[Treatment of T1 colorectal cancer]. / Behandeling van T1-darmkanker.

In case of suspicion of a T1 colorectal tumor, the tumor should not be biopsied but removed completely (so-called en-bloc resection). With more recent endoscopic techniques, T1 colorectal tumors can be more often radical resected. If at least one of the following four characteristics is present, there is a high-risk T1 colorectal tumor and it is recommended to consider surgical resection with adequate lymphadenectomy; poor differentiation, presence of (lymphatic) angioinvasion, high-grade tumor budding (grade 2-3) and a positive resection margin (where the malignant cells approach the cut edge to 0.1mm). The risk of recurrent disease after endoscopic resection of a high-risk T1 colorectal tumor without additional surgery is not well known. Scheduled surgery for bowel cancer at an early stage is associated with the same risk of a serious complication and/or death as scheduled surgery at a more advanced stage.

Water-assisted purification during electron beam-induced deposition of platinum and gold.

Direct fabrication of pure metallic nanostructures is one of the main aims of focused electron beam-induced deposition (FEBID). It was recently achieved for gold deposits by the co-injection of a water precursor and the gold precursor Au(tfac)Me2. In this work results are reported, using the same approach, on a different gold precursor, Au(acac)Me2, as well as the frequently used platinum precursor MeCpPtMe3. As a water precursor MgSO4·7H2O was used. The purification during deposition led to a decrease of the carbon-to-gold ratio (in atom %) from 2.8 to 0.5 and a decrease of the carbon-to-platinum ratio (in atom %) from 6-7 to 0.2. The purification was done in a regular scanning electron microscope using commercially available components and chemicals, which paves the way for a broader application of direct etching-assisted FEBID to obtain pure metallic structures.

Phenotype and gene signature of testicular tumors in 129.MOLF-Chr19 mice resemble human teratomas.

BACKGROUND: Testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) is the most common type of tumor in young men. Type II germ cell tumors including postpubertal-type teratomas are derived from the germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS), whereas prepubertal-type teratomas arise independently of the GCNIS. The consomic mouse strain 129.MOLF-Chr19 (M19) is a suitable murine model of such tumors, but its characterization remains incomplete. OBJECTIVE: Here, we interrogated the suitability of testicular tumors in M19 mice as a model of human TGCT by analyzing their histological features and gene expression signature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Testes collected from M19 mice of different ages were categorized by macroscopic appearance based on size and the degree of suspected tumorigenesis. Histological sections from selected tumors were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, and expression of genes associated with tumorigenesis was determined in frozen tissue samples from a large range of tumors of different subclasses using RT-qPCR and Fluidigm Dynamic Arrays. RESULTS: Macroscopically, testicular specimens appeared very heterogeneous concerning size and signs indicating the presence of a tumor. Histological analysis confirmed the development of teratomas with areas of cells corresponding to all three germ cell layers. Gene expression analyses indicated upregulation of markers related to proliferation, vascular invasive potential and pluripotency, and revealed a strong correlation of gene expression with tumor size and a significant intercorrelation of individual genes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: TGCT in M19 mice is reminiscent of human testicular teratomas presenting with areas of cells derived from all germ layers and showing a typical gene signature. We thus confirm that these mice can serve as a suitable murine model of pure teratomas for preclinical research.

An evolutionary disruption of the buzz pollination syndrome in neotropical montane plants.

PREMISE: Under pollinator limitations, specialized pollination syndromes may evolve toward contrasting responses: a generalized syndrome with increased pollinator attraction, pollinator reward, and pollen transfer capacity; or the selfing syndrome with increased self-pollen deposition, but reduced pollinator attraction and pollen transfer capacity. The buzz-pollination syndrome is specialized to explore female vibrating bees as pollinators. However, vibrating bees become less-active pollinators at montane areas of the Atlantic Forest (AF) domain. This study investigated whether the specialized buzz-pollination syndrome would evolve toward an alternative floral syndrome in montane areas of the AF domain, considering a generalized and the selfing syndromes as alternative responses. METHODS: We utilized a lineage within the buzz-pollinated Miconia as study system, contrasting floral traits between montane AF-endemic and non-endemic species. We measured and validated floral traits that were proxies for pollinator attraction, reward access, pollen transfer capacity, and self-pollen deposition. We inferred the evolution of floral trait via phylogenetic comparative methods. RESULTS: AF-endemic species have selectively evolved greater reward access and more frequently had generalist pollination. Nonetheless, AF-endemic species also have selectively evolved toward lower pollen transfer capacity and greater self pollination. These patterns indicated a complex evolutionary process that has jointly favored a generalized and the selfing syndromes. CONCLUSIONS: The buzz pollination syndrome can undergo an evolutionary disruption in montane areas of the AF domain. This floral syndrome is likely more labile than often assumed, allowing buzz-pollinated plants to reproduce in environments where vibrating bees are less-reliable pollinators.

