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Tissue regeneration after damage is generally thought to involve the mobilization of adult stem cells that divide and differentiate into progressively specialized progeny. However, recent studies indicate that tissue regeneration can be accompanied by reversion to a fetal-like state. During this process, cells at the injury site reactivate programs that operate during fetal development but are typically absent in adult homeostasis. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the molecular signals and epigenetic mediators that orchestrate "fetal-like reversion" during intestinal regeneration. We also explore evidence for this phenomenon in other organs and species and highlight open questions that merit future examination.

We present an overview of the Conference on Transformative Opportunities for Modeling in Neurorehabilitation held in March 2023. It was supported by the Disability and Rehabilitation Engineering (DARE) program from the National Science Foundations Engineering Biology and Health Cluster. The conference brought together experts and trainees from around the world to discuss critical questions, challenges, and opportunities at the intersection of computational modeling and neurorehabilitation to understand, optimize, and improve clinical translation of neurorehabilitation. We organized the conference around four key, relevant, and promising Focus Areas for modeling: Adaptation & Plasticity, Personalization, Human-Device Interactions, and Modeling In-the-Wild. We identified four common threads across the Focus Areas that, if addressed, can catalyze progress in the short, medium, and long terms. These were: (i) the need to capture and curate appropriate and useful data necessary to develop, validate, and deploy useful computational models (ii) the need to create multi-scale models that span the personalization spectrum from individuals to populations, and from cellular to behavioral levels (iii) the need for algorithms that extract as much information from available data, while requiring as little data as possible from each client (iv) the insistence on leveraging readily available sensors and data systems to push model-driven treatments from the lab, and into the clinic, home, workplace, and community. The conference archive can be found at (dare2023.usc.edu). These topics are also extended by three perspective papers prepared by trainees and junior faculty, clinician researchers, and federal funding agency representatives who attended the conference.

Scientific theories on the functioning and dysfunction of the human brain require an understanding of its development-before and after birth and through maturation to adulthood-and its evolution. Here we bring together several accounts of human brain evolution by focusing on the central role of oxygen and brain metabolism. We argue that evolutionary expansion of human transmodal association cortices exceeded the capacity of oxygen delivery by the vascular system, which led these brain tissues to rely on nonoxidative glycolysis for additional energy supply. We draw a link between the resulting lower oxygen tension and its effect on cytoarchitecture, which we posit as a key driver of genetic developmental programs for the human brain-favoring lower intracortical myelination and the presence of biosynthetic materials for synapse turnover. Across biological and temporal scales, this protracted capacity for neural plasticity sets the conditions for cognitive flexibility and ongoing learning, supporting complex group dynamics and intergenerational learning that in turn enabled improved nutrition to fuel the metabolic costs of further cortical expansion. Our proposed model delineates explicit mechanistic links among metabolism, molecular and cellular brain heterogeneity, and behavior, which may lead toward a clearer understanding of brain development and its disorders.

Maturation of the forebrain involves transitions from higher to lower levels of synaptic plasticity. The timecourse of these changes likely differs between regions, with the stabilization of some networks scaffolding the development of others. To gain better insight into neuroplasticity changes associated with maturation to adulthood, we examined the distribution of two molecular markers for developmental plasticity. We conducted the examination on male and female degus (Octodon degus), a rodent species with a relatively long developmental timecourse that offers a promising model for studying both development and age-related neuropathology. Immunofluorescent staining was used to measure perineuronal nets (PNNs), an extracellular matrix structure that emerges during the closure of critical plasticity periods, as well as microglia, resident immune cells that play a crucial role in synapse remodeling during development. PNNs (putatively restricting plasticity) were found to be higher in non-juvenile (>3 month) degus, while levels of microglia (putatively mediating plasticity) decreased across ages more gradually, and with varying timecourses between regions. Degus also showed notable variation in PNN levels between cortical layers and hippocampal subdivisions that have not been previously reported in other species. These results offer a glimpse into neuroplasticity changes occurring during degu maturation and highlight adolescence as a unique phase of neuroplasticity, in which PNNs have been established but microglia remain relatively high.

Synaptic communication is an important process in the central nervous system that allows for the rapid and spatially specified transfer of signals. Neurons receive various synaptic inputs and generate action potentials required for information transfer, and these inputs can be excitatory or inhibitory, which collectively determines the output. Non-neuronal cells (glial cells) have been identified as crucial participants in influencing neuronal activity and synaptic transmission, with astrocytes forming tripartite synapses and microglia pruning synapses. While it has been known that oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) receive neuronal inputs, whether they also influence neuronal activity and synaptic transmission has remained unknown for two decades. Recent findings indicate that OPCs, too, modulate neuronal synapses. In this review, we discuss the roles of different glial cell types at synapses, including the recently discovered involvement of OPCs in synaptic transmission and synapse refinement, and discuss overlapping roles played by multiple glial cell types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variations in the size and shape of the eye have been observed in many species of fish. As eye size is positively related to visual acuity, larger eyes should favour foraging and detection of predators. However, few studies have examined the variation in eye morphology in relation to the complexity of lake conditions, including environmental perturbation and spatial variation in predation and competition. Such tests are especially important as the degrading of the visual climate is expected due to climate change, where browning, turbidity and variations in structural complexity should set different demands for visual acuity of foraging fish under predation risk. In this study, we tested the variation of the eye size among 667 individuals of an aquatic predator perch, Perca fluviatilis, from littoral and pelagic habitats of 14 lakes. We used Secchi depth to assess the effects of the visual climate of our lake systems, as fish foraging is highly related to visual conditions, and studied eye size variation in relation to the contribution of the pelagic resources to an individual's diet and the risk of predation. Secchi depth, the pelagic contribution to the diet and the percentage of piscivores had significant effects on eye size. These variable outcomes suggest that the lake environment in terms of visual climate, predation landscape and diet are major factors of eye size variation in this generalist predator. As many fish species trade off foraging against predation risk, future studies will show whether the complexity of intra‐ and interspecific interactions contribute to the variation in eye size in freshwater fish. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes motor and cognitive deficits, presenting complex challenges for therapeutic interventions. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a type of neuromodulation that can produce plastic changes in neural activity. rTMS has been trialed as a therapy to treat motor and non-motor symptoms in persons with Parkinson disease (PwP), particularly treatment-refractory postural instability and gait difficulties such as Freezing of Gait (FoG), but clinical outcomes have been variable. We suggest improving rTMS neuromodulation therapy for balance and gait abnormalities in PwP by targeting brain regions in cognitivemotor control networks. rTMS studies in PwP often targeted motor targets such as the primary motor cortex (M1) or supplementary motor area (SMA), overlooking network interactions involved in posture-gait control disorders. We propose a shift in focus toward alternative stimulation targets in basal gangliacortex- cerebellum networks involved in posture-gait control, emphasizing the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), cerebellum (CB), and posterior parietal cortex (PPC) as potential targets. rTMS might also be more effective if administered during behavioral tasks designed to activate posture-gait control networks during stimulation. Optimizing stimulation parameters such as dosage and frequency as used clinically for the treatment of depression may also be useful. A network-level perspective suggests new directions for exploring optimal rTMS targets and parameters to maximize neural plasticity to treat postural instabilities and gait difficulties in PwP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The immunomodulatory oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) IMT504 might harbor antifibrotic properties within the liver. Methods: Fibrosis models were induced in mice through thioacetamide (TAA) administration and bile-duct ligation. Cre-loxP mice were utilized to identify GLAST + Wnt1 + bone marrow stromal progenitors (BMSPs) and to examine their contribution with cells in the liver. In vivo and in vitro assays; flow-cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and