that STC-1 plays within the female reproductive system. The literature presented summarise the wide expression profile of STC-1 within female reproductive organs, as well as highlighting the putative roles of STC-1 in various functions in the reproductive system. Moreover, the observed link between altered STC-1 expression and the onset of various reproductive pathologies is presented, including those in pregnancy whose aetiology occurs in the first trimester. This summary emphasises the requirement for further studies on the mechanisms underlying the regulation of STC-1 expression and function. WIDER IMPLICATIONS STC-1 is a pleiotropic hormone involved in the regulation of a number of important biological functions needed to maintain female reproductive health. There is also growing evidence that dysregulation of STC-1 is implicated in common reproductive and obstetric disorders. Greater understanding of the physiology and biochemistry of STC-1 within the field may therefore identify possible targets for therapeutic intervention and/or diagnosis.

Planktonic gastropods of the suborder Euthecosomata (order Pteropoda) secrete a unique microstructure made of tightly interlocked, space-filling helically coiled aragonite fibers. This material has a high degree of ordering because all fibers are in phase at a given growth plane. The recognition of the helical nature from mere scanning electron micrographs is somewhat uncertain. In addition, threedimensional (3D) reconstructions of individual helices are hindered by the small dimensions of fibers, and the virtual absence of intervening organic interphases. Here, we (1) reexamine the morphological characteristics of the fibers in fracture and find them compatible with a helical model, (2) provide direct evidence of the helical mode of coiling in the form of anaglyphs, and (3) develop a 3D model, which is fully consistent with the patterns observed in fractures and polished sections. Proposals based on motifs different from helices are not congruent with the observations., Universidad de Granada/CBUA, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (MICINN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III Spanish Government CGL2017-85118-P PID2020-116660 GB-I00 Junta de Andalucia B-RNM-265-UGR18 PCIN-2017-098 RNM363, Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) KB PPI/APM/2018/1/00049/U/001, Unidad Cientifica de Excelencia UCE-PP2016-05, University of Granada, European COST Action CA17120, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (MICINN) Spanish Government FJC2018-035820-I, SKA South Africa 844345, Malacological Society of London Travel Award

The endocochleate coleoid cephalopod Spirula spirula, the only present-day representative of the order Spirulida, secretes a coiled shell consisting of a series of chambers divided by septa and connected by a siphuncle. It is the shell closest to those of Recent and extinct ectochleate cephalopods: nautiloids, ammonoids. Therefore, its study may help to understand which characters remained unchanged or became transformed during the evolution of endocochleates. We have carried out detailed observations on the different structures composing the Spirula shell, with the aim of reconstructing their morphology, distribution, and mutual relationships. Alongside this, we also review the previous profuse terminology. Taking into account the additional information provided by growth lines and crystal orientations, we propose mechanisms for the secretion of the shell structures. All these mechanisms are integrated in a consistent way into a general model of chamber formation. The periostracum is secreted within a distinct periostracal groove. The outer shell layer is secreted externally to the periostracum by the soft tissues lining the shell externally. The inner shell layer is produced by the shell wall mantle, whereas the septa and the siphuncle are made periodically by a differentiated septal/siphuncular mantle. The most adoral septal mantle edge changes from secreting septal to inner shell wall material to produce the mural flap. The adapical ridge is formed by passive precipitates from cameral fluid residues trapped by surface tension, whereas the fibrous prismatic deposits of the connecting ring are biominerals produced remotely within mantle secretions. Homologies with Nautilus and Sepia are discussed., Projekt DEAL