Incremento del riesgo hemorrágico en pacientes con fibrilación auricular y enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis tratados con anticoagulantes. Serie de cuatro centros / Increased risk of bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis treated with anticoagulants. A four center series

Resumen Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar si el uso de anticoagulantes se asociaba con una diferencia en la frecuencia de trombosis de cualquier sitio, hemorragia mayor y mortalidad en adultos con coexistencia de ambas patologías. Método: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo en cuatro centros de alta complejidad. Se incluyeron mayores de 18 años con ERC en hemodiálisis y FA no valvular, con indicación de anticoagulación (CHA2DS2VASc ≥ 2). El desenlace primario fue la ocurrencia de sangrado mayor, evento trombótico (accidente vascular cerebral, infarto agudo al miocardio o enfermedad tromboembólica venosa) o muerte. Se realizó ajuste por variables de confusión por regresión logística. Resultados: De los 158 pacientes incluidos, el 61% (n = 97) recibieron anticoagulante. El desenlace principal se encontró en el 84% de quienes recibieron anticoagulación y en el 70% de quienes no la recibieron (OR: 2.12, IC95%: 0.98-4.57; luego del ajuste OR: 2.13, IC95%: 1.04-4.36). De los desenlaces mayores se presentaron sangrado en el 52% vs. el 34% (OR: 2.03; IC95%: 1.05-3.93), trombosis en el 35% vs. el 34% (OR: 1.03; IC95%: 0.52-2.01) y muerte en el 46% vs. el 41% (OR: 1.25; IC95%: 0.65-2.38). Conclusiones: Los resultados de este estudio sugieren un incremento en el riesgo de sangrado en los pacientes con FA y ERC en hemodiálisis que reciben anticoagulación, sin disminución del riesgo de eventos trombóticos ni de muerte.

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate whether the consumption of anticoagulants was associated with a difference in the frequency of thrombosis of any site, major bleeding and mortality, in adults with both diseases. Method: A retrospective cohort study was carried out in four high complexity centers. Patients older than 18 years with CKD on hemodialysis and non-valvular AF, with an indication for anticoagulation (CHA2DS2VASc ≥ 2), were included. The primary outcome was the occurrence of: major bleeding, thrombotic event (cerebrovascular accident, acute myocardial infarction or venous thromboembolic disease) or death. Adjustment for confounding variables was performed using logistic regression. Results: From 158 patients included, 61% (n = 97) received an anticoagulant. The main outcome was found in 84% of those who received anticoagulation and 70% of those who did not (OR: 2.12, 95%CI: 0.98-4.57; after the adjusted analysis OR: 2.13, 95%CI: 1.04-4.36). Separate outcomes were bleeding in 52% vs. 34% (OR: 2.03; 95%CI: 1.05-3.93), thrombosis in 35% vs. 34% (OR: 1.03; 95%CI: 0.52-2-01) and death in 46% vs. 41% (OR: 1.25; 95%CI: 0.65-2.38). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest an increased risk of bleeding in patients with AF and CKD on hemodialysis receiving anticoagulation, without a decrease in the risk of thrombotic events or all-cause mortality.

Toward a mechanistic understanding of the role of error monitoring and memory in social anxiety.

Cognitive models state that social anxiety (SA) involves biased cognitive processing that impacts what is learned and remembered within social situations, leading to the maintenance of SA. Neuroscience work links SA to enhanced error monitoring, reflected in error-related neural responses arising from mediofrontal cortex (MFC). Yet, the role of error monitoring in SA remains unclear, as it is unknown whether error monitoring can drive changes in memory, biasing what is learned or remembered about social situations. Motivated by the longer-term goal of identifying mechanisms implicated in SA, in the current study we developed and validated a novel paradigm for probing the role of error-related MFC theta oscillations (associated with error monitoring) and incidental memory biases in SA. Electroencephalography (EEG) data were collected while participants completed a novel Face-Flanker task, involving presentation of task-unrelated, trial-unique faces behind target/flanker arrows on each trial. A subsequent incidental memory assessment evaluated memory biases for error events. Severity of SA symptoms were associated with greater error-related theta synchrony over MFC, as well as between MFC and sensory cortex. Social anxiety also was positively associated with incidental memory biases for error events. Moreover, greater error-related MFC-sensory theta synchrony during the Face-Flanker predicted subsequent incidental memory biases for error events. Collectively, the results demonstrate the potential of a novel paradigm to elucidate mechanisms underlying relations between error monitoring and SA.

