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Niche dynamics of alien plant species in Mediterranean Europe
No full textHumans have spread plants globally for millennia, inadvertently causing ecological disruptions. Apart from their negative effects, biological invasions provide a unique opportunity to study how species modify their niche when confronted with novel environments. Focusing on the Mediterranean Basin, we assessed (1) which traits influence niche dynamics, and (2) whether niche conservatism or niche shift promotes invasion success. We selected the 80 most widespread alien vascular plant species in Mediterranean Europe and compiled data on their distributions in their native and invaded ranges. We then tested how a species' residence time, biogeographic origin, dispersal ability, functional traits, and intraspecific trait variability (ITV) influence its niche dynamics following invasion. Using already published independent data, we finally assessed whether niche dynamics can explain different dimensions of invasion success (quantified as regional spread or local abundance). We found that niche shifts were common (71% of species) and were mostly driven by species failing to occupy all suitable environments in their invaded range (unfilling), regardless of residence time. Niche unfilling and niche expansion were more important in species with high intraspecific trait variability introduced from non-Mediterranean biomes (temperate or tropical). Niche expansion was also greater in species with long-distance dispersal, a narrow native niche, and bigger seeds. Interestingly, invasion success correlated more with a species' ability to conserve its niche and residence time than with niche expansion. Niche shifts were better predicted by species traits than residence time. For example, high adaptive and acclimatization potential (inferred from high intraspecific trait variability) favored niche shifts in general, and long-distance dispersal favored niche expansion. Understanding how these traits relate to niche dynamics is important since a species' ability to conserve and fill its niche is, in turn, a good predictor of invasion success
Coordinated expression of BMP10 / ALK1 /endoglin—proteins that drive embryonic cardiac and vascular morphogenesis—in patients with heart failure: the EMPEROR Program
Get PDFAims:
Bone morphogenetic protein 10 (BMP10), activin receptor‐like kinase 1 (ALK1) and endoglin form a single transforming growth factor‐β family signalling complex that is the principal driver of cardiac and vascular morphogenesis and maturation during hypoxic embryonic development. These proteins are down‐regulated with the onset of normoxia at birth, but are up‐regulated following experimental cardiac injury. Yet, little is known about the expression of this protein complex in patients with heart failure.
Methods and results:
In the EMPEROR Program, we measured serum levels of BMP10 by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay in 1127 patients in Cohort 1 ( n = 1127) and plasma levels of BMP10, ALK1 and endoglin by proximity extension assay in a distinct Cohort 2 ( n = 1120). In both cohorts, patients were characterized at baseline and were followed for the occurrence of major adverse heart failure events. Levels of BMP10, ALK1 and endoglin at baseline and changes in these levels during follow‐up were closely correlated with each other. Higher levels of BMP10, ALK1 and endoglin were associated with worse functional class, higher likelihood of atrial fibrillation and higher levels of natriuretic peptides and troponin T ( p for trend <0.001 for all). Increasing levels of BMP10, ALK1 and endoglin were associated with progressively higher risks of major adverse outcomes ( p for trend <0.001 for all three proteins and for all heart failure endpoints). The hazard ratios for the risks associated with tertiles of the three proteins in Cohort 2 were remarkably similar to those seen with BMP10 in Cohort 1. Treatment with empagliflozin had a modest effect to reduce BMP10 in both cohorts.