qPCR were conducted. Results: IMT504 demonstrated significant inhibition of liver fibrogenesis progression and reversal of established fibrosis. Early responses to IMT504 involved the suppression of profibrogenic and proinflammatory markers, coupled with an augmentation of hepatocyte proliferation. Additionally, this ODN stimulated the proliferation and mobilization of GLAST + Wnt1 + BMSPs, likely amplifying their contribution with endothelial- and hepatocytes-like cells. Moreover, IMT504 significantly modulated the expression levels of Wnt ligands and signaling pathway/target genes specifically within GLAST + Wnt1 + BMSPs, with minimal impact on other BMSPs. Intriguingly, both IMT504 and conditioned media from IMT504-pre-treated GLAST + Wnt1 + BMSPs shifted the phenotype of fibrotic macrophages, hepatic stellate cells, and hepatocytes, consistent with the potent antifibrotic effects observed. Conclusion: In summary, our findings identify IMT504 as a promising candidate molecule with potent antifibrotic properties, operating through both direct and indirect mechanisms, including the activation of GLAST + Wnt1 + BMSPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary symbioses in extreme environments can give an insight into mechanisms that stabilize species interactions during environmental change. The intertidal sea anemone, Anthopleura elegantissima, engages in a nutritional symbiosis with microalgae similar to tropical coral, but withstands more intense environmental fluctuations during tidal inundations. In this study, we compare baseline symbiotic traits and their sensitivity to thermal stress within and among anemone aggregations across the intertidal using a laboratory‐based tank experiment to better understand how fixed genotypic and plastic environmental effects contribute to the successful maintenance of this symbiosis in extreme habitats. High intertidal anemones had lower baseline symbiont‐to‐host cell ratios under control conditions, but their symbionts had higher baseline photosynthetic efficiency compared to low intertidal anemone symbionts. Symbiont communities were identical across all samples, suggesting that shifts in symbiont density and photosynthetic performance could be an acclimatory mechanism to maintain symbiosis in different environments. Despite lower baseline symbiont‐to‐host cell ratios, high intertidal anemones maintained greater symbiont‐to‐host cell ratios under heat stress compared with low intertidal anemones, suggesting greater thermal tolerance of high intertidal holobionts. However, the thermal tolerance of clonal anemones acclimatized to different zones was not explained by tidal height alone, indicating additional environmental variables contribute to physiological differences. Host genotype significantly influenced anemone weight, but only explained a minor proportion of variation among symbiotic traits and their response to thermal stress, further implicating environmental history as the primary driver of holobiont tolerance. These results indicate that this symbiosis is highly plastic and may be able to acclimatize to climate change over ecological timescales, defying the convention that symbiotic organisms are more susceptible to environmental stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a multilevel and multidisciplinary field, neuroscience is designed to interact with various branches of natural and applied sciences as well as with humanities and philosophy. The continental tradition in philosophy, particularly over the past 20 years, tended to establish strong connections with biology and neuroscience findings. This cross fertilization can however be impeded by conceptual intricacies, such as those surrounding the concept of plasticity. The use of this concept has broadened as scientists applied it to explore an ever‐growing range of biological phenomena. Here, we examine the consequences of this ambiguity in an interdisciplinary context through the analysis of the concept of "destructive plasticity" in the philosophical writings of Catherine Malabou. The term "destructive plasticity" was coined by Malabou in 2009 to refer to all processes leading to psycho‐cognitive and emotional alterations following traumatic or nontraumatic brain injuries or resulting from neurodevelopmental disorders. By comparing it with the neuroscientific definitions of plasticity, we discuss the epistemological obstacles and possibilities related to the integration of this concept into neuroscience. Improving interdisciplinary exchanges requires an advanced and sophisticated manipulation of neurobiological concepts. These concepts are not only intended to guide research programmes within neuroscience but also to organize and frame the dialogue between different theoretical backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural activity can increase the length of nodes of Ranvier (NOR) and slow impulse transmission; however, little is known about the biologically and clinically important recovery process. Sensory deprivation promotes neural plasticity in many phenomena, raising the question of whether recovery of NOR morphology is influenced by sensory deprivation. The results show that NOR gap length recovery in mouse optic nerve was not affected significantly by binocular visual deprivation imposed by maintaining mice in 24 hr dark for 30 days compared to mice recovering under normal visual experience. The findings provide insight into the cellular mechanism of NOR plasticity. • Recovery of node of Ranvier morphology in adult mouse optic nerve is not altered by binocular visual deprivation. • Node of Ranvier morphology is reversibly altered by exocytosis from astrocytes. • This form of node of Ranvier plasticity can take place in adult mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the infraorbital nerve induces neuropathic pain, such as allodynia and hyperalgesia, in the orofacial area. However, the changes in the local circuits of the central nervous system following CCI remain unclear. This study aimed to identify the changes following CCI in Thy1-GCaMP6s transgenic mice. Neural activity in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and motor cortex (M1) following whisker stimulation was assessed using in vivo Ca2+ imaging. CCI-induced changes in responses were analyzed. Before CCI, whisker stimulation induced a greater Ca2+ response in the contralateral S1 than in the ipsilateral S1 and contralateral M1. The peak Ca2+ response amplitude in the bilateral S1 and contralateral M1 decreased two days after CCI compared to before CCI. Decreased Ca2+ response amplitude in these regions was observed until four days after CCI. Seven days after CCI, the Ca2+ response amplitude in the contralateral S1 decreased, whereas that in the ipsilateral S1 and contralateral M1 recovered to control levels. These results suggest that neural activity in regions receiving excitatory inputs via corticocortical pathways recovers earlier than in regions receiving thalamocortical inputs. (185/250 words) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As climate change continues and the frequency and intensity of droughts become more prevalent in some regions, plant populations are facing greater ecological pressures. The objective of this study was to observe the response of a rare plant species to an extreme drought event associated with climate change. To study this response, we collected seeds from three populations of Collinsia multicolor (San Francisco collinsia, Plantaginaceae) found in central California both before and after the state's historic 2012-2016 drought. We conducted a greenhouse study to examine contemporary evolution between the collection years, and included a drought treatment to study plasticity. We measured three traits that indicate life history, morphological, and physiological responses to drought, including flowering time, stomatal density, and chlorophyll fluorescence. In the two coastal populations, where interannual moisture variation is greatest, we observed evolution only in stomatal density, while we observed plasticity in all measured traits. In contrast, the driest inland population showed no response to the drought or to the watering treatments, which is consistent with other studies that have found less response to drought in pre-adapted populations. Overall, our results suggest that plasticity is favored in variable environments. However, they also highlight that the pace of evolution may be insufficient to respond to current environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroecological testing of soybean varieties of domestic and foreign selection was carried out during 2020-2022 on the experimental field Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillya of NAAS, which is located in the zone of the right-bank forest-steppe of Ukraine. The subject of research was domestic soybean varieties (Diadema Podillia, Tytan, Kobuko, Monada, Triada (Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillya of NAAS); Vorskla, Lehenda (National Research Center "Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences") and foreign (Merlin, Kardiff, Kent, Padua (SAATBAU LINZ eGen); Kioto, Kordoba, Briunensis (Semences Prograin Ink.); Senator, Alihator (Euralis Semences); Sultana (RAGT Semences) selection. All soybean varieties studied during 2020-2022 were entered into the State Register of plant varieties suitable for distribution in Ukraine. The maximum seed yield in the zone of the right-bank forest-steppe of Ukraine was recorded in the following varieties: Triada (3.41 t/ha), Kioto (3.29 t/ha), Alihator (3.25 t/ha), Kobuko (3.19 t/ha), Monada (3.15 t/ha), Kardiff (3.06 t/ha) and Tytan (3.05 t/ha). According to the results of the analysis of the mass of 1000 seeds, its highest indicators were noted in soybean varieties: Tytan - 194 g, Alihator - 192 g, Kent-193 g, Sultana - 200 g. According to the results of the biochemical analysis of soybean seeds, it was found that most of the studied varieties provided the content crude protein is more than 40%, while the Merlin, Alihator, Triada, Cardiff and Kent varieties had a crude protein content of 37.1-39.1%. The obtained results of the content of amino acids in soybean seeds show more noticeable indicators in the Tytan soybean variety. Thus, on the basis of a comprehensive approach to soybean productivity indicators, such varieties of domestic selection as Tytan and Kobuko, as well