Metabarcoding the Bacterial Assemblages Associated with Toxopneustes roseus in the Mexican Central Pacific.

The Mexican Central Pacific (MCP) region has discontinuous coral ecosystems with different protection and anthropogenic disturbance. Characterizing the bacterial assemblage associated with the sea urchin Toxopneustes roseus and its relationship with environmental variables will contribute to understanding the species' physiology and ecology. We collected sea urchins from coral ecosystems at six sites in the MCP during the summer and winter for two consecutive years. The spatial scale represented the most important variation in the T. roseus bacteriome, particularly because of Isla Isabel National Park (PNII). Likewise, spatial differences correlated with habitat structure variables, mainly the sponge and live coral cover. The PNII exhibited highly diverse bacterial assemblages compared to other sites, characterized by families associated with diseases and environmental stress (Saprospiraceae, Flammeovirgaceae, and Xanthobacteraceae). The remaining five sites presented a constant spatiotemporal pattern, where the predominance of the Campylobacteraceae and Helicobacteraceae families was key to T. roseus' holobiont. However, the dominance of certain bacterial families, such as Enterobacteriaceae, in the second analyzed year suggests that Punto B and Islas e islotes de Bahía Chamela Sanctuary were exposed to sewage contamination. Overall, our results improve the understanding of host-associated bacterial assemblages in specific time and space and their relationship with the environmental condition.

Operando Study Insights into Lithiation/Delithiation Processes in a Poly(ethylene oxide) Electrolyte of All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries by Grazing-Incidence X-ray Scattering.

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based composite electrolytes (PCEs) are considered as promising candidates for next-generation lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) due to their high safety, easy fabrication, and good electrochemical stability. Here, we utilize operando grazing-incidence small-angle and wide-angle X-ray scattering to probe the correlation of electrochemically induced changes and the buried morphology and crystalline structure of the PCE. Results show that the two irreversible reactions, PEO-Li+ reduction and TFSI- decomposition, cause changes in the crystalline structure, array orientation, and morphology of the PCE. In addition, the reversible Li plating/stripping process alters the inner morphology, especially the PEO-LiTFSI domain radius and distance between PEO-LiTFSI domains, rather than causing crystalline structure and orientation changes. This work provides a new path to monitor a working battery in real time and to a detailed understanding of the Li+ diffusion mechanism, which is essential for developing highly transferable and interface-stable PCE-based LMBs.

Next generation risk assessment for occupational chemical safety - A real world example with sodium-2-hydroxyethane sulfonate.

Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) is an exposure-led approach to safety assessment that uses New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). Application of NGRA has been largely restricted to assessments of consumer use of cosmetics and is not currently implemented in occupational safety assessments, e.g. under EU REACH. By contrast, a large proportion of regulatory worker safety assessments are underpinned by toxicological studies using experimental animals. Consequently, occupational safety assessment represents an area that would benefit from increasing application of NGRA to safety decision making. Here, a workflow for conducting NGRA under an occupational safety context was developed, which is illustrated with a case study chemical; sodium 2-hydroxyethane sulphonate (sodium isethionate or SI). Exposures were estimated using a standard occupational exposure model following a comprehensive life cycle assessment of SI and considering factory-specific data. Outputs of this model were then used to estimate internal exposures using a Physiologically Based Kinetic (PBK) model, which was constructed with SI specific Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion (ADME) data. PBK modelling indicated a worst-case plasma maximum concentration (Cmax) of 0.8 µM across the SI life cycle. SI bioactivity was assessed in a battery of NAMs relevant to systemic, reproductive, and developmental toxicity; a cell stress panel, high throughput transcriptomics in three cell lines (HepG2, HepaRG and MCF-7 cells), pharmacological profiling and specific assays relating to developmental toxicity (Reprotracker and devTOX quickPredict). Points of Departure (PoDs) for SI ranged from 104 to 5044 µM. Cmax values obtained from PBK modelling of occupational exposures to SI were compared with PoDs from the bioactivity assays to derive Bioactivity Exposure Ratios (BERs) which demonstrated the safety for workers exposed to SI under current levels of factory specific risk management. In summary, the tiered and iterative workflow developed here represents an opportunity for integrating non animal approaches for a large subset of substances for which systemic worker safety assessment is required. Such an approach could be followed to ensure that animal testing is only conducted as a "last resort" e.g. under EU REACH.

