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Rethinking probabilistic sensorimotor sequence learning : Focus on probabilistic systems instead of simple patterns
No full textMany complex motor skills follow probabilistic rules that determine which movement transitions are efficient, stylistically appropriate, and contextually purposeful. However, research on sensorimotor sequence learning has largely focused on deterministic sequences or basic probabilistic regularities, overlooking the acquisition of broader rule-based sequence structures. In contrast, fields such as psycholinguistics emphasize learning entire probabilistic rule systems. This difference in focus limits comparability of results from sequence learning tasks across scientific disciplines and thus interpretations about domain-general and domain-specific mechanisms of probabilistic sequence learning. This article highlights how motor control research can expand its focus to the learning of global probabilistic rulesets by integrating sequence generation algorithms and post-acquisition generalization tests from psycholinguistics. First, we compare sequence construction and learning assessment strategies in both fields, demonstrating how algorithms from artificial grammar experiments and generalization assessments can be adapted to motor sequence learning. Second, we propose a practical framework for experimental designs in motor control that distinguishes between local statistical features and global probabilistic systems. We outline key methodological considerations for sequence construction, acquisition, and retrieval testing and want to foster more systematic and comprehensive investigations into probabilistic sensorimotor sequence learning
Introduction
No full textGiven the lack of clarity and the unstructured - or rather, entirely absent - approach to causation in human rights law, this edited volume aims to disentangle the various ways in which causation plays a role in establishing state responsibility under the ECHR. The volume brings together contributions that offer theoretical and analytical perspectives, in-depth examinations of ECHR case law, and comparative analyses of causation standards in national legal systems, such as tort law
How local is decentral politics? : Variations in the supply of municipal policies
No full textLocal democracy is theoretically based on political parties offering different policies across and within sub-national geographical units. However, local democracy is embedded within a multilevel party and institutional structure that may compromise this endeavour. This study develops three expectations of policy variation: within party variation in political positions across geographical units; differences in policy positions across parties within geographical units; and that parties adjust their supply of policy over time possibly based on structural, social, or party features. It is argued that the presence of these variations is important for local democracy considering multilevel party institutions and their existence is tested using 1,002 Danish municipal party election manifestos from the local elections in 2013 and 2017, covering all 98 Danish municipalities. The first two types of variation are clearly present, the third is only present between parties, and this suggests that local politics is at least somewhat local
Pea protein isolates adsorption on phospholipid bilayer interfaces : a quartz crystal microbalance and neutron reflectometry study
No full textLegumin and vicilin, the main storage proteins from peas, are increasingly employed as functional ingredients for food. The purpose of this work was to better understand the interactions between these proteins and selected lipids, due to their potential consequences on interfacial functionality of protein preparations. Legumin and vicilin isolates were obtained after isoelectric precipitation followed by further purification using size exclusion chromatography. The interactions were studied using DOPC (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine): DOPE (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3 phosphoethanolamine) as mixed supported lipid bilayers, using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and complementary neutron reflectometry (NR) experiments. This approach, fundamental in nature, allowed to observe interactions at the molecular level in the presence of phospholipids interfaces. QCM-D data suggested that legumin did not show any significant affinity for the investigated lipid interface. On the contrary there were changes in the bilayer with vicilin injection. NR experiments also supported these observations, and modeling of the experimental data also suggested a structural reorganization of the bilayer after vicilin injection and rinsing. This unique fundamental study of legumin and vicilin leads to the hypothesis that vicilin forms complexes with phospholipids bilayers which can be dispersed and removed by rinsing. All together, this study adds to the current debate on the importance of endogenous and non-endogenous phospholipids presence in affecting surface functionality of pea protein isolates
Agricultural management and associated landscapes influence wild plant communities, nest colonization, and the pollen diet of unmanaged populations of mason bees
No full textBees are pollinators of both wild and crop plants with significant ecological and economic value. However, recent studies report declines in their populations, particularly in agricultural landscapes. Compared to conventional farming, organic agricultural management is considered less harmful to biodiversity. Despite this, studies addressing wild bees in organic systems remain limited. In this study, we selected organic and conventional farms to examine the influence of farming management on meadow flora. We also accessed landscape-level management and its influence on newly colonized nest of mason bees and their pollen diet. Our results show that organic farming promotes higher plants diversity in meadows. Analyses of pollen inside mason bee nests revealed a more diverse diet in landscapes with a greater proportion of organic fields. Additionally, the number of newly colonized nests increased with the extent of organically managed areas. These findings indicate that organic farming can enhance meadow plant diversity, positively influence the pollen diet of wild bees, and support larger populations of solitary bees. Environmental management aimed at sustainability helps to safeguard the diversity of both plants and mason bees. Overall, sustainable environmental management that increases organic farming coverage in agricultural landscapes holds substantial potential for protecting solitary bee populations
Two-step digestion pathways of hydrogels from pea proteins
