324139 research outputs found
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The evolutionary and ecological consequences of cooperation
The last 30 years have seen major advances in our understanding of the evolution of cooperation—traits that have evolved because of the benefit they provide other individuals. In contrast, we have been much less successful in determining the consequences of cooperation for long-term ecological and evolutionary change. Studies of birds, insects, and bacteria suggest that cooperation has major consequences for fundamental features of life, such as ecological niche range, genetic variation within species, and rates of species diversification. However, the role of cooperation in driving these changes is largely limited to hypotheses, as we lack both data and a general theoretical framework. We synthesize the progress that has been made and highlight the major gaps in our understanding for future study
Automated extraction of artificial intelligence model and dataset characteristics from papers to promote transparency
We demonstrate that large language models can accurately extract structured model and dataset characteristics from AI research papers using the ROADMAP ontology. Using 10 benchmark papers and subsequently scaling to 311 publications, GPT-5 produced the highest-fidelity structured outputs at low cost. This enables large-scale aggregation of models, datasets, metrics, and content codes, supporting reproducibility, discoverability, and transparency. Structured outputs are publicly accessible through the ATLAS online repository
The semantic differential questionnaire format warrants consideration for use in healthcare settings
Background: Semantic differential scales, in which respondents rate their relative agreement between two opposing statements, are rarely used in assessment of health related quality of life (QOL). Here we present a use-case study describing our experiences constructing such a scale, part of a larger project to generate a questionnaire, the VALVQ, to measure QOL in heart valve disease (HVD). Methods and results: Individuals with HVD were identified from echocardiographic databases. Initial questionnaire content was generated from semi-structured interviews with 34 individuals with HVD as well as three family members and five clinical experts. Four methods were used to generate semantic differential items. Firstly, two participants could give opposing points, allowing an item to be generated directly. Secondly, a participant could report a single experience at one extreme, with the research team generating the opposing statement. Thirdly, a participant could report an experience in the middle of two extremes, with two opposing statement generated by the research team. Finally, subtly different items were generated where an obvious corresponding item was not clear, allowing for future psychometric testing to examine item robustness. 64 semantic differential items were generated for pilot testing. 46 valid completed questionnaires were returned. Multiple items required changes due to phrasing of the item content, but no difficulties were reported with the semantic differential format. Conclusion: The semantic differential scale can be considered for health related QOL research. Further head-to-head comparisons with the more common Likert format will allow assessment of differences in respondent biases between these questionnaire formats
The nonperturbative Hilbert space of quantum gravity with one boundary
We discuss a basis for the nonperturbative Hilbert space of quantum gravity with one asymptotic boundary. We use this basis to show that the Hilbert space for gravity with two disconnected boundaries factorizes into a product of two copies of the single boundary Hilbert space
Parental gender inequality and their children’s educational attainment, quality of life and mental health: An analysis from the Pelotas 1993 birth cohort in Brazil
Gender, as a sociostructural factor, may shape child development through social norms that influence family dynamics. We examined whether more egalitarian parental relationships are associated with better developmental outcomes. Using data from the Pelotas 1993 birth cohort (Brazil), we adapted a population-level gender inequality metric to characterise parental relationships. The Couple’s Gender Inequality Index (CGII) was derived from maternal health, parental education and income. Associations between CGII and educational attainment, quality of life, and depression at age 18 were assessed using linear regression models adjusted for family income, gestational age, birth weight, parental cohabitation and race. The sample comprised 2,852 participants (1,446 women). Higher CGII scores, indicating greater equality within couples, were associated with significantly higher educational attainment in both females and males. Higher quality of life at age 18 was observed in the second and fourth CGII quartiles compared with the most unequal. Greater equality was associated with lower risk of depression at age 18, although this association was not robust to adjustment. Among girls, a similar pattern was observed for emotional symptoms at age 15. Overall, greater couple-level gender inequality was associated with poorer developmental outcomes in offspring
Applicability of mitotic figure counting by deep learning: a development and pan‐cancer validation study
Mitotic figure counting is an established measure of cell proliferation that is included in grading systems. We developed a deep learning method for mitotic figure counting and evaluated its prognostic impact in multiple external validation datasets. The deep learning method was trained in whole slide images of tissue sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin from a publicly available breast cancer dataset where mitotic figures have been annotated by expert pathologists. The final model was externally validated according to a protocol with predefined analyses of 14 571 patient samples from 13 patient cohorts from seven different cancer types. The predefined primary analysis was univariable Cox survival analysis of the number of mitotic figures detected per mm2. Automatic mitotic figure counting correlated well with known proliferation rates, and patients with more mitotic figures per mm2 had significantly worse patient outcome in all the studied cancer types except colorectal cancer. This study demonstrates the practical potential of automated, deep learning‐based mitotic figure counting, both by automating pathology work and by suggesting expanded use in more cancer types, such as prostate cancer
Paving the Way for Future Space Missions in the Context of High Tidal Dissipation in the Saturnian System
The recent discovery of strong tidal dissipation in Saturn’s interior has radically changed our view of the Saturnian system. While some questions are naturally answered by the new paradigm, others are emerging and require further measurement. This article presents the next key questions to be addressed by future space missions and analysis. Suggestions for space measurements to discriminate between different scenarios concerning the formation, evolution and internal state of the Saturnian system are given
Genome-wide association study of major anxiety disorders in 122,341 European-ancestry cases identifies 58 loci and highlights GABAergic signaling
The major anxiety disorders (ANX; including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and phobias) are highly prevalent, often onset early and cause substantial global disability. Although distinct in their clinical presentations, they probably represent differential expressions of a dysregulated threat–response system. Here, we present a genome-wide association meta-analysis comprising 122,341 European ancestry ANX cases and 729,881 controls. We identified 58 independent genome-wide significant risk variants and 66 genes with robust biological support. In an independent sample of 1,175,012 self-report ANX cases and 1,956,379 controls, 51 out of the 58 associations replicated. As predicted by twin studies, we found substantial genetic correlation between ANX and depression, neuroticism and other internalizing phenotypes. Follow-up analyses demonstrated enrichment in all major brain regions and highlighted GABAergic signaling as one potential mechanism implicated in ANX genetic risk. These results advance our understanding of the genetic architecture of ANX and prioritize genes for functional follow-up studies
Serious gaming and eye-tracking for the screening, monitoring, and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders in children: a systematic literature review
Neurological development between the ages of 3–11 is crucial to the shaping of infrastructural capabilities like the executive functions that enable the child to achieve academically and socially. Such development can be hindered by neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, and Dysgraphia, which affect 5%–10% of the world population of children. Although the importance of early screening is acknowledged, inadequacies such as access barriers, long waiting time, and excessive cost lead to late detection, even when potential issues are identified. This PRISMA-based systematic review examines the role of technology and serious games that may screen and monitor NDDs in children early. The PubMed and Scopus databases were utilized, and research published between 2013, and February of 2025 was reviewed, where the age interval of the sampled children was between 3 and 11, and extended to 21 in relevant cases. Some of the tools reviewed are eye-tracking systems, machine learning models, mobile applications, and serious games. The quality of studies was assessed by the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and the results synthesized narratively. Out of 3,129 records, 37 studies were included according to the inclusion criteria. Findings indicated that although numerous technologies showed promise in recognizing and assisting children with NDDs, the majority had limited capabilities in scalability, longitudinal tracking, and practical application as the following was minimal, and the length of follow-up was low. In summary, the possibilities of using technology to better diagnose and intervene early are promising, although cost, training and implementation frameworks aligned with the NHS are critical barriers