If life developed in hydrothermal vents, it would have been within mineral membranes. The first proto-cells must have evolved to manipulate the mineral membranes that formed their compartments in order to control their metabolism. There must have occurred a biological takeover of the self-assembled mineral structures of the vents, with the incorporation of proto-biological molecules within the mineral membranes to alter their properties for life’s purposes. Here, we study a laboratory analogue of this process: chemical-garden precipitation of the amino acids arginine and tryptophan with the metal salt iron chloride and sodium silicate. We produced these chemical gardens using different methodologies in order to determine the dependence of the morphology and chemistry on the growth conditions, as well as the effect of the amino acids on the formation of the iron-silicate chemical garden. We compared the effects of having amino acids initially within the forming chemical garden, corresponding to the internal zones of hydrothermal vents, or else outside, corresponding to the surrounding ocean. The characterization of the formed chemical gardens using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and scanning electron microscopy demonstrates the presence of amino acids in these structures. The growth method in which the amino acid is initially in the tablet with the iron salt is that which generated chemical gardens with more amino acids in their structures., European Commission P-18-RT-3786, Spanish Andalusian CA17120

Chemical gardens are self-assembled structures of mineral precipitates enabled by semi-permeable membranes. To explore the effects of gravity on the formation of chemical gardens, we have studied chemical gardens grown from cobalt chloride pellets and aqueous sodium silicate solution in a vertical Hele–Shaw cell. Through photography, we have observed and quantitatively analysed upward growing tubes and downward growing fingers. The latter were not seen in previous experimental studies involving similar physicochemical systems in 3-dimensional or horizontal confined geometry. To better understand the results, further studies of flow patterns, buoyancy forces, and growth dynamics under schlieren optics have been carried out, together with characterisation of the precipitates with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. In addition to an ascending flow and the resulting precipitation of tubular filaments, a previously not reported descending flow has been observed which, under some conditions, is accompanied by precipitation of solid fingering structures. We conclude that the physics of both the ascending and descending flows are shaped by buoyancy, together with osmosis and chemical reaction. The existence of the descending flow might highlight a limitation in current experimental methods for growing chemical gardens under gravity, where seeds are typically not suspended in the middle of the solution and are confined by the bottom of the vessel., Leverhulme Trust RPG-2015-002, Spanish Government FIS2016-77692-C2-2PP PCIN-098, European COST action CA17120

The aim of this study was to investigate the biomimetic precipitation processes that follow the chemical-garden reaction of brines of CaCl

We describe and study the formation of confined chemical garden patterns. At low flow rates of injection of cobalt chloride solution into a Hele-Shaw cell filled with sodium silicate, the precipitate forms with a thin filament wrapping around an expanding "candy floss" structure. The result is the formation of an Archimedean spiral structure. We model the growth of the structure mathematically. We estimate the effective density of the precipitate and calculate the membrane permeability. We set the results within the context of recent experimental and modeling work on confined chemical garden filaments.

Many biological structures use liquid crystals as self-organizing templates for their formation. We review and analyse evidence that the crossed-lamellar biomineral microstructure of mollusc shells may be formed from such a liquid-crystal precursor., We acknowledge funding from projects CGL2017-85118-P and FIS2016-77692-C2-2-P of the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, the Unidad Científica de Excelencia UCE-PP2016-05 of the University of Granada and the Research Group RNM363 of the Junta de Andalucía.

Health-related fear is a normal and common response in the face of the global pandemic of COVID-19. Children and young people are frequently being exposed to messages about the threat to health, including from the media and authorities. Whilst for most, their anxiety will be proportionate to the threat, for some, existing pre-occupation with physical symptoms and illness will become more problematic. There is a growing body of evidence that health anxiety may occur in childhood, however much of the literature is taken from research using adult samples. This practitioner review aims to give an overview of the assessment and treatment of health-related worries in children and young people in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This review is based on the limited existing evidence in this population and the more substantial evidence base for treating health anxiety in adults. We consider the adaptations needed to ensure such interventions are developmentally appropriate.

Nacre, or mother of pearl, is a biomaterial with a layered structure. In a recent geological study, researchers found that the width of the nacre layers depends on the formation temperature, which is determined by the ocean water temperature. A linear dependence of layer width with respect to temperature is understandable within the transient liquid-crystalline nature of incipient nacre. Thus, developing nacre is a liquid-crystal thermometer recording its formation temperature. A more complete understanding of nacre formation is of interest not only for biology and geology, in terms of biomineralization and paleoclimatology, but also for materials science: for reproducing nacre or fabricating synthetic analogues and also potentially for developing new classes of layered materials with layer spacings tunable by pH and temperature., H.E.C. and C.I.S.D. acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish MINCINN FIS2016-77692-C2-2-P, and A.G.C. acknowledges CGL2017-85118-P. J.H.E.C. would like to acknowledge the contribution of the COST Action Eutopia, CA17139.