Effects of abomasal infusion of soybean or sunflower phospholipids on nutrient digestibility and milk production in lactating dairy cows.

The fatty acid (FA) and phospholipid composition of dietary lecithin may influence FA digestibility and milk production in cattle. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (99.4 ± 9.2 d in milk [DIM]; 48.9 ± 3.8 kg milk/d) were enrolled in a 3 × 3 incomplete Latin square design with 3 treatments provided as continuous abomasal infusates spanning 14-d experimental periods: water (CON), soybean phospholipids (SOY; 74.5 g of deoiled soy lecithin), or sunflower phospholipids (SUN; 133.5 g of hydrolyzed sunflower lecithin). Cows were fed the same diet, which contained (% dry matter) 27.0% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 15.6% crude protein (CP), 26.2% starch, and 5.87% FA. Treatments did not modify body weight, milk fat, protein, or lactose contents, or the efficiency of producing energy-corrected milk. Cows infused with SUN had greater milk yields than those receiving SOY or CON treatments. Cows infused with SUN had higher total solids, protein, and lactose yields than cows receiving the SOY or CON treatments. Sunflower phospholipids enhanced feed efficiency (milk yield/dry matter intake) relative to SOY or CON. Treatment did not affect intakes or apparent total-tract digestibilities for NDF, CP, starch, or 16-carbon (16C) FA. Cows receiving SUN had greater total FA and 18-carbon (18C) FA intakes than SOY or CON, but treatments did not impact their digestibility. Milk FA composition was modified by treatment. Cows receiving SUN had a greater concentration of polyunsaturated FA and lower concentrations of saturated FA and monounsaturated FA in milk relative to SOY or CON. In conclusion, the abomasal infusion of SUN improved milk production and milk FA composition, indicating potential benefits for dairy cow nutrition and milk quality.

Transfer Learning for Automatic Sleep Staging Using a Pre-Gelled Electrode Grid.

Novel sensor solutions for sleep monitoring at home could alleviate bottlenecks in sleep medical care as well as enable selective or continuous observation over long periods of time and contribute to new insights in sleep medicine and beyond. Since especially in the latter case the sensor data differ strongly in signal, number and extent of sensors from the classical polysomnography (PSG) sensor technology, an automatic evaluation is essential for the application. However, the training of an automatic algorithm is complicated by the fact that the development phase of the new sensor technology, extensive comparative measurements with standardized reference systems, is often not possible and therefore only small datasets are available. In order to circumvent high system-specific training data requirements, we employ pre-training on large datasets with finetuning on small datasets of new sensor technology to enable automatic sleep phase detection for small test series. By pre-training on publicly available PSG datasets and finetuning on 12 nights recorded with new sensor technology based on a pre-gelled electrode grid to capture electroencephalography (EEG), electrooculography (EOG) and electromyography (EMG), an F1 score across all sleep phases of 0.81 is achieved (wake 0.84, N1 0.62, N2 0.81, N3 0.87, REM 0.88), using only EEG and EOG. The analysis additionally considers the spatial distribution of the channels and an approach to approximate classical electrode positions based on specific linear combinations of the new sensor grid channels.

Activated HLA-DR+CD38+ Effector Th1/17 Cells Distinguish Crohn's Disease-associated Perianal Fistulas from Cryptoglandular Fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Perianal fistulas are a debilitating complication of Crohn's disease (CD). Due to unknown reasons, CD-associated fistulas are in general more difficult to treat than cryptoglandular fistulas (non-CD-associated). Understanding the immune cell landscape is a first step towards the development of more effective therapies for CD-associated fistulas. In this work, we characterized the composition and spatial localization of disease-associated immune cells in both types of perianal fistulas by high-dimensional analyses. METHODS: We applied single-cell mass cytometry (scMC), spectral flow cytometry (SFC), and imaging mass cytometry (IMC) to profile the immune compartment in CD-associated perianal fistulas and cryptoglandular fistulas. An exploratory cohort (CD fistula, n = 10; non-CD fistula, n = 5) was analyzed by scMC to unravel disease-associated immune cell types. SFC was performed on a second fistula cohort (CD, n = 10; non-CD, n = 11) to comprehensively phenotype disease-associated T helper (Th) cells. IMC was used on a third cohort (CD, n = 5) to investigate the spatial distribution/interaction of relevant immune cell subsets. RESULTS: Our analyses revealed that activated HLA-DR+CD38+ effector CD4+ T cells with a Th1/17 phenotype were significantly enriched in CD-associated compared with cryptoglandular fistulas. These cells, displaying features of proliferation, regulation, and differentiation, were also present in blood, and colocalized with other CD4+ T cells, CCR6+ B cells, and macrophages in the fistula tracts. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, proliferating activated HLA-DR+CD38+ effector Th1/17 cells distinguish CD-associated from cryptoglandular perianal fistulas and are a promising biomarker in blood to discriminate between these 2 fistula types. Targeting HLA-DR and CD38-expressing CD4+ T cells may offer a potential new therapeutic strategy for CD-related fistulas.