as foreign selection of Kioto, are recommended for agricultural production in the areas of seed production, animal feed and raw material in the selection process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses narrative inquiry, ethnographic observations, and philosophical consideration of phenomenology to explore the role of mindfulness training, specifically a yoga-based practice, in supporting resiliency, academic achievement, and holistic well-being. Holistic well-being has become a critical and significant area of focus in education as increasing stress, anxiety and depression are resulting in both mental and physical illness, causing a significant decrease in overall resiliency observed both in students and teachers. This problem has been compounded by COVID-19, increasing use of technology and social isolation (Kush, Badillo-Giocoechea, Musci, & Stuart, 2022). It is critical to seek ontological ways of being and epistemological opportunities that consider relationality and holism to deepen our understanding of the complexity of our human experience, individually and collectively. The purpose of this paper is to offer proactive considerations to achieve well-being in our increasingly complex and overwhelming educational environments by considering the lived experience of the author as a yoga practitioner, academic researcher, and classroom educator. It begins by exploring the concept of interconnectivity and reflection on lived experience, and then it establishes a working definition for both resiliency and yoga. It then connects the key concepts of yoga practice to educational neuroscience, curriculum, teaching, and learning. Finally, it explores practical applications to teaching and learning and future research to be considered regarding resiliency, yoga, and holistic well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contraction or expansion of a cylindrical cavity in an elastoplastic medium is usually analyzed from a continuum based approach with a plasticity constitutive model. However, localized deformations, which are rooted in the post‐failure softening response of geomaterials, are observed in the form of spiral‐shaped fractures in laboratory tests. An alternative approach based on dislocation theory is introduced in this paper for modeling cavity contraction or expansion. In this model, several equally spaced spiral‐shaped shear fractures initiate and propagate away from the cavity within the linearly elastic medium. The Mohr‐Coulomb criterion and a dilatancy rule are imposed on the shear fractures to constrain the stresses and the displacement jumps. The direction of fracture propagation is determined by minimizing plastic dissipation. The displacement discontinuity method is used to discretize the shear and normal displacement jumps along the fracture and solve the problem numerically. The calculated crack path follows a logarithmic‐like spiral, similar to the slip lines predicted by plasticity theory. The relationship between the pressure and radial displacement at the cavity boundary converge towards the classical elastoplastic solution as the number of fracture branches increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mate choice is posited to explain the evolution and maintenance of numerous secondary sexual traits, including ornamentation. This study explores the role of ornamentation in the mating success of two sister-species of wolf spider with divergent ornamentation. Mature male Schizocosa crassipalpata lack ornamentation while males of its closest living relative, S. bilineata, express both dark pigmentation and foreleg brushes. Following phenotypic manipulations of foreleg ornamentation - i.e. adding ornamentation in the form of dark pigment to non-ornamented males (S. crassipalpata, Aim 1) and removing ornamentation in varying degrees from highly ornamented males (S. bilineata, Aim 2 - shaving brushes; Aim 3 - shaving brushes and painting over dark pigment in vibration present/absent environments) - we found no evidence that ornamentation alone improves male mating success in either species, regardless of the vibratory signaling environment. In both S. bilineata experiments, however, higher courtship rates resulted in higher mating success, suggesting selection for courtship performance. Furthermore, females were more likely to turn, a presumed receptivity display, in response to males that courted at a higher rate. Also, similar to findings in another relative (S. stridulans), we found indications that ornamentation may function to ease a male's reliance on courtship performance - i.e., at low courtship rates, only ornamented males can secure a mating. Our phenotypic manipulations also influenced courtship behavior in S. bilineata. Shaved males began courting earlier and courted more often over a longer time than intact males, yet ultimately acquired similar matings. This increased courtship effort likely compensated for reduced ornamentation. Finally, the vibratory environment appears crucial for female-male dialogue in S. bilineata, as vibratory absent environments resulted in increased female attacks and decreased male courtship rates. Together, our data suggest that S. crassipalpata females do not possess a preference for ornamentation and that S. bilineata females do not use ornamentation alone in mating decisions. Instead, our results are consistent with a hypothesis that ornamentation in Schizocosa evolved, and is likely maintained, due to its interactions with dynamic movement displays (i.e. leg movements), which can themselves be plastically altered based on the signaler's phenotype as well as the signaling environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical mechanisms that contribute to the generation of fracture waves in condensed media under intensive dynamic impacts have not been fully studied. One of the hypotheses is that this process is associated with the blocky structure of a material. As the loading wave passes, the compliant interlayers between blocks are fractured, releasing the energy of self-balanced initial stresses in the blocks, which supports the motion of the fracture wave. We propose a new efficient numerical method for the analysis of the wave nature of the propagation of a system of cracks in thin interlayers of a blocky medium with complex rheological properties. The method is based on a variational formulation of the constitutive relations for the deformation of elastic–plastic materials, as well as the conditions for contact interaction of blocks through interlayers. We have developed a parallel computational algorithm that implements this method for supercomputers with cluster architecture. The results of the numerical simulation of the fracture wave propagation in tempered glass under the action of distributed pulse disturbances are presented. This article is part of the theme issue 'Non-smooth variational problems with applications in mechanics'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraspecific communication among carnivores can be complex and risky, and many solitary carnivores (including pumas; Puma concolor) primarily communicate with potential mates and competitors indirectly via scent marking at communication hubs. We used multiple temporal analyses to understand if pumas of three classes (males, solo females, and females traveling with dependent kittens) varied in their temporal use of communication hubs to reduce risk while gathering information. We hypothesized that males would visit scrapes at typical times (nighttime), but that female behavioral strategies might vary based on whether they had dependent kittens or not. We found that pumas of different classes varied in their temporal patterns: male pumas concentrated their temporal activity at night (which is typical for pumas), solo females also tended to visit during the nighttime (although slightly earlier on average than males), while females with kittens were more active in the daytime. Our findings highlight the importance of communication hubs for intersexual communication in pumas and the flexibility that is inherent in puma behavioral ecology. Females adjusted their temporal behavior and visitation based on their reproductive status and life history stage, likely to assess dominant territorial males while also limiting their risk. Our study provides a mechanistic view of how communication through scent marking allows both long‐term and spatially separated communication to occur and that may allow pumas at different life stages with different risk tolerances to communicate with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global recognition of the importance of physical exercise (PE) for human health has resulted in increased research on its effects on cortical activity. Neural oscillations, which are prominent features of brain activity, serve as crucial indicators for studying the effects of PE on brain function. Existing studies support the idea that PE modifies various types of neural oscillations. While EEG-related literature in exercise science exists, a comprehensive review of the effects of exercise specifically in healthy populations has not yet been conducted. Given the demonstrated influence of exercise on neural plasticity, particularly cortical oscillatory activity, it is imperative to consolidate research on this phenomenon. Therefore, this review aims to summarize numerous PE studies on neuromodulatory mechanisms in the brain over the past decade, covering (1) effects of resistance and aerobic training on brain health via neural oscillations; (2) how mind-body exercise affects human neural activity and cognitive functioning; (3) age-Related effects of PE on brain health and neurodegenerative disease rehabilitation via neural oscillation mechanisms; and (4) conclusion and future direction. In conclusion, the effect of PE on cortical activity is a multifaceted process, and this review seeks to comprehensively examine and summarize existing studies' understanding of how PE regulates neural activity in the brain, providing a more scientific theoretical foundation for the development of personalized PE programs and further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interplay between compaction‐driven fluid flow and plastic yielding within porous media is investigated through numerical modeling. We establish a framework for understanding the dynamics of fluid flow in deforming porous materials that corresponds to