Stanniocalcin‐1 (STC‐1) is a multi‐functional glycosylated peptide present in the plasma of healthy women postpartum and increased further in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. Although the STC‐1 gene is expressed by the placenta what regulates its secretion and from which cells at the feto‐maternal interface is unknown. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast are a major site of STC‐1 protein expression in first trimester placental tissue. Further, in response to low oxygen, first trimester chorionic villous tissue from pregnancies at increased risk of developing preeclampsia secreted significantly more STC‐1 than normal tissue under the same conditions. Using the human trophoblast cell line BeWo we have shown that low oxygen increased the secretion of STC‐1 but it required co‐stimulation with the Adenosine‐3', 5'‐cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) analogue, 8‐Bromo adenosine‐3', 5'‐cyclic monophosphate cAMP (8 Br‐cAMP) to reach significance. Inhibition of Hypoxia inducible factor 2α (HIF‐2α) and the Phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3‐Kinase)/AKT/Serum and glucocorticoid‐induced kinase‐1(SGK‐1) pathway resulted in significant inhibition of STC‐1 secretion. As both low oxygen and cAMP are known to play a central role in placental function, their regulation of STC‐1 points to a potentially important role in the maintenance of a normal healthy pregnancy and we would hypothesize that it may act to protect against prolonged placental hypoxia seen in preeclampsia.

L. A. M. Rocha gratefully acknowledges funding from the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal (grant SFRH/BD/130401/2017). C. Pimentel acknowledges funding from Juan de la Cierva‐Formación (grant FJC2018‐035820‐I) from the Spanish Ministry of Science. J. H. E. Cartwright and C. Ignacio Sainz‐Díaz acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish MINCINN projects FIS2016‐77692‐C2‐2‐P and PCIN‐2017‐098. I. Sánchez‐Almazo thanks the crew of the Cornide de Saavedra vessel, as well as the members of the Tasyo project, funded by the Spanish Marine Science and Technology Program, for allowing her to participate in the 2000–2001 Anastasya cruises. The authors acknowledge the contribution of the COST Action chemobrionics, CA17120., Methane-rich water moves through conduits beneath the seafloor whose surfaces are formed through precipitation reactions. To understand how such submarine fluid conduit and venting systems form and grow, we develop a detailed mathematical model for this reaction-advection system and we quantify the evolution of an ensemble of similar filaments. We show that this growth can be described by a superposition of advection and dispersion. We analyze analog laboratory experiments of chemical-garden type to study the growth of a single filament undergoing a precipitation reaction with the surrounding environment. We apply these findings to geological fluid conduit and venting systems, showing that their irregular trajectories can lead to very effective spreading within the surrounding seabed, thus enhancing contact and exchanges of chemicals between the conduit and external fluids. We discuss how this methane venting leads to the formation of marine authigenic carbonate rocks, and for confirmation, we analyze two field samples from the Gulf of Cadiz for composition and mineralogy of the precipitates. We note the implications of this work for hydrate melting and methane escape from the seabed., Ciencia e Tecnologia, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, MINCINN PCIN‐2017‐098, European Cooperation in Science and Technology CA17120, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia FJC2018‐035820‐I, SFRH/BD/130401/2017, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación

Chemical gardens and clock reactions are two of the best-known demonstration reactions in chemistry. Until now these have been separate categories. We have discovered that a chemical garden confined to two dimensions is a clock reaction involving a phase change, so that after a reproducible and controllable induction period it explodes., J.H.E.C. and C.I.S.D. acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish MINCINN projects FIS2016-77692-C2-2-P and PCIN-2017-098. The authors acknowledge the contribution of the COST Action CA17120.