No full textHYPOTHESIS: Digestion pathways of plant proteins are of high relevance to optimize bioavailability and allergenicity profiles of sustainable and vegan food products. Understanding the structural breakdown of solid food presents a particular challenge, due to the complexity to realize a good model system suitable for comprehensive multi-technique characterization under realistic conditions.EXPERIMENTS: We used a microfluidic chip to study the structural evolution during in-vitro digestion of solid gels from pea proteins. The gel structure was probed in-situ combining confocal microscopy, small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering using the same experimental platform. SDS-PAGE analysis was performed on related solution and gel samples subjected to different digestion times.FINDINGS: Combining multiple techniques we reach a multi-scale picture of gel digestion, revealing the breakdown of a more homogeneous gel into more open connected domains with hierarchical internal structures. SDS-PAGE outlines effects of processing on resulting digestion pathways. As central result, we observe a clear two-step digestion process across techniques, switching at about 8-10 min from the initial response to long-term digestion. Overall, the presented methodology holds promise for detailed structural information in future studies aimed at developing new foods with optimized mechanical, nutritional value, and reduced allergenicity
Opioid-free versus opioid-based anaesthesia and analgesia for patients at low risk for acute postoperative pain undergoing laparoscopic surgery : A randomised controlled trial
No full textOBJECTIVE: To evaluate if opioid-free anaesthesia (OFA), is non-inferior to standard of care (SOC), in patients at low risk for acute postoperative pain (APOP).DESIGN: Patient- and assessor-blinded, non-inferiority, randomised, controlled trial.SETTING: Single centre between March 2022 to February 2024.PATIENTS: 154 adult patients, ASA I - II, planned for elective laparoscopic surgery and risk-classified as low risk for APOP based on perceived pain during venous cannulation (VAS < 2.0).INTERVENTION: Patients were randomised to receiving OFA, including sevoflurane, dexmedetomidine, esketamine and lidocaine, or standard of care (SOC), a traditional GABAA and opioid-based strategy. Patients were subjected to the intervention from time to arrival at the day of surgery until discharge from the PACU.MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome: worst pain intensity in the PACU.SECONDARY OUTCOMES: worst pain, and proportion having NRS ≥ 4, at 24 h (during rest and movement), worst pain and proportion having NRS ≥ 1, at 3- and 6-months (during rest and movement), postoperative recovery at 24 h, PONV in the PACU and at 24 h. Rescue dose opioids in the PACU was an exploratory outcome.RESULTS: Pain scores were 4.8 in the OFA group and 4.6 in SOC group (P = 0.67). At 24 h, worst pain at rest was 5.7 vs 5.0 (P = 0.11), and during movement 5.6 vs 5.3 (P = 0.43). Proportion of patients with NRS ≥ 4 in the PACU was 66 % vs 69 % (P = 0.65) and at 24 h 76 % vs 60 % at rest (P = 0.042) and 73 % vs 69 % during movement (P = 0.65). There was no significant difference in PPOP at 3 or 6 months, either at rest (P = 0.51, P = 0.56) or movement (P = 0.72, P = 0.48), PONV (PACU: P = 0.93), at 24 h: (P = 0.52) or postoperative recovery at 24 h (99 vs 102, P = 0.44). OFA group required less rescue opioids in the PACU (3.4 mg vs 5.1 mg, P = 0.039).CONCLUSION: When individualising anaesthesia based on predicted risk for APOP, OFA is non-inferior to a traditional GABAA and opioid-based anaesthesia strategy, for patients with a low risk for APOP undergoing laparoscopic surgery. No secondary advantages, i.e. lower PONV, less PPOP, better quality of recovery, was associated with OFA
Engineered Pd-Ga alloy nanoparticles through spark ablation and in-flight metal-organic precursor decomposition
No full textPd-Ga alloy nanoparticles with tunable compositions were produced by combining spark ablation with a downstream injection of a metal-organic precursor. This dual-process approach enables control over nanoparticle composition and morphology by adjusting precursor flow rate and sintering temperature. At lower precursor flows, uniform Pd-Ga nanoparticles form, exhibiting stable Pd5Ga2 and Pd2Ga phases. HRTEM and STEM-EDX analyses reveal that as precursor supply increases, Ga incorporation intensifies, leading to structural transitions, phase segregation, and the formation of PdGa dominated phases with amorphous Ga-rich domains, influencing nanoparticle shape and crystallinity. This process unlocks pathways for tailoring alloy compositions in-flight with low-melting point materials
Advanced droplet sizing of an aeronautic kerosene Jet A-1 spray injected at high-altitude relight conditions
No full textOne of the main requirements for the safety and certification of an aircraft is its ability to relight under high-altitude conditions, i.e., sub-atmospheric and extremely cold environment. In the combustor, the fuel is introduced in liquid form and atomized into droplets, generating a spray that facilitates evaporation and combustion. Therefore, understanding and mastering the atomization process in a gas turbine combustor is a significant challenge for engine manufacturers. Knowledge of the droplet size and its spatial distribution in the chamber is primordial. According to the literature, spray characteristics have never been reported under high-altitude relight conditions. Therefore, for the first time, this study presents an experimental investigation of droplet sizing of a low-temperature kerosene Jet A-1 spray (233 K) injected from a pressure-swirl atomizer into a chamber at sub-atmospheric pressure (0.3 bar). The 1p-SLIPI LIF/Mie ratio technique is successfully employed and provides a reliable tool for studying spray behavior under various operating conditions
The Supreme Administrative Court and the Legislature in Sweden
No full textThis contribution discusses relations between the Swedish SAC and the legislature (Riksdag), focusing on how Sweden balances popular sovereignty with judicial independence. The analysis focuses on the legislature's influence on the SAC and – on the other hand – the SAC and its judges’ impact on the legislature, especially the constitutional control of draft legislation carried out by the Council on Legislation, as well as the SAC performing judicial review of legislation. The contribution thoroughly presents the Cementa case, a recent legal dispute highlighting the interplay between judicial review and legislative supremacy. This case illustrates the judiciary's restrained role in challenging legislative decisions. The study concludes that while judicialisation has increased the SAC's prominence, Swedish constitutional law remains grounded in popular sovereignty. This dynamic creates a delicate balance between democratic decision-making and the rule of law, with courts exhibiting cautious deference to legislative authority