the equations describing solitary porosity wave propagation. A concise derivation of the coupled fluid flow and poro‐viscoelastoplastic matrix behavior is presented, revealing a connection to Biot's equations of poroelasticity and Gassmann's theory in the elastic limit. Our findings demonstrate that fluid overpressure resulting from channelized fluid flow initiates the formation of new shear zones. Through three‐dimensional simulations, we observe that the newly formed shear zones exhibit a parabolic shape. Furthermore, plasticity exerts a significant influence on both the velocity of fluid flow and the shape of fluid channels. Importantly, our study highlights the potential of spontaneous channeling of porous fluids to trigger seismic events by activating both new and pre‐existing faults. Plain Language Summary: In this study, we looked at how fluids move through porous rocks and how they interact with the solid frame of the rocks. The physics was explored in two‐ and three‐dimensions by leveraging the power of high‐performance computing (HPC) based on graphical processing units (GPU). We found that two key processes occur at the same time: fluid flow gets concentrated into channels due to the changing pressure and interaction with the solid material, and it also forms dike‐like structures as it pushes into newly formed shear zones. Importantly, our study highlights the potential of spontaneous channeling of porous fluids to trigger seismic events by activating both new and pre‐existing faults. This research underscores the complex relationship between fluid flow dynamics and geomechanical processes, offering insights into the mechanisms underlying earthquake initiation. Key Points: We present the numerical modeling of fully coupled fluid flow and poro‐viscoelastoplastic matrix flow with decompaction weakeningWe show that fluid overpressure at the tip of the fluid flow channel triggers the development of non‐symmetric shear bandsWe discover that plastic yielding accelerates the fluid flow and modifies the fluid flow pattern [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tensile properties of sintered C f -ZrB 2 /SiC UHTCMCs were investigated for different lamination sequences, revealing ultimate strengths of 570 MPa (0°/0°), 120 MPa (0°/90°), and 40 MPa (90°/90°). The results facilitated modeling the material's non-linear tensile response, characterized by a remarkably prolonged plateau with pseudo-plastic behavior, followed by stiffness recovery before ultimate failure. A simplified analytical model was developed to predict this behavior originated by residual thermal stresses and inelastic phenomena. A complete constitutive law was then developed and implemented in a FE model, utilizing a bi-phasic approach including Drucker-Prager plasticity and orthotropic ductile damage. Two-step analyses were performed, starting with a thermal step to represent the buildup of a self-equilibrating RTS state in the material phases, followed by a mechanical simulation. This demonstrated the model's efficacy in capturing the non-linear response in both homogeneous and cross-ply lay-ups, contributing to advancements in materials engineering and the design of UHTCMCs-based hot structures. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suitable conditions for species to survive and reproduce constitute their ecological niche, which is built by abiotic conditions and interactions with conspecifics and heterospecifics. Organisms should ideally assess and use information about all these environmental dimensions to adjust their dispersal decisions depending on their own internal conditions. Dispersal plasticity is often considered through its dependence on abiotic conditions or conspecific density and, to a lesser extent, with reference to the effects of interactions with heterospecifics, potentially leading to misinterpretation of dispersal drivers. Here, we first review the evidence for the effects of and the potential interplays between abiotic factors, biotic interactions with conspecifics and heterospecifics and phenotype on dispersal decisions. We then present an experimental test of these potential interplays, investigating the effects of density and interactions with conspecifics and heterospecifics on temperature-dependent dispersal in microcosms of Tetrahymena ciliates. We found significant differences in dispersal rates depending on the temperature, density and presence of another strain or species. However, the presence and density of conspecifics and heterospecifics had no effects on the thermal-dependency of dispersal. We discuss the causes and consequences of the (lack of) interplay between the different environmental dimensions and the phenotype for metacommunity assembly and dynamics. This article is part of the theme issue 'Diversity-dependence of dispersal: interspecific interactions determine spatial dynamics'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersal is a well-recognized driver of ecological and evolutionary dynamics, and simultaneously an evolving trait. Dispersal evolution has traditionally been studied in single-species metapopulations so that it remains unclear how dispersal evolves in metacommunities and metafoodwebs, which are characterized by a multitude of species interactions. Since most natural systems are both species-rich and spatially structured, this knowledge gap should be bridged. Here, we discuss whether knowledge from dispersal evolutionary ecology established in single-species systems holds in metacommunities and metafoodwebs and we highlight generally valid and fundamental principles. Most biotic interactions form the backdrop to the ecological theatre for the evolutionary dispersal play because interactions mediate patterns of fitness expectations across space and time. While this allows for a simple transposition of certain known principles to a multispecies context, other drivers may require more complex transpositions, or might not be transferred. We discuss an important quantitative modulator of dispersal evolution—increased trait dimensionality of biodiverse meta-systems—and an additional driver: co-dispersal. We speculate that scale and selection pressure mismatches owing to co-dispersal, together with increased trait dimensionality, may lead to a slower and more 'diffuse' evolution in biodiverse meta-systems. Open questions and potential consequences in both ecological and evolutionary terms call for more investigation. This article is part of the theme issue 'Diversity-dependence of dispersal: interspecific interactions determine spatial dynamics'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human‐mediated animal movement can expose wildlife populations to novel environments. Phenotypic plasticity can buffer against the challenges presented by novel environments, while adaptation to local ecosystems may limit resilience in novel ecosystems. Outbreeding depression during the mixing of disparate gene pools can also reduce reproductive success after long‐distance movement. Here, we use a ‘common‐garden’ population of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), translocated from numerous sites across the state of Florida, USA, to a mitigation site in the north‐west (panhandle) region to assess whether geographic origin, outbreeding effects, and behavioral plasticity influence reproductive success in this threatened keystone species. We found that females from north‐east Florida produced clutches with lower hatching success than females from other regions. We detected regional differentiation in nest site selection behavior in the common environment of the translocation site, though these differences did not mediate the regional effect on hatching success. We also found evidence for outbreeding depression: hatching success declined with increasing parental geographic and genetic distances, dropping from 93% to 67% across the range of observed parental genetic distances. Together, these results suggest that newly admixed populations may suffer reproductive costs due to historical population differentiation, and that undetected outbreeding depression could significantly hamper conservation efforts for this species and others undergoing a variety of human‐mediated movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the neurosciences, concepts play an important role in the conception and direction of research. Among the theoretical notions and direction of research, plasticity stands out because of the multiple ways in which scientists use it to describe and interpret how the nervous system changes and adapts to different requirements. The occurrence of different conceptualizations of plasticity in the scientific literature during the second half of the twentieth century and up to the present was investigated using bibliometric methods. Throughout the period analyzed, synaptic plasticity has remained the dominant conceptualization of plasticity. However, scientists have continued to introduce novel plasticity concepts reflecting the scientific advances they have made in understanding the dynamic nature of the nervous system. The conceptual evolution of plasticity documents that the view of the adult nervous system as immutable has been replaced by an understanding of the nervous system as capable of lifelong change and adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern agriculture's goal of improving crop resource acquisition efficiency relies on the intricate relationship between the root system and the soil. Root and rhizosphere traits play a critical role in the efficient use of nutrients and water, especially under dynamic environments. This review emphasizes a holistic perspective, challenging the conventional separation of nutrient and water uptake processes and the necessity for an integrated approach. Anticipating climate change-induced increase in the likelihood of extreme weather events that result in fluctuations in soil moisture and nutrient availability, the study explores the adaptive potential of root and rhizosphere traits to mitigate stress. We emphasize the significance of root and rhizosphere characteristics that enable crops to rapidly respond to varying resource availabilities (i.e. the presence of water and mobile nutrients in the root zone) and their accessibility (i.e. the possibility to transport resources to the root surface). These traits encompass for example root hairs, mucilage