Royal Society Open Science最新文献

In our multicultural and interconnected world, the ability to learn new languages is important. However, there are significant differences in how successfully adults can learn aspects of non-native languages. Given robust relationships between musical ability and native-language processing, musical ability might also contribute to successful second-language acquisition. However, while several studies have assessed this relationship in various ways, the consistency and robustness of the relationship between musical ability and second-language learning remains unclear. Thus, we synthesized 184 effects across 57 independent studies (n =3181) with a robust variance estimation multivariate meta-analysis, and we narratively summarized partial correlation effects across 12 studies. The available evidence suggests that musical ability is indeed positively related to second-language learning, even after factoring in publication bias revealed by the meta-analysis. Although future work with more diverse participant populations and methodologies is needed to further disentangle this relationship, it is apparent that individuals with better musical ability are generally more successful at second-language learning.

DNA mixtures containing semen and vaginal fluid are common biological samples in forensic analysis. However, the analysis of semen-vaginal fluid mixtures remains challenging. In this study, to solve these problems, it is proposed to combine semen-specific CpG sites and closely related microhaplotype sites to form a new composite genetic marker (semen-specific methylation-microhaplotype). Six methylation-microhaplotype loci were selected. To further improve discrimination power, five methylation-SNP loci were also included. The methylation levels and genotypes of these selected loci were obtained using massively parallel sequencing technology. Except for loci MMH04ZHA019 and MMH17ZHA059, the remaining nine loci were successfully sequenced. For the successfully sequenced loci, they performed well in identifying individuals and body fluids. An allele categorization model was developed using K-nearest neighbour algorithm, which was then used to predict allele types in semen-vaginal fluid mixtures. These loci were able to confirm the presence of semen and link semen to a true donor in semen-vaginal fluid mixtures with mixing ratios of 10:1, 9:1, 5:1, 4:1, 1:1, 1:3, 1:4, 1:8 and 1:9 (semen:vaginal fluid). This preliminary study suggests that this new composite genetic marker has great potential as a supplementary tool to commonly used genetic markers (STR, etc.) for analysing semen-vaginal fluid mixtures.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent clinical arrhythmia, posing significant mortality and morbidity challenges. Outcomes of current catheter ablation treatment strategies are suboptimal, highlighting the need for innovative approaches. A major obstacle lies in the inability to comprehensively assess both structural and functional remodelling in AF. Combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)'s detailed structural insights with global chamber charge density mapping (CDM)'s functional mapping capabilities holds promise for advancing AF management. Our research introduces a novel tool for three-dimensional reconstruction of left atrial geometries from MRI, facilitating integration into CDM systems. We comprehensively assess our tool by generating three-dimensional left atrial meshes from MRIs of eight patients with AF and compare them with the established CDM intra-chamber ultrasound approach utilizing both geometric and clinical parameters. We apply the CDM inverse algorithm to both sets of reconstructions in order to compare derived conductions across various heart rhythms and AF conduction patterns. Finally, we explore the potential utility of our integrated pipeline through an exploration of the relationship between AF conduction patterns and their proximity to adjacent thoracic structures. Ultimately, this multifaceted approach aims to unveil insights into AF mechanisms, potentially improving treatment outcomes through personalized ablation strategies targeting arrhythmogenic atrial substrate.

Lymphatic system failures contribute to cardiovascular and various other diseases. A critical function of the lymphatic vascular system is the active pumping of fluid from the interstitium back into the blood circulation by periodic contractions of lymphatic muscle cells (LMCs) in the vessel walls. As in cardiac pacemaking, these periodic contractions can be interpreted as occurring due to linked pacemaker oscillations in the LMC membrane potential (M-clock) and calcium concentration (C-clock). We previously reported a minimal model of synchronized dual-clock-driven oscillations. While this qualitatively replicated the period of oscillations under different conditions, it did not replicate the action potential shape as it varied under those conditions, particularly as regards the extent or lack of a systolic plateau. Here, we modify the model to replicate the plateau behaviour. Using phase-plane analysis we show two qualitatively different dynamical mechanisms that could account for plateau formation, one largely M-clock-driven, the other largely C-clock-driven. The second case occurs with the introduction of a ryanodine receptor; in both cases, we find improved predictions for calcium levels. With enhanced fidelity to the experimental data, the improved model has the potential to help determine opportunities for pharmacological treatment of lymphatic system pumping defects.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a recently developed class of fluorescent nanoparticles made from carbon. Co-doping with heteroatoms such as nitrogen and sulfur improved the properties and generated a high quantum yield. In the proposed study, we utilized a simple, cost-effective, single-stage hydrothermal approach to produce extreme photoluminescence co-doped, nitrogen and sulfur, CQDs (N,S-CODs). Thiosemicarbazide was used as a nitrogen and sulfur source, while citric acid was used as a carbon source to produce fluorescent probes. The prepared N,S-CQDs were subjected to extensive characterization. The generated N,S-CQDs yielded strong fluorescence emission at λ _em 430.0 nm after excitation at λ _ex 360.0 nm, with a relatively high quantum yield of 41.3% utilizing quinine sulfate as a reference fluorescent compound. These N,S-CQDs were applied as fluorescent nanosensors for the ultrasensitive spectrofluorimetric determination of baloxavir marboxil (BXM) directly without pre-derivatization for the first time. BXM effectively quenches the native fluorescence of N,S-CQDs. Considering the optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensity reduction of N,S-CQDs exhibited a 'turn-off' response to BXM at concentrations of 10.0-100.0 ng ml^-1, with detection limits of 1.88 ng ml^-1 and quantitation limits of 5.69 ng ml^-1, respectively. The proposed method determined BXM successfully in its tablet dosage form and further expanded to confirm the content uniformity of the tablet units in agreement with USP guidelines.