Conclusions:
The coordinated circulating expression of proteins critical to foetal cardiac and vascular development tracks closely with the severity of heart failure, as reflected by symptoms, cardiac injury and stress, prevalence of atrial fibrillation and other comorbidities, and prognosis, suggesting a role of BMP10/ALK1/endoglin signalling in the progression of heart failure
Fundamental constraints and questions from the study of Martian meteorites and the need for returned samples
Get PDFPhysical materials from planetary bodies are crucial for understanding fundamental processes that constrain the evolution of the solar system, as samples can be analyzed at high precision and accuracy in Earth-based laboratories. Mars is the only planet outside of Earth from which we possess samples in the form of meteorites. Martian meteorites (n > 350) have enabled constraints to be placed on various aspects of the red planet’s formation and evolution, notably: that Mars accreted and differentiated rapidly; that the planet has a complex volatile element evolution; and that it has always been volcanically active with a rich and diverse magmatic history. Meteorites have limitations, however, with lack of field context, restricted lithological diversity compared to the martian surface, and with no sampling of a major portion of Mars’ history between 4.1 and 2.4 billion years ago. Returned samples from Mars have the potential to fill these gaps and answer many open questions driven by the study of meteorites, as well as reveal new fundamental research questions. Key questions that Mars Sample Return is likely to answer regard the basic evolution of the martian interior and surface, its potential for habitability and the possibility of past life, and calibration of age dating of the martian surface. Samples of various lithologies and different ages collected at Jezero crater by the Perseverance rover will aid in better understanding our own planet and will answer outstanding questions regarding Mars’ future geological evolution and habitability
Discovery of a potent, selective, and brain-penetrant checkpoint kinase 1 Inhibitor, BEN-28010, for the treatment of glioblastoma
No full textGlioblastoma (GBM) patients face a dire prognosis and alternative therapeutic options are desperately needed. Inhibition of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) represents a potential therapeutic strategy for GBM through regulation of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway, but no suitable brain-penetrant CHK1 inhibitors have been reported to date. In this study, we disclose the discovery and optimization of clinical candidate 38 (BEN-28010) as a freely brain-penetrant, potent, and selective CHK1 inhibitor, derived from virtual screening hit 1. In vivo pharmacological studies demonstrated efficacy of orally administered 38 in several GBM CDX and PDX models as a monotherapy and in combination with ionizing radiation, including improved overall survival in an intracranially implanted GBM PDX mouse model. Additionally, 38 utilizes an underrepresented aminoimidazole kinase hinge-binding motif that may have broader utility within kinase inhibitor drug discovery
Digital Media Watermark Attack Algorithm Based on Multi-Scale Feature Fusion
No full textTo enhance the accuracy of watermark attacks and
preserve image fidelity in digital media products, this study
proposes MSAFAN, a watermark attack algorithm based on
multi-scale feature fusion. The method strengthens multi-scale
perception through feature decomposition and dynamic gating
mechanisms. Experiments conducted on the COCO2017 dataset
demonstrate that MSAFAN achieves a favorable balance between
image fidelity and watermark disruption under various noise
conditions, outperforming traditional attack methods in overall
performance. Ablation studies further confirm the critical roles of
multi-scale enhancement and contextual modeling modules. This
research enriches the theoretical framework of adversarial image
security and provides new technical support for efficient
watermark attacks
Enhancing Systematic Interoperability: Convergences and Mismatches Between Web 3.0 and the EU Data Act
No full textInteroperability is increasingly recognised as a
foundational principle for fostering innovation, competition,
and user autonomy in the evolving digital ecosystem. Existing
research on interoperability predominantly focuses either on
technological interoperability itself or on the legal regulations
concerning interoperability, with insufficient exploration of
their interdisciplinary intersection. This paper compares the
technological interoperability in Web 3.0 with the theoretical
framework of legal interoperability established by the EU Data
Act, analysing the areas of convergence and mismatch. The goal
is to align technical interoperability with legal concepts of
interoperability, thereby enhancing the practical
implementation of systematic interoperability in the next
generation of the Web. Through a comparative analysis of
technological and legal interoperability, this study finds that,
firstly, Web 3.0’s concept of interoperability spans data,
systems, and applications, while the Data Act focuses solely on
data. This narrow scope risks creating a fragmented ecosystem,
where data exchange is possible, but full integration of systems
and applications is hindered, leading to inefficiencies, and
obstructing seamless data flow across platforms. Secondly,
while Web 3.0 technically seeks to achieve interoperability
through the integration of entire systems and decentralised