Introduction: We evaluated magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in United States military personnel with persistent symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), comparing over time two groups randomized to receive hyperbaric oxygen or sham chamber sessions and a third group of normative controls. Methods: Active-duty or veteran military personnel and normative controls underwent MRS outcome measures at baseline, 13 weeks (mTBI group only), and six months. Participants received 3.0 Tesla brain MRS for analysis of water-suppressed two-dimensional (2D) multivoxel 1H-MRS of the brain using point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) with volume selection localized above the lateral ventricles and within the brain parenchyma, of which one voxel was chosen in each hemisphere without artifact. Script-based automatic data processing was used to assess N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), and choline (Cho). Metabolite ratios for white matter were then calculated for NAA/Cr (Area), Cho/Cr (Area), and Cho/NAA (Area). These ratios were compared using standard analysis methodology. Results: There were no observable differences between participants with mTBI and normative controls nor any observable changes over time in the NAA/Cr (area), Cho/Cr (area), and Cho/NAA (area) ratios. Similarly, the control and injured participants were indistinguishable. Discussion: While participants with mild TBI showed no difference in MRS compared to normative controls, our results are limited by the few voxels chosen and potentially by less sensitive MRS markers.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been available commercially for clinical diagnostic use for many years. However, both clinical interpretation of fMRI by a neuroradiologist and quantitative analysis of fMRI data can require significant personnel resources that exceed reimbursement. In this report, a fully automated computerbased quantification methodology (Enumerated Auditory Response, EAR) has been developed to provide an auditory fMRI assessment of patients who have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury. Fifty-five study participants with interpretable auditory fMRI sequence data were assessed by EAR analysis, as well as both clinical radiologist fMRI interpretation and voxelwise general linear model (GLM) analysis. Comparison between the clinical interpretation and the two computer analysis methods resulted in 67% concordance (identical), 32% near-concordance (one level difference), and 1% discordant. Comparison between the clinical computer-based quantification (EAR) and GLM analysis yielded significant correlations in right and left ear responses (p

Complement alternative pathway (AP) dysregulation has been implicated in geographic atrophy, an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration. Danicopan is an investigational, first-in-class inhibitor of factor D, an essential AP activation enzyme. We assessed danicopan distribution to the posterior segment of the eye after oral dosing.Tissue distribution of drug-derived radioactivity was evaluated using whole-body autoradiography following oral administration of [14C]-danicopan to pigmented and albino rats. Pharmacokinetics and ocular tissue distribution were studied in pigmented and albino rabbits following single and multiple oral dosing of danicopan. The melanin binding property was characterized in vitro.Radioactivity was distributed widely in rats and became nonquantifiable in most tissues 24 hours postdose except in the pigmented rat uvea (quantifiable 672 hours postdose). Danicopan binding to melanin was established in vitro. After single dosing, the maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) in neural retina and plasma were similar in both rabbit types. After multiple dosing, AUC in neural retina was 3.4-fold higher versus plasma in pigmented rabbits. Drug levels in choroid/Bruch's membrane (BrM)/retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were similar to plasma in albino rabbits but higher in pigmented rabbits: Cmax and AUC were 2.9- and 23.8-fold higher versus plasma after single dosing and 5.8- and 62.7-fold higher after multiple dosing. In pigmented rabbits, ocular tissue exposures slowly declined over time but remained quantifiable 240 hours postdose.The results demonstrate that danicopan crosses the blood-retina barrier and binds melanin reversibly, leading to a higher and more sustained exposure in melanin-containing ocular tissues (choroid/BrM/RPE) and in the neural retina as compared to in plasma after repeated oral dosing in pigmented animals.These findings suggest that oral danicopan possesses potential for treating geographic atrophy because AP dysregulation in the posterior segment of the eye is reported to be involved in the disease pathogenesis.

