This study quantitatively analyzes fish community responses to environmental gradients in Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta. Integrating beta-diversity partitioning, Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis (TITAN), single-season occupancy modeling, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), and species co-occurrence network analysis, we identified primary environmental filters shaping ichthyofaunal structure. Spatial comparison between Bogale and Pyapon ecosystems revealed fundamentally distinct communities driven predominantly by species turnover (87.1%). Network topologies further demonstrated a significant spatial restructuring of biological interactions, with the primary network hub role shifting from the highly sensitive Tenualosa ilisha in the upper estuary to the highly adaptable Macrognathus zebrinus in the lower delta. Furthermore, SEM established a substantial structural connection between environmental stress and biological assemblage response (β = 0.99), suggesting water quality as the ecosystem’s master driver. TITAN and occupancy models demonstrated an “estuarine enrichment” effect, where primary network hubs (Tenualosa ilisha, Coilia neglecta) reached peak occupancies only beyond high salinity thresholds (>18.16 ppt). However, escalating water temperatures act as a critical limiting factor, with a strict thermal boundary identified at 27.6 °C, beyond which sensitive taxa populations rapidly decline. These findings provide direct implications for adaptive fisheries management, underscoring the necessity of monitoring osmotic and thermal change-points to protect vital fisheries from compounded climate change impacts.
Fibrosis is a pathological process characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, progressive tissue stiffening, and ultimately organ dysfunction. It represents a common endpoint of chronic injury in multiple organs, including the liver, lung, kidney, and heart, and contributes substantially to global morbidity and mortality. Increasing evidence indicates that genetic susceptibility and dynamic epigenetic regulation play important roles in determining individual responses to chronic injury and in shaping fibrogenic signaling pathways. Despite its clinical significance, effective therapies remain limited, partly due to an incomplete understanding of the complex cellular interactions and molecular mechanisms that drive fibrotic disease. Traditional experimental models, including two-dimensional cell cultures and animal systems, often fail to fully recapitulate human tissue architecture and disease complexity. Organoid technology has emerged as a promising platform for modeling human diseases in vitro. Organoids are three-dimensional multicellular structures derived from stem cells or primary tissues that self-organize to mimic key structural and functional aspects of native organs while preserving important genetic and epigenetic characteristics of the originating tissue. Recent advances have enabled the development of organoid-based models that capture critical features of fibrosis, including epithelial injury, fibroblast activation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. These systems provide powerful experimental platforms for investigating molecular mechanisms of fibrosis, studying the influence of genetic and epigenetic regulatory networks, and identifying candidate biomarkers associated with disease progression. This review summarizes current progress in the use of organoid systems to study fibrosis across different organs. The advantages and limitations of these models are discussed, and emerging technologies that may enhance their physiological relevance and utility for biomarker discovery and anti-fibrotic drug development are highlighted.
This study explores communication, autonomy, and self-determination in individuals with Angelman syndrome (AS), a rare genetic condition characterised by severe intellectual disability and the absence of speech. AS is associated with severe developmental delay, motor disorders, epilepsy, hyperactivity, and a characteristically cheerful disposition. Communication is significantly impaired: expressive language is virtually absent, while receptive language is retained, giving rise to the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The qualitative methodology draws on ethnographic fieldwork conducted with families, comprising six home observation sessions and sixteen semi-structured interviews with parents, childminders, or educators. The analysis examines the role of AAC and a form of ‘everyday communication’ through the lens of autonomy and self-determination. Although AAC has been recognised by the United Nations since 2006, it remains underused in everyday contexts owing to constraints of time and complexity. Multimodal communication relies on interpersonal interaction (gestures, eye contact, routines), thereby promoting functional autonomy (mobility, eating) and identity formation. Autonomy begins with survival (basic needs), under constant supervision necessitated by associated risks, and gradually evolves towards the expression of preferences (leisure activities, choices) through a co-constructed relationship. Self-determination incorporates relational and social dimensions through the progressive development of a positive identity despite dependence. In conclusion, AAC complements ‘everyday communication’ in supporting self-expression beyond the family sphere. Self-determination is grounded in meaningful exchanges that sustain identity notwithstanding intellectual disability. The recommendations aim to extend AAC to social contexts and to contextualise autonomy within an inclusive support framework.
This review methodically expounds on the genesis, distribution characteristics, and control methodologies of residual stress (RS) in additive/subtractive hybrid manufacturing (A/SHM). RS, originating from non-uniform temperature fields during manufacturing, rapid solidification of the molten pool, and complex thermal cycling, are key factors causing component deformation, performance degradation, and even cracking. It is evident that significant limitations are imposed on the industrial implementation of A/SHM technology in the domain of high-end equipment manufacturing. This review methodically unveils the influence patterns of process conditions, such as scanning strategies and laser parameters, on RS distribution. It elucidates the intrinsic relationship between microstructural evolution and RS and summarizes effective approaches to regulating RS through process optimization, post-heat treatment, and material modification. This paper proactively proposes a development direction for precise RS regulation through intelligent monitoring and control. This approach provides a theoretical foundation and technical support to enhance the reliability of A/SHM components and advance their industrial applications.
Sterkfontein specimen Sts 25 is filled with calcified sediment and still partly encased in matrix. The only published endocranial volume estimate for this specimen (350–375 cm3) falls outside the range of variation for Australopithecus africanus adults. The purpose of this study was to estimate Sts 25’s endocranial volume and to explore the usefulness of parietal regressions for estimating brain size in other fragmentary hominin specimens. We used single-variable and multivariate polynomial regressions and combined chimpanzee/early hominin comparative samples to predict endocranial volumes for Sts 25 and 10 fragmentary hominin specimens from six chord and arc variables. Point estimates for Sts 25 ranged between 412–501 cm3, with random-effects means and 95% prediction intervals of 453 cm3 (393–512 cm3) from single-variable regressions and 446 cm3 (377–514 cm3) from multivariate regressions. New endocranial volume estimates ~450 cm3 for Sts 25 are consistent with values for other A. africanus specimens with similar dimensions of the vault and basicranium. Volume estimates for Sts 58 (468–559 cm3) and MLD 1 (509–595 cm3) are larger than previous estimates for these specimens and help refine the A. africanus range. Endocranial volume estimates for other crania are largely consistent with existing predictions, establishing the value of these polynomial regression equations for estimating brain size in early hominins.