We applied high-dimensional analyses to profile the immune compartment in CD-associated and cryptoglandular perianal fistulas. Data analysis revealed activated HLA-DR+CD38+ effector Th1/17 cells as distinctly increased in CD-associated fistulas, suggesting a potential novel therapeutic target.

Ammonium Sulfate to Modulate Crystallization for High-Performance Rigid and Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are attracting widespread research and attention as highly promising candidates in the field of electronic photovoltaics owing to their exceptional power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, rigid or flexible PSCs still face challenges in preparing full-coverage and low-defect perovskite films, as well as achieving highly reproducible and highly stable devices. Herein, a multifunctional additive 2-aminoethyl hydrogen sulfate (AES) is designed to regulate the film crystallization and thereby form flat and pinhole-free perovskite films. It is found that the introduction of AES can effectively passivate defects, restrain charge carrier recombination, and then achieve a higher fill factor. As seen with grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS), this approach does not affect the crystal orientation distribution. It is observed that AES addition shows a universality across different perovskite components since the PCE is improved up to 20.7% for FA0.97MA0.03Pb(I0.97Br0.03)3-AES, 22.85% for Cs0.05FA0.95PbI3-AES, 22.23% for FAPbI2.7Br0.3-AES, and 23.32% for FAPI-AES rigid devices. Remarkably, the non-encapsulated flexible Cs0.05 (FA0.85MA0.15)0.95Pb(I0.85Br0.15)3 device with AES additive delivers a PCE of 20.1% and maintains over 97% of its initial efficiency under ambient conditions (25 ± 5% relative humidity) over 2280 h of aging.

Biventricular assist device implant using biatrial cannulation for restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Preoperative calculations showed that the 9-mm inlet, 6-mm outlet, 25-cc pump chambers and 65-73 bpm would be optimal for a 5-year-old patient suffering from restrictive cardiomyopathy, with a body surface area of 0.59 m2 (1.5 L/min flow for a cardiac index of 2.5). After re-sternotomy and standard bicaval cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass, the procedure was performed under normothermic conditions and on the beating heart. Biventricular support was established with the Berlin Heart Excor using biatrial cannulation. For left atrial cannulation, induced ventricular fibrillation was used. The 9-mm inlet cannulas were inserted into the left and right atria, respectively. The 6-mm outlet cannulas were implanted using 8-mm interposition vascular grafts for the aorta and the main pulmonary artery, respectively. Cannulas were tunnelled through the epigastric space, with systems crossing outside of the body. The 25-cc chambers were used for both right ventricular assist device and left ventricular assist device support, which subsequently showed full emptying and filling.

The Variation of the Fetal Esophageal Mucosa at the End of Gestation may be a Possible Etiopathogenic Factor for Barrett's Esophagus / La Variación de la Mucosa Esofágica Identificada al Final de la Gestación Puede ser un Posible Factor Etiopatogénico para el Esófago de Barrett

SUMMARY: Barrett's esophagus is a condition where the distal third of the esophagus changes its epithelial lining from non- keratinized stratified squamous to simple columnar. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to characterize the esophageal mucosa in the third trimester of pregnancy and determine possible variants in its development and was carried out in the Morphology Laboratory of the Health Faculty of the Industrial University of Santander, Colombia, with 45 human fetuses in the third trimester of gestation (weeks 25-40). A section of the distal esophagus and the first portion of the cardial region of the stomach were obtained, and the histological sections were subjected to a fixation process with 5 % formaldehyde solution. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and were evaluated for the presence of epithelial change or glands in the esophageal lamina propria. The change from non- keratinized stratified squamous epithelium to simple columnar epithelium was observed in the esophageal mucosa in five fetuses (11.1 %). In 15 cases (33.3 %), the presence of mucous glands underlying the epithelium was determined. In two fetuses, simple columnar epithelium was observed in the esophageal mucosa and underlying submucosal glands (4.4 %). The lack of replacement of the columnar epithelium by squamous epithelium in the distal third of the esophagus and the presence of mucous glands in the last third of gestation may suggest the presentation of Barret's esophagus in adulthood and thus, a predisposition to develop esophageal adenocarcinoma.