Parent training is a central focus of behavioral intervention, with emphasis on teaching parents to become change agents for their children by using behavioral management skills. However, its effectiveness is limited by a parent's ability to engage in the learning process. Parents managing external stressors, psychopathology, or poverty often do not gain the skills and thus, the treatment may minimally impacts parent and child behavior. In order to increase a parent's ability to acquire and implement new skills accurately, referred to as parent treatment integrity, the current study added a parent-support component to the RUBI Autism Network's Parent Training for Disruptive Behaviors protocol. The parent-support component was intended to remove barriers to skill acquisition during the parent training session by alleviating some of the interfering parental stress. In an alternating treatments design, a community-based sample of five parent-child dyads (average age of child = 32 months) participated in the parent-training protocol; half of the intervention sessions included a 15-min parent-support component. The addition of the parent-support component increased parent engagement, treatment integrity, and learned parenting skills, like parent praise. Results support a model of change for parenting behavior. Inclusion of a parent-support component is supported as an effective practice for parent training.

Introduction: Covid-19 (CV19) infection is associated with pulmonary embolism (PE). We sought to detail the presence of PE, clinical, laboratory features, and outcomes of those with PE and CV19 compared to CV19 and no PE. Methods: Retrospective analysis of all computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) studies undertaken at our hospital during the peak of the pandemic between 29/2-3/5/2020. We included all inpatients with positive CV19 swab or classical or probable features of CV19 on CTPA. All CTPAs were reviewed by certified radiologists. The patient's electronic health records were reviewed for clinical data. Results: Total 132 (45.9%) of CTPAs met inclusion criteria. Presence of PE was 31 (23.5%), with 13 (41.9%) being central, and 18 (58.1%) peripheral. Men (70.4%, P0.04) and white ethnicity (58.1%, P0.03) were significantly associated with PE. No association was seen between CTPA radiographic severity of CV19 and presence of PE. Thromboprophylaxis was administered to 73.2% of the cohort prior to CTPA, no association (P0.29) between administration and diagnosed PE. No difference in vital observations in the 24hrs prior to CTPA as detected. Median Ddimer and Troponin T were significantly elevated (P

The authors acknowledge funding from Spanish MINCINN project grant FIS2016-77692-C2-2P along with European FEDER funds the European COST Action CA17120 supported by the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020, and the PCIN-2017-098 project., We have performed and visualized chemical garden growth experiments directly in situ in an environmental scanning electron microscope. The microscope chamber simulates the surface of Mars. We demonstrate that chemical gardens can form under the conditions of temperature and pressure existing on Mars in the presence of liquid water, silicates, and metal salts. Using chemical gardens from aluminum salts, tubes were formed where the external surface is formed principally by silicate and the inner surface is predominantly aluminum oxide-hydroxide. It should thus be expected that similar growths of metal salts may be found in geological explorations of water-rich environments during the search for life on Mars., Spanish MINCINN project FIS2016-77692-C2-2P, European FEDER funds the European COST Action by the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020 CA17120 PCIN-2017-098

Various studies found an association of different renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components with gestational duration and preterm birth, as well as with preeclampsia. Approximately 25% of first-time pregnant women develop a mild to severe hypertension in pregnancy or even preeclampsia. Based on recently published single-cell RNA-sequencing, we hypothesized an alternative RAS function in placenta and furthermore, an implication in hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Placental RAS expression and localization was analyzed via quantitative polymerase chain reaction and in situ mRNA padlock probes. Tissue was collected from first-trimester elective termination (n=198), from healthy third-trimester controls (n=54), from early-onset preeclamptic (n=54) and age-matched controls (n=29), as well as first-trimester placentae from women with a high uterine artery resistance index (high-risk for preeclampsia, n=9) and controls (n=8). Serum levels of Ang (angiotensin) I to IV from women before and after conception were measured via mass spectrometry (n=10). Placental explants were cultured in 2.5% oxygen with Ang II, candesartan, and leptin. Seahorse XF96 MitoStress assays assessed trophoblast metabolism. Here, we show that maternal angiotensin acts on placental LNPEP (leucine aminopeptidase), that is, angiotensin IV-receptor and fetal angiotensin on placental AGTR1 (angiotensin II receptor type 1). Maternal circulating RAS shifts towards Ang IV in pregnancy. Ang IV decreases trophoblastic mitochondrial respiration and increases placental leptin via placental LNPEP. Lower placental LNPEP in preeclampsia and in first-trimester patients at high-risk for preeclampsia suggests a new alternative route in maternal RAS signaling and may contribute to hypertension and disease in pregnancy. The study shows how hypertensive disorders in pregnancy may be connected metabolic alterations that finally seem to contribute to the multifactorial disease in pregnancy, preeclampsia.