applications, the compliance with Data Act might negatively
limit such system and application interoperability through its
data interoperability provisions. This paper suggests
interdisciplinary recommendations to enhance the
implementation and enforcement of interoperability. On one
hand, the Data Act should broaden its concept of
interoperability to encompass both the systems and applications
layers. On the other hand, it is advisable to introduce provisions
for standardised protocols through soft law mechanisms to
address legal shortcomings and keep pace with technological
advancements
Acute corticospinal and reticulospinal responses to strength training in ageing
Get PDFAgeing is associated with declines in neuromuscular function, yet the neural mechanisms underlying strength adaptations in older adults remain unclear. While the corticospinal tract (CST) is the primary pathway for voluntary movement, the reticulospinal tract (RST) may play a compensatory role with age. This study investigated CST and RST responses following a single session of high-intensity metronome-paced strength training (MPST) in young and older adults. Thirty-five participants (17 young, 18 older) performed unilateral biceps curls at 70–75 % of their one-repetition maximum (1-RM). Cortical and subcortical excitability were assessed pre- and post-exercise using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and the StartReact paradigm. Young adults showed significant increases in corticospinal excitability (CSE; p < 0.05) and early-phase motor evoked potentials (MEPs) following exercise, whereas no changes were observed in older adults. Both groups exhibited reductions in silent period duration (SP; p < 0.01) and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI; p < 0.05), suggesting a general release of inhibition. However, no significant changes in reaction time or evidence of enhanced RST drive were observed in either group. These findings highlight age-related differences in the modulation of descending pathways, with older adults showing reduced CSE plasticity following acute MPST, possibly reflecting delayed potentiation due to ageing. Although MPST effectively reduced inhibition, it may be insufficient to engage the RST in older adults. Future research should explore alternative training modalities that more directly target subcortical circuits to optimise functional outcomes in ageing populations
Reticulospinal function can be measured in the tibialis anterior using the StartReact method
Get PDFThe neurophysiology of dorsiflexor motor pools are highly studied, with previous work showing adaptations in corticospinal tract function, but little is known about the responsiveness of the reticulospinal tract (RST). Specifically, it is unknown if RST function can be measured indirectly in the tibialis anterior (TA). RST function was quantified using the StartReact protocol whereby dorsi flexor contractions were performed ‘as fast as possible’ in response to visual (VRT), visual auditory (VART; 80 dB), or visual-startling (VSRT; 110 dB) cues; with reaction time and the rate of torque development (RTD) calculated. We assessed the reproducibility of responses on two separate days separated by 3 weeks. Reaction times were faster during VSRT vs. VART during both visits (−7 ms; P < 0.001) confirming a StartReact effect. During the StartReact assessment, voluntary torque (F2,22 = 66.75, P < 0.001) and RTD over 50 (F2,22 = 22.02, P < 0.001) and 100 ms (F2,22 = 30.81, P < 0.001) increased in a stepwise manner (i.e., VSRT vs. VART vs. VRT). A good level of reliability was evident for assessment of reaction times (TE range 7–9%; ICC2,1 range 0.68 – 0.77), but measures of the VART−VSRT difference and RST Gain (TE, ≥23%; ICC2,1, ≤0.54), along with absolute and relative RTD (TE ≥19%; ICC2,1 ≤0.82) showed poorer levels of reliability. In conclusion, the StartReact method can be used to measure RST function in the TA, albeit the magnitude of this effect is small and aspects of between day reliability are poor
Gambling: a story of remarkable stability in fast-changing high streets
Get PDFHigh streets, the main commercial streets in towns and cities, have undergone significant transformations due to the evolving urban retail landscape. Despite these changes, this study demonstrates that the presence of gambling venues in Great Britain remained remarkably stable between 2014 and 2023. Using points of interest data, we constructed a panel data set of gambling shops on high streets. Employing simple autoregressive models estimated with random forests, we predicted annual gambling frequencies during 2015 to 2023 using 2014 frequencies as the sole predictor. Our results show a predictive accuracy of 91.8 percent by 2019, which remained robust at 86.2 percent in 2023, even after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This highlights the notable stability in the frequency of gambling shops on high streets. Additionally, we developed a two-tiered analytical framework that confirmed this stability across different types of local authorities and high streets. Given the geographically bounded negative externalities of gambling, these findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolving spatial footprint of gambling shops. They also offer broader insights into how retail environment characteristics influence the resilience of leisure businesses in diverse urban contexts, contributing to ongoing discussions on high street revitalization
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