and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) exudation, rhizosheath formation and the expression of nutrient and water transporters. Moreover, we recognize the challenge of balancing carbon investments, especially under stress, where optimized traits must consider carbon-efficient strategies. To advance our understanding, the review calls for well-designed field experiments, recognizing the limitations of controlled environments. Non-destructive methods such as mini rhizotron assessments and in-situ stable isotope techniques, in combination with destructive approaches such as root exudation analysis, are proposed for assessing root and rhizosphere traits. The integration of modeling, experimentation, and plant breeding is essential for developing resilient crop genotypes capable of adapting to evolving resource limitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Operculo-insular epilepsy (OIE) is a rare condition amenable to surgery in well-selected cases. Despite the high rate of neurological complications associated with OIE surgery, most postoperative deficits recover fully and rapidly. We provide insights into this peculiar pattern of functional recovery by investigating the longitudinal reorganization of structural networks after surgery for OIE in 10 patients. Methods: Structural T1 and diffusion-weighted MRIs were performed before surgery (t0) and at 6  months (t1) and 12  months (t2) postoperatively. These images were processed with an original, comprehensive structural connectivity pipeline. Using our method, we performed comparisons between the t0 and t1 timepoints and between the t1 and t2 timepoints to characterize the progressive structural remodeling. Results: We found a widespread pattern of postoperative changes primarily in the surgical hemisphere, most of which consisted of reductions in connectivity strength (CS) and regional graph theoretic measures (rGTM) that reflect local connectivity. We also observed increases in CS and rGTMs predominantly in regions located near the resection cavity and in the contralateral healthy hemisphere. Finally, most structural changes arose in the first six months following surgery (i.e., between t0 and t1). Discussion: To our knowledge, this study provides the first description of postoperative structural connectivity changes following surgery for OIE. The ipsilateral reductions in connectivity unveiled by our analysis may result from the reversal of seizure-related structural alterations following postoperative seizure control. Moreover, the strengthening of connections in peri-resection areas and in the contralateral hemisphere may be compatible with compensatory structural plasticity, a process that could contribute to the recovery of functions seen following operculo-insular resections for focal epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The virtual element method (VEM) allows discretization of elasticity and plasticity problems with polygons in 2D and polyhedrals in 3D. The polygons (and polyhedrals) can have an arbitrary number of sides and can be concave or convex. These features, among others, are attractive for meshing complex geometries. However, to the author's knowledge axisymmetric virtual elements have not appeared before in the literature. Hence, in this work a novel first order consistent axisymmetric VEM is applied to problems of elasticity and plasticity. The VEM specific implementation details and adjustments needed to solve axisymmetric simulations are presented. Representative benchmark problems including pressure vessels and circular plates are illustrated. Examples also show that problems of near incompressibility are solved successfully. Consequently, this research demonstrates that the axisymmetric VEM formulation successfully solves certain classes of solid mechanics problems. The work concludes with a discussion of results for the current formulation and future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel first‐ and second‐order stabilization‐free virtual element method is proposed for two‐dimensional elastoplastic problems. In contrast to traditional virtual element methods, the improved method does not require any stabilization, making the solution of nonlinear problems more reliable. The main idea is to modify the virtual element space to allow the computation of the higher‐order L2$$ {L}_2 $$ projection operator, ensuring that the strain and stress represent the element energy accurately. Considering the flexibility of the stabilization‐free virtual element method, the elastoplastic mechanical problems can be solved by radial return methods known from the traditional finite element framework. J2$$ {J}_2 $$ plasticity with hardening is considered for modeling the nonlinear response. Several numerical examples are provided to illustrate the capability and accuracy of the stabilization‐free virtual element method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary visual cortex (V1) in blindness is engaged in a wide spectrum of tasks and sensory modalities, including audition, touch, language, and memory. This widespread involvement raises questions regarding the constancy of its role and whether it might exhibit flexibility in its function over time, connecting to diverse network functions specific to task demands. This would suggest that reorganized V1 assumes a role like multiple-demand system regions. Alternatively, varying patterns of plasticity in blind V1 may be attributed to individual factors, with different blind individuals recruiting V1 preferentially for different functions. In support of this, we recently showed that V1 functional connectivity (FC) varies greatly across blind individuals. But do these represent stable individual patterns of plasticity, or are they driven more by instantaneous changes, like a multiple-demand system now inhabiting V1? Here, we tested whether individual FC patterns from the V1 of blind individuals are stable over time. We show that over two years, FC from the V1 is unique and highly stable in a small sample of repeatedly sampled congenitally blind individuals. Further, using multivoxel pattern analysis, we demonstrate that the unique reorganization patterns of these individuals allow decoding of participant identity. Together with recent evidence for substantial individual differences in V1 connectivity, this indicates that there may be a consistent role for V1 in blindness, which may differ for each individual. Further, it suggests that the variability in visual reorganization in blindness across individuals could be used to seek stable neuromarkers for sight rehabilitation and assistive approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine foundation species underpin some of the world's most diverse ecosystems but they are increasingly threatened by intensification of marine heatwaves (MHWs). Where MHWs exceed critical thermal maxima (CTmax), increased mortality and population declines can occur. CTmax is increasingly used to assess MHW population vulnerability but studies estimating CTmax across species, range edges and thermal histories in a comparable manner remain lacking. We determined the impact of MHWs on subsequent CTmax estimates of matched cool/warm affinity pairs of marine foundation species (kelp, seagrass and bivalves) in the Western English Channel. Following a 4‐week MHW simulation, individuals were subjected to a CTmax trial, where temperatures were raised by 2°C day−1 until physiological end points were reached. We found no positive effect of MHWs on CTmax but clear negative impacts were observed for some groups of foundation species. Increased MHW intensity had a stepwise negative impact on the physiology of both warm (Laminaria ochroleuca) and cool water (L. digitata) kelp species that manifested in significant reductions in CTmax. Surprisingly, this was most marked in the warm water species, which runs opposite to the assumed safety of leading‐edge populations. The physiology of warm (Zostera noltii) and cool (Z. marina) seagrasses was negatively impacted by increasing MHW intensity but no significant decrease in CTmax was observed. Both bivalve species (Mytilus edulis and Magallana gigas) showed marked resistance to exposure to MHWs, which was unexpected given the observed vulnerability of these species to stressful summertime conditions. Our results show pre‐exposure to realistic MHWs can influence CTmax values but generalities are difficult to make across groups or based on assumed thermal safety margins. We show CTmax is a labile trait and exposure to MHWs, can erode the resilience of an individual or population to subsequent thermal challenges. This leaves uncertainty within frameworks built to understand where and when MHWs will be most impactful. Further experimentation across a wider range of species and thermal challenges is needed to better understand the dynamic nature of CTmax and field validation is needed to determine the responses of individuals and populations within complex natural systems. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synaptic excitation and inhibition are essential for neuronal communication. However, the variables that regulate synaptic excitation and inhibition in the intact brain remain largely unknown. Here, we examined how spike transmission and suppression between principal cells (PCs) and interneurons (INTs) are modulated by activity history, brain state, cell type, and somatic distance between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons by applying cross‐correlogram analyses to datasets recorded from the dorsal hippocampus and medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) of 11 male behaving and sleeping Long Evans rats. The strength, temporal delay, and brain‐state dependency of the spike transmission and suppression depended on the subregions/layers. The spike transmission probability of PC–INT excitatory pairs that showed short‐term depression versus short‐term facilitation was higher in CA1 and lower in CA3. Likewise, the intersomatic distance affected the proportion of PC–INT excitatory pairs that showed short‐term depression and facilitation in the opposite manner in CA1 compared with CA3. The time constant of depression was longer, while that of facilitation was shorter in MEC than in CA1 and CA3. During sharp‐wave ripples, spike transmission showed a larger gain in the MEC than in CA1 and CA3. The intersomatic distance affected the spike transmission gain during sharp‐wave ripples differently in CA1 versus CA3. A subgroup of MEC layer 3 (EC3) INTs preferentially received excitatory inputs from and inhibited MEC layer 2 (EC2) PCs. The EC2 PC–EC3 INT excitatory pairs, most of which showed short‐term depression, exhibited higher spike transmission probabilities than the EC2 PC–EC2 INT and EC3 PC–EC3 INT excitatory pairs. EC2 putative stellate cells exhibited stronger spike transmission to and received weaker spike suppression from EC3 INTs than EC2 putative pyramidal cells. This study provides detailed comparisons of monosynaptic interaction dynamics in the hippocampal–entorhinal loop, which may help to elucidate circuit operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban environments are warmer than the rural surroundings, impacting plant phenotypic traits. When plants are present over areas with contrasted conditions such as along urbanization gradients, their phenotypes may differ, and these differences depend on different processes, including phenotypic plasticity, maternal environmental effects and genetic differentiation (local adaptation and/or genetic drift). Successful establishment of alien species along environmental gradients has been linked to high phenotypic plasticity and rapid evolutionary responses, which are easier to track for species with a known residence time. The mechanisms explaining trait variation in plants in urban versus rural microclimatic conditions have received little attention. Using the alien Veronica persica as model species, we measured leaf traits in urban and rural populations and performed a reciprocal common-garden experiment to study how germination, leaf, growth, and flowering traits varied in response to experimental microclimate (rural or urban) and population origin environment (rural or urban). Veronica persica displayed phenotypic plasticity in all measured traits, with reduced germination, development, and flowering under urban microclimate which suggests more stressful growing conditions in the urban than in the rural microclimate. No significant effect of the rural or urban origin environment was detected, providing no evidence for local adaptation to urban or rural environments. Additionally, we found limited signs of maternal environmental effects. We noted the importance of the mother plant and the population identities suggesting genetically based differences. Our results indicate that urban environments are more hostile than rural ones, and that V. persica does not show any adaptation to urban environments despite genetic differences between populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low‐intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) technique with high spatial specificity. Previous studies showed that TUS delivered in a theta burst pattern (tbTUS) increased motor cortex (MI) excitability up to 30 minutes due to long‐term potentiation (LTP)–like plasticity. Studies using other forms of NIBS suggested that cortical plasticity may be impaired in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Objective: The aim was to investigate the neurophysiological effects of tbTUS in PD patients off and on dopaminergic medications compared to healthy controls. Methods: We studied 20 moderately affected PD patients in on and off dopaminergic medication states (7 with and 13 without dyskinesia) and 17 age‐matched healthy controls in a case‐controlled study. tbTUS was applied for 80 seconds to the MI. Motor‐evoked potentials (MEP), short‐interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and short‐interval intracortical facilitation (SICF) were recorded at baseline, and at 5 minutes (T5), T30, and T60 after tbTUS. Motor Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (mUPDRS) was measured at baseline and T60. Results: tbTUS significantly increased MEP amplitude at T30 compared to baseline in controls and in PD patients on but not in PD patients off medications. SICI was reduced in PD off medications compared to controls. tbTUS did not change in SICI or SICF. The bradykinesia subscore of mUPDRS was reduced at T60 compared to baseline in PD on but not in the off medication state. The presence of dyskinesia did not affect tbTUS‐induced plasticity. Conclusions: tbTUS‐induced LTP plasticity is impaired in PD patients off medications and is restored by dopaminergic medications. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major axis of phenotypic plasticity not only in diseased conditions such as cancer metastasis and fibrosis but also during normal development and wound healing. Yet-another important axis of plasticity with metastatic implications includes the cancer stem cell (CSCs) and non-CSC transitions. However, in both processes, epithelial (E) and mesenchymal (M) phenotypes are not merely binary states. Cancer cells acquire a spectrum of phenotypes with traits, properties, and markers of both E and M phenotypes, giving rise to intermediary hybrid (E/M) phenotypes. E/M cells play an important role in tumor initiation, metastasis, and disease progression in multiple cancers. Furthermore, the hybrid phenotypes also play a major role in causing therapeutic resistance in cancer. Here, we discuss how a systems biology perspective on the problem, which is implicit in the 'Team Medicine' approach outlined in the theme of this Special Issue of The Journal of Clinical Medicine and includes an interdisciplinary team of experts, is more likely to shed new light on EMT in cancer and help us to identify novel therapeutics and strategies to target phenotypic plasticity in cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Understanding how widespread species adapt to variation in abiotic conditions across their ranges is fundamental to ecology. Insight may come from studying how among‐population variation (APV) in the common garden corresponds with the environmental conditions of source populations. However, there are no such studies comparing native vs non‐native populations across multiple life stages.We examined APV in the performance and functional traits of 59 Conyza canadensis populations, in response to drought, across large aridity gradients in the native (North America) and non‐native (Eurasia) ranges in three experiments. Our treatment (dry vs wet) was applied at the recruitment, juvenile, and adult life stages.We found contrasting patterns of APV in drought responses between the two ranges. In the native range, plant performance was less reduced by drought in populations from xeric than mesic habitats, but such relationship was not apparent for non‐native populations. These range‐specific patterns were consistent across the life stages.The weak adaptive responses of non‐native populations indicate that they can become highly abundant even without complete local adaptation to abiotic environments and suggest that long‐established invaders may still be evolving to the abiotic environment. These findings may explain lag times in invasions and raise concern about future expansions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botulinum toxin (BoNT), a presynaptic inhibitor of acetylcholine (Ach) release at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), is a successful and safe drug for the treatment of several neurological disorders. However, a wide and recent literature review has demonstrated that BoNT exerts its effects not only at the "periphery" but also within the central nervous system (CNS). Studies from animal models, in fact, have shown a retrograde transport to the CNS, thus modulating synaptic function. The increasing number of articles reporting efficacy of BoNT on chronic neuropathic pain (CNP), a complex disease of the CNS, demonstrates that the central mechanisms of BoNT are far from being completely elucidated. In this new light, BoNT might interfere with the activity of spinal, brain stem, and cortical circuitry, modulating excitability and the functional organization of CNS in healthy conditions. Botulinum toxins efficacy on CNP is the result of a wide and complex action on many and diverse mechanisms at the basis of the maladaptive plasticity, the core of the pathogenesis of CNP. This systematic review aims to discuss in detail the BoNT's mechanisms and effects on peripheral and central neuroplasticity, at the basis for the clinical efficacy in CNP syndromes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic traits are argued to favor the establishment of invasive alien plants and to evolve during the invasion process, so that invasions may be favored by both plasticity and evolutionary changes in plasticity. Despite this aspect being pivotal to understanding invasion processes, no information is available about the effect of residence time on the evolution of phenotypic plasticity of aliens to produce locally adapted phenotypes. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate changes in the morpho-functional traits of the invasive alien Ambrosia trifida L. over time. Specifically, we grew A. trifida plants under laboratory (at different temperatures: 10 °C, 20 °C and 25 °C) and field conditions by using seeds collected from 2011 to 2020 from an Eastern European population. Data about seedling emergence, vegetative (laboratory and field) and reproductive (field) traits were collected, e.g., maximum plant height (cm), total dry biomass (g), number of flowers (n) and number of new seeds (n). Analysis of variance (ANOVA), linear regressions and a plasticity index were applied to assess differences in plant performances when grown from seeds of different ages. An auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was applied to predict future trends of some key plant traits (maximum height, total dry biomass and number of new seeds). Overall, the time of seedling emergence was not statistically different among seeds of different age, and regression analyses exhibited a positive relationship between residence time (seed age) and vegetative and reproductive parameters of A. trifida. Only male flower production exhibited a negative trend over time. At all temperatures (especially at 25 °C), the vegetative parameters increased with the decrease in residence time. The plasticity index of the measured traits tended to decrease over time for most traits both in the field and in the laboratory trials. The ARIMA model predicted that plant traits will continue to increase in size over time by 2030, suggesting further plastic adaptation of A. trifida. The results highlighted