I thank Silvana Cardoso and John Davidson (1926–2019) for many interesting discussions in the tea room of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology in Cambridge over the years that have contributed to this review, ranging from the fluid mechanics of explosions, to the lessons of Flixborough for the education of engineers, to how Tom Bacon developed, first at C. A. Parsons in Newcastle and then in that Department, the hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell used by NASA in the Apollo program. I acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish MINCINN Project, No. FIS2016-77692-C2-2-P., Gas and vapor explosions have been involved in industrial accidents since the beginnings of industry. A century ago, at 11:55 am on Friday September 24, 1920, the petroleum barge Warwick exploded in London’s docklands and seven men were killed. Understanding what happened when it blew up as it was being refurbished, and how to prevent similar explosions, involves fluid mechanics and thermodynamics plus chemistry. I recount the 1920 accident as an example, together with the history of thermo-kinetic explosions prior to 1920 and up to the present day, and I review the history and the actual state of the science of explosion and the roles of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and chemistry in that science. The science of explosions has been aware of its societal implications from the beginning, but, despite advances in health and safety over the past century, is there still work to do?, Spanish MINCINN Project, No. FIS2016-77692-C2-2-P.

Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica was a fertile crescent for the development of number systems. A form of vigesimal system seems to have been present from the first Olmec civilization onwards, to which succeeding peoples made contributions. We discuss the Maya use of the representational redundancy present in their Long Count calendar, a non-power positional number representation system with multipliers 1, 20, 18 × 20, …, 18 × 20n. We demonstrate that the Mesoamericans did not need to invent positional notation and discover zero at the same time because they were not afraid of using a number system in which the same number can be written in different ways. A Long Count number system with digits from 0 to 20 is seen later to pass to one using digits 0 to 19, which leads us to propose that even earlier there may have been an initial zeroless bijective numeration system whose digits ran from 1 to 20. Mesoamerica was able to make this conceptual leap to the concept of a cardinal zero to perform arithmetic owing to a familiarity with multiple and redundant number representation systems., Zero; Maya; Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica; Number representation systems; Bijective numeration

Gioseffo Zarlino reintroduced the Pythagorean paradigm into Renaissance musical theory. In a similar fashion, Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, and Isaac Newton reinvigorated Pythagorean ideas in celestial mechanics; Kepler and Newton explicitly invoked musical principles. Today, the theory of dynamical systems allows us to describe very different applications of physics, from the orbits of asteroids in the Solar System to the pitch of complex sounds. Our aim in this text is to review the overarching aims of our research in this field over the past quarter of a century. We demonstrate with a combination of dynamical systems theory and music theory the thread running from Pythagoras to Zarlino that allowed the latter to construct musical scales using the ideas of proportion known to the former, and we discuss how the modern theory of dynamical systems, with the study of resonances in nonlinear systems, returns to Pythagorean ideas of a Musica Universalis.

We demonstrate experimentally and theoretically that self-assembled precipitate membranes with dual permeability can initiate and maintain exchange nanoflows using the chemical-potential gradient of a dissolving solute. Moreover, we show how such chemical energy can drive stable, oscillatory, and explosive convective motions., J.H.E.C. acknowledges the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Science, MINCINN Project No. FIS2016-77692-C2-2-P. The authors acknowledge the contribution of the COST Action No. CA17120.