El esófago de Barrett es una afección en la que el tercio distal del esófago cambia su revestimiento epitelial de escamoso estratificado no queratinizado a columnar simple. Este estudio descriptivo de corte transversal tiene como objetivo caracterizar la mucosa esofágica en el tercer trimestre del embarazo y determinar posibles variantes en su desarrollo y se realizó en el laboratorio de Morfología de la Facultad de Salud de la Universidad Industrial de Santander-Colombia, con 45 fetos humanos en el tercer trimestre de gestación (semanas 25-40). Se obtuvo una sección del esófago distal y la primera porción de la región cardial del estómago y las secciones histológicas se sometieron a un proceso de fijación con solución de formaldehído al 5 %. Los cortes se tiñeron con hematoxilina y eosina y se evaluaron determinando la presencia de cambio epitelial y glándulas en la lámina propia del esófago. El cambio de epitelio escamoso estratificado no queratinizado a epitelio cilíndrico simple se observó en la mucosa esofágica en cinco fetos (11,1 %). En 15 casos (33,3 %) se determinó la presencia de glándulas mucosas subyacentes al epitelio. En dos fetos se observó epitelio cilíndrico simple en la mucosa esofágica y glándulas submucosas subyacentes (4,4 %). La falta de reemplazo del epitelio cilíndrico por epitelio escamoso en el tercio distal del esófago y la presencia de glándulas mucosas en el último tercio de la gestación pueden sugerir la presentación de esófago de Barrett en la edad adulta y una predisposición a desarrollar adenocarcinoma de esófago.

Multidimensional signal detection modeling reveals Gestalt-like perceptual integration of face emotion and identity.

Numerous studies have tested the hypothesis that facial identity and emotional expression are independently processed, but a solid conclusion has been difficult to reach, with the literature showing contradictory results. We argue that this is partly due to different researchers using different definitions of perceptual integration and independence, usually vague and/or simply operational, and also due to lack of proper stimulus control. Here, we performed a study using three-dimensional realistic computer-generated faces for which the discriminability of identities and expressions, the intensity of the expressions, and low-level features of the faces were controlled. A large number of participants, distributed across twelve experimental groups, performed identification tasks for the six basic emotional expressions and the neutral expression (between 2018 and 2019). A multidimensional signal detection model was utilized to analyze the data, which allowed us to dissociate between multiple formally defined notions of independence and holism. Results showed strong and robust violations of perceptual independence that were consistent across all experiments and suggest Gestalt-like perceptual integration of face identity and expression. To date, our results provide the strongest evidence for holistic/Gestalt processing found among face perception studies that have used formal definitions of independence and holism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Size-Dependence and High Temperature Stability of Radial Vortex Magnetic Textures Imprinted by Superconductor Stray Fields.

Swirling spin textures, including topologically nontrivial states, such as skyrmions, chiral domain walls, and magnetic vortices, have garnered significant attention within the scientific community due to their appeal from both fundamental and applied points of view. However, their creation, controlled manipulation, and stability are typically constrained to certain systems with specific crystallographic symmetries, bulk or interface interactions, and/or a precise stacking sequence of materials. Recently, a new approach has shown potential for the imprint of magnetic radial vortices in soft ferromagnetic compounds making use of the stray field of YBa2Cu3O7-δ superconducting microstructures in ferromagnet/superconductor (FM/SC) hybrids at temperatures below the superconducting transition temperature (TC). Here, we explore the lower size limit for the imprint of magnetic radial vortices in square and disc shaped structures as well as the persistence of these spin textures above TC, with magnetic domains retaining partial memory. Structures with circular geometry and with FM patterned to smaller radius than the superconductor island facilitate the imprinting of magnetic radial vortices and improve their stability above TC, in contrast to square structures where the presence of magnetic domains increases the dipolar energy. Micromagnetic modeling coupled with a SC field model reveals that the stabilization mechanism above TC is mediated by microstructural defects. Superconducting control of swirling spin textures, and their stabilization above the superconducting transition temperature by means of defect engineering holds promising prospects for shaping superconducting spintronics based on magnetic textures.