that residence time influences the evolution of phenotypic plasticity of A. trifida, which has strengthened its adaptability to the new conditions over a decade, also demonstrating a great adaptive and invasion potential for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence suggests that the brain exhibits a remarkable capacity for functional compensation in response to neurological damage, a resilience potential that is deeply rooted in the malleable features of its underlying anatomofunctional architecture. This propensity is particularly exemplified by diffuse low-grade glioma, a subtype of primary brain tumour. However, functional plasticity is not boundless, and surgical resections directed at structures with limited neuroplasticity can lead to incapacitating impairments. Yet, maximizing diffuse low-grade glioma resections offers substantial oncological benefits, especially when the resection extends beyond the tumour margins (i.e. supra-tumour or supratotal resection). In this context, the primary objective of this study was to identify which cerebral structures were associated with less favourable cognitive outcomes after surgery, while accounting for intra-tumour and supra-tumour features of the surgical resections. To achieve this objective, we leveraged a unique cohort of 400 patients with diffuse low-grade glioma who underwent surgery with awake cognitive mapping. Patients benefitted from a neuropsychological assessment consisting of 18 subtests administered before and 3 months after surgery. We analysed changes in performance and applied topography-focused and disconnection-focused multivariate lesion–symptom mapping using support vector regressions, in an attempt to capture resected cortico-subcortical structures less amenable to full cognitive compensation. The observed changes in performance were of a limited magnitude, suggesting an overall recovery (13 of 18 tasks recovered fully despite a mean resection extent of 92.4%). Nevertheless, lesion–symptom mapping analyses revealed that a lack of recovery in picture naming was linked to damage in the left inferior temporal gyrus and inferior longitudinal fasciculus. Likewise, for semantic fluency abilities, an association was established with damage to the left precuneus/posterior cingulate. For phonological fluency abilities, the left dorsomedial frontal cortex and the frontal aslant tract were implicated. Moreover, difficulties in spatial exploration were associated with injury to the right dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and its underlying connectivity. An exploratory analysis suggested that supra-tumour resections were associated with a less pronounced recovery following specific resection patterns, such as supra-tumour resections of the left uncinate fasciculus (picture naming), the left corticostriatal tract and the anterior corpus callosum (phonological fluency), the hippocampus and parahippocampus (episodic memory) and the right frontal–mesial areas (visuospatial exploration). Collectively, these patterns of results shed new light on both low-resilient neural systems and the prediction of cognitive recovery following glioma surgery. Furthermore, they indicate that supra-tumour resections were only occasionally less well tolerated from a cognitive viewpoint. In doing so, they have deep implications for surgical planning and rehabilitation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining preoperatively the maximal extent of resection that would preserve cognitive functions is the core challenge of brain tumour surgery. Over the past decade, the methodological framework to achieve this goal has been thoroughly renewed: the population-level topographically-focused voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping has been progressively overshadowed by machine learning (ML) algorithmics, in which the problem is framed as predicting cognitive outcomes in a patient-specific manner from a typically large set of variables. However, the choice of these predictors is of utmost importance, as they should be both informative and parsimonious. In this perspective, we first introduce the concept of connectotomy: instead of parameterizing resection topography through the status (intact/resected) of a huge number of voxels (or parcels) paving the whole brain in the Cartesian 3D-space, the connectotomy models the resection in the connectivity space, by computing a handful number of networks disconnection indices, measuring how the structural connectivity sustaining each network of interest was hit by the resection. This connectivity-informed reduction of dimensionality is a necessary step for efficiently implementing ML tools, given the relatively small number of patient-examples in available training datasets. We further argue that two other major sources of interindividual variability must be considered to improve the accuracy with which outcomes are predicted: the underlying structure-function phenotype and neuroplasticity, for which we provide an in-depth review and propose new ways of determining relevant predictors. We finally discuss the benefits of our approach for precision surgery of glioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Practical fracture limit surfaces (FLSs) considering data flexibility. • A profile function for nonlinear fracture data variations in strain-based FLS. • Stress-based FLS considering evolution of stress anisotropy in the Lagrangian frame. • Both models were validated by experimental data set. • The model effectively represents the flexibility of fracture data. Ductile fracture limits have been extensively studied from the perspectives of material science and mechanics. While these studies have provided scientifically significant insights into ductile fracture limits, the influence of the evolution of anisotropy observed in actual experimental data suggests a need to account for diversity in the experimental data. To address this, it may be possible to further develop the model by investigating more influences from the field of materials science. However, from an engineering perspective, it can be effective to represent the diversity of acquired experimental data as practical functions for use, rather than solely focusing on the material science aspect. This paper presents mathematical formulations representing the strain- and stress-based fracture limit surfaces of ductile materials, to consider diverse data set for the evolution of anisotropy, under plane-stress conditions within the framework of the Lagrangian formulation. The model introduces a strain-based fracture limit surface (FLS), which has an additional anisotropic profile function based on the commonly used two-dimensional strain-based fracture limit curve (FLC). The anisotropic profile function is capable of capturing the evolving anisotropic profile based on the deformation mode and principal loading direction to represent more flexible shapes. With this function, a three-dimensional strain-based FLS, which can present the variation in fracture strains in the space of the deformation mode and principal loading direction, can be constructed. Then, the proposed model transformed this strain-based FLS into a stress-based FLS by converting the presented state vector in the former into the corresponding vector in the latter in the Lagrangian formulation. To achieve this, this study developed a formulation that considers the nonlinear evolution of stress anisotropy independent of the strain anisotropy during stress evolution. The two proposed models were validated by experimental results on a dual-phase steel. These models provide flexible fracture limit functions for ductile materials under varying stress and strain conditions in engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During mild or moderate exercise, alveolar ventilation increases in direct proportion to metabolic rate, regulating arterial CO2 pressure near resting levels. Mechanisms giving rise to the hyperpnoea of exercise are unsettled despite over a century of investigation. In the past three decades, neuroscience has advanced tremendously, raising optimism that the 'exercise hyperpnoea dilemma' can finally be solved. In this review, new perspectives are offered in the hope of stimulating original ideas based on modern neuroscience methods and current understanding. We first describe the ventilatory control system and the challenge exercise places upon blood‐gas regulation. We highlight relevant system properties, including feedforward, feedback and adaptive (i.e., plasticity) control of breathing. We then elaborate a seldom explored hypothesis that the exercise ventilatory response continuously adapts (learns and relearns) throughout life and ponder if the memory 'engram' encoding the feedforward exercise ventilatory stimulus could reside within the cerebellum. Our hypotheses are based on accumulating evidence supporting the cerebellum's role in motor learning and the numerous direct and indirect projections from deep cerebellar nuclei to brainstem respiratory neurons. We propose that cerebellar learning may be obligatory for the accurate and adjustable exercise hyperpnoea capable of tracking changes in life conditions/experiences, and that learning arises from specific cerebellar microcircuits that can be interrogated using powerful techniques such as optogenetics and chemogenetics. Although this review is speculative, we consider it essential to reframe our perspective if we are to solve the till‐now intractable exercise hyperpnoea dilemma. What is the topic of this review?This review reframes our perspective on the control of breathing during mild or moderate exercise, emphasising concepts of learning, memory and plasticity.What advances does it highlight?We propose that exercise hyperpnoea continuously adapts to ever‐changing life conditions/experiences. We question if the memory 'engram' encoding exercise hyperpnoea resides within the cerebellum and outline powerful new methods to test this hypothesis. It is our hope that this review generates new ideas and renewed study of exercise hyperpnoea in the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riparian ecosystems are under a serious threat of invasion due to the clearance of riparian vegetation, which allows for increased light levels at ground level. This study presents the interactions between native Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex DC and