Oxidation reactions are vital tools in synthetic organic chemistry. Oxidation of organic species such as alcohols, phenols, aldehydes and ketones provides synthetically valuable organic compounds, especially synthetic intermediates for several biologically active compounds. Some of these synthetic intermediates have shown their synthetic utility in the total synthesis of natural products. Several classical and modern synthetic approaches have been used to achieve these oxidation reactions. In this review article, various oxidation reactions achieved by metal catalysis are highlighted.

The asymmetric Schiff base prepared in situ from ethylenediamine and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde reacts with Fe(ClO₄)₃·6H₂O to form the Fe(II) complex [FeL₂](ClO₄)₂ with L = N,N-diethyl-N'-(pyridin-2-yl)methylene)ethane-1,2-diamine, where the Fe(III) starting material has been unexpectedly reduced to Fe(II). This complex was characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction measurements, variable temperature DC magnetic measurement and room temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy. The asymmetric ligand L coordinates in a tridentate fashion through its pyridyl, azomethine and amino nitrogen atoms, generating a distorted octahedral geometry around the central metal ion. Variable temperature magnetic studies and a Mössbauer measurement show that the iron is locked in the low spin Fe(II) states.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work with information across disciplines and practical contexts. A growing range of disciplines are now involved in studying, developing and assessing the use of AI in practice, but these disciplines often employ conflicting understandings of what AI is and what is involved in its use. New, interdisciplinary approaches are needed to bridge competing conceptualizations of AI in practice and help shape the future of AI use. I propose a novel conceptual framework called AI Thinking, which models key decisions and considerations involved in AI use across disciplinary perspectives. AI Thinking addresses five practice-based competencies involved in applying AI in context: motivating AI use, formulating AI methods, assessing available tools and technologies, selecting appropriate data and situating AI in the sociotechnical contexts it is used in. A hypothetical case study is provided to illustrate the application of AI Thinking in practice. This article situates AI Thinking in broader cross-disciplinary discourses of AI, including its connections to ongoing discussions around AI literacy and AI-driven innovation. AI Thinking can help to bridge between the work of diverse disciplines, contexts and actors in the AI space, and shape AI efforts in education, industrial development and policy.

Six 1,8-diazabicyclo(5.4.0)undec-7-ene-based ionic liquids (ILs) linked with ethyl or propyl hydroxyl cations, coupled with thiocyanate, dicyanamide and bistriflimide anions, were synthesized through a two-step reaction: quaternization and ion exchange. The characterization of the ILs was carried out using ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The NMR results confirmed the structures of all the ILs, and these were supported by the FTIR results. In addition, the physicochemical properties, namely thermal stability, density and refractive index, were determined. The effects of the chain length in the cation and the identity of the anion on CO₂ absorption were studied in a pressure drop equipment at different pressures. It was found that CO₂ sorption increased with increasing pressure and the number of nitrile groups present. The highest CO₂ sorption is reported to be 0.96 mol CO₂ mol^-1 IL at 20 bar.

Decades of research have shown that adversity tends to be associated with lower working memory (WM) performance. This literature has mainly focused on impairments in the capacity to hold information available in WM for further processing. However, some recent adaptation-based studies suggest that certain types of adversity can leave intact, or even enhance, the ability to rapidly update information in WM. One key challenge is that WM capacity and updating tasks tend to covary, as both types of tasks require the creation and maintenance of bindings in WM; links between mental representations of information in WM. To estimate the associations between adversity and different processes in WM, we need to isolate variance in performance related to WM capacity from variance in performance related to updating ability. In this Registered Report, participants from the Dutch Longitudinal Internet studies for the Social Sciences (LISS) panel completed three WM tasks: two complex span tasks and a task measuring both binding and updating of information. In addition, we estimated participants' exposure to neighbourhood threat, material deprivation and unpredictability. We estimated associations between the three types of adversity and latent estimates of WM capacity and updating using structural equation modelling. We did not find consistent associations between adversity and WM capacity or updating, nor did we find evidence that the associations were practically equivalent to zero. Our results show that adversity researchers should account for overlap in WM tasks when estimating specific WM abilities.