invasive Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. during the colonization stage along a light gradient under tropical climate conditions. We conducted a 6 week growth experiment with monocultures of A. philoxeroides and A.sessilis and mixed communities of two species under four light levels (100%, 46%, 26% and 14% of full sunlight). Exposure to full sunlight (nearly 1800 μmol m−2 s−1) resulted in a significantly high biomass accrual in both species. However, biomass accrual did not correlate with the light intensity. At higher shade levels, reduction of lateral spread and shoot/root ratio was observed. Community composition had no influence on biomass accrual or morphological variations. Plasticity index values were approximately same in both species. Total relative yield was approximately two in all shade conditions, indicating that the two species interact neutrally along the light gradient. Therefore, the results of the study indicate that increased light levels will accelerate the proliferation of both species in riparian zones. Nevertheless, increased or decreased shade is unlikely to alter neutral interactions between A. philoxeroides and A. sessilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environment is changing rapidly, and considerable research is aimed at understanding the capacity of organisms to respond. Changes in environmental temperature are particularly concerning as most animals are ectothermic, with temperature considered a key factor governing their ecology, biogeography, behaviour and physiology. The ability of ectotherms to persist in an increasingly warm, variable, and unpredictable future will depend on their nutritional status. Nutritional resources (e.g. food availability, quality, options) vary across space and time and in response to environmental change, but animals also have the capacity to alter how much they eat and what they eat, which may help them improve their performance under climate change. In this review, we discuss the state of knowledge in the intersection between animal nutrition and temperature. We take a mechanistic approach to describe nutrients (i.e. broad macronutrients, specific lipids, and micronutrients) that may impact thermal performance and discuss what is currently known about their role in ectotherm thermal plasticity, thermoregulatory behaviour, diet preference, and thermal tolerance. We finish by describing how this topic can inform ectotherm biogeography, behaviour, and aquaculture research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hunting has a long tradition in human evolutionary history and remains a common leisure activity or an important source of food. Herein, we first briefly review the literature on the demographic consequences of hunting and associated analytical methods. We then address the question of potential selective hunting and its possible genetic/evolutionary consequences. Birds have historically been popular models for demographic studies, and the huge amount of census and ringing data accumulated over the last century has paved the way for research about the demographic effects of harvesting. By contrast, the literature on the evolutionary consequences of harvesting is dominated by studies on mammals (especially ungulates) and fish. In these taxa, individuals selected for harvest often have particular traits such as large body size or extravagant secondary sexual characters (e.g. antlers, horns, etc.). Our review shows that targeting individuals according to such genetically heritable traits can exert strong selective pressures and alter the evolutionary trajectory of populations for these or correlated traits. Studies focusing on the evolutionary consequences of hunting in birds are extremely rare, likely because birds within populations appear much more similar, and do not display individual differences to the same extent as many mammals and fishes. Nevertheless, even without conscious choice by hunters, there remains the potential for selection through hunting in birds, for example by genetically inherited traits such as personality or pace‐of‐life. We emphasise that because so many bird species experience high hunting pressure, the possible selective effect of harvest in birds and its evolutionary consequences deserves far more attention, and that hunting may be one major driver of bird evolutionary trajectories that should be carefully considered in wildlife management schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the performance of a Proportional-Integral (PI) automatic control system for the operation of the main channel of the northern branch of the Abshar irrigation network was evaluated under low-water operation scenarios. The actions taken to achieve the research objectives included:1) Development of a hydraulic flow simulation model in the main channel of the Abshar irrigation network using a simplified Integral-Delay (ID) mathematical model. 2) Development of a decentralized PI automatic control operation model. 3) Coupling the automatic operation control model with the hydraulic simulation model in MATLAB and determining the proportional and integral coefficients of each controller using system identification methods. 4) Simulation of the operation status using the designed automatic system under normal, low-water, and severe low-water operation scenarios with input fluctuations. The simulation results demonstrated that the controller had acceptable capability in implementing desirable operation under normal operation scenarios, with performance evaluation indices MAE, IAE, and STE fluctuating within the ranges of 0.11 to 0.140, 0.0013 to 0.0182, and 0.0001 to 0.0011, respectively. With the emergence of low-water scenarios and their intensification, water distribution conditions were assessed as desirable in upstream intakes but uncertain in downstream intakes. The calculated maximum error values in the lower intervals ranged from -10 to -20 and -35 to -45 centimeters, respectively. The results showed that the controller transferred the effects of low-water conditions and inflow fluctuations downstream, resulting in desirable surface water distribution for upstream intakes but inappropriate distribution for downstream intakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin tissue-resident memory T (Trm) cells are produced by antigenic stimulation and remain in the skin for a long time without entering the peripheral circulation. In the healthy state Trm cells can play a patrolling and surveillance role, but in the disease state Trm cells differentiate into various phenotypes associated with different diseases, exhibit different localizations, and consequently have local protective or pathogenic roles, such as disease recurrence in vitiligo and maintenance of immune homeostasis in melanoma. The most common surface marker of Trm cells is CD69/CD103. However, the plasticity of tissueresident memory T cells after colonization remains somewhat uncertain. This ambiguity is largely due to the variation in the functionality and ultimate destination of Trm cells produced from memory cells differentiated from diverse precursors. Notably, the presence of Trm cells is not stationary across numerous non-lymphoid tissues, most notably in the skin. These cells may reenter the blood and distant tissue sites during the recall response, revealing the recycling and migration potential of the Trm cell progeny. This review focuses on the origin and function of skin Trm cells, and provides new insights into the role of skin Trm cells in the treatment of autoimmune skin diseases, infectious skin diseases, and tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophages are versatile immune cells with remarkable plasticity, enabling them to adapt to diverse tissue microenvironments and perform various functions. Traditionally categorized into classically activated (M1) and alternatively activated (M2) phenotypes, recent advances have revealed a spectrum of macrophage activation states that extend beyond this dichotomy. The complex interplay of signaling pathways, transcriptional regulators, and epigenetic modifications orchestrates macrophage polarization, allowing them to respond to various stimuli dynamically. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the signaling cascades governing macrophage plasticity, focusing on the roles of Toll‐like receptors, signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins, nuclear receptors, and microRNAs. We also discuss the emerging concepts of macrophage metabolic reprogramming and trained immunity, contributing to their functional adaptability. Macrophage plasticity plays a pivotal role in tissue repair and regeneration, with macrophages coordinating inflammation, angiogenesis, and matrix remodeling to restore tissue homeostasis. By harnessing the potential of macrophage plasticity, novel therapeutic strategies targeting macrophage polarization could be developed for various diseases, including chronic wounds, fibrotic disorders, and inflammatory conditions. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning macrophage plasticity will pave the way for innovative regenerative medicine and tissue engineering approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite of intensive research on concrete fatigue, the transfer of fatigue characteristics determined at the material level to the structural level remains a challenging issue. In this paper, the propagation of fatigue‐induced damage through the concrete structure is analyzed using a microplane fatigue model for concrete recently developed by the authors. To this end, our recent experimental study in which the fatigue propagation was monitored at the structural level represented by prestressed concrete beams is used to derive a general interpretation of the stress redistribution process using of the developed model. The numerical studies show that the developed microplane fatigue model provides a powerful computational tool for in‐depth analysis of the correspondence between the fatigue behavior at the material and structural scales in a wide range of load configurations. In addition, the thermodynamically based constitutive model allows for the quantification of the energy dissipation during the process, revealing the possibility of deriving material‐specific energetic characteristics that can further help to make the predictions of fatigue life more accurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]