Contrasting Effects Research Articles

AI‐induced dehumanization

AbstractRecent technological advancements have empowered nonhuman entities, such as virtual assistants and humanoid robots, to simulate human intelligence and behavior. This paper investigates how autonomous agents influence individuals' perceptions and behaviors toward others, particularly human employees. Our research reveals that the socio‐emotional capabilities of autonomous agents lead individuals to attribute a humanlike mind to these nonhuman entities. Perceiving a high level of humanlike mind in the nonhuman, autonomous agents affects perceptions of actual people through an assimilation process. Consequently, we observe “assimilation‐induced dehumanization”: the humanness judgment of actual people is assimilated toward the lower humanness judgment of autonomous agents, leading to various forms of mistreatment. We demonstrate that assimilation‐induced dehumanization is mitigated when autonomous agents possess capabilities incompatible with humans, leading to a contrast effect (Study 2), and when autonomous agents are perceived as having a high level of cognitive capability only, resulting in a lower level of mind perception of these agents (Study 3). Our findings hold across various types of autonomous agents (embodied: Studies 1–2 and disembodied: Studies 3–5), as well as in real and hypothetical consumer choices.

FTO diversely influences sensitivity of neuroblastoma cells to various chemotherapeutic drugs.

Chemotherapy resistance is a significant factor in treatment failure in patients with neuroblastoma (NB), and it directly affects patient prognosis. Therefore, identifying novel therapeutic targets to enhance chemosensitivity is essential to improve the cure rate and prognosis of patients with NB. In this study, we investigated the role of FTO in chemosensitivity of NB cells to various chemotherapeutic drugs. Our results showed that high FTO expression was positively correlated with increased survival probability and favorable prognostic factors in patients with NB. FTO overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, whereas FTO knockdown promoted cell proliferation in NB cells. FTO expression alteration had contrasting effects on NB cells' sensitivity to etoposide but had no significant impact on sensitivity to cisplatin. Downregulation of FTO reduced the sensitivity of NB cells to paclitaxel, whereas upregulation of FTO enhanced its sensitivity. Additionally, the sensitivities between patients with lower and higher FTO expression to various chemotherapeutic drugs or small-molecule inhibitors were different. Thus, FTO affects the sensitivities of NB cells differently depending on the different chemotherapeutic drugs and small-molecule inhibitors. This finding may guide physicians and patients choose the appropriate chemotherapeutic drugs or small-molecule inhibitors for treatment.

Effect of bedding planes and property contrast between layers on the propagation mechanism of hydraulic fracture height in shale reservoirs

Bedding planes and property contrast between layers plays an important role in preventing hydraulic fracture height extension in shale reservoirs. However, the intrinsic causes of fracture containment have not been elucidated, and few studies have considered the effects of mixed factors on fracture height extension. Based on the continuum-discontinuum element method, a 3D hydraulic-mechanical coupling model was established to explore the influence mechanism of bedding planes, stress and modulus difference between layers, and mixing factors on fracture height extension in a transversely isotropic shale reservoir. Shear failure usually occurs preferentially when the fracture approaches the bedding plane, and the essential reason for fracture containment is that the shear slip on the bedding plane blunts the fracture tip. The stronger stress barrier formed by the higher minimum principal stress in adjacent formation effectively enables the fracture to terminate at the interlayer interface. The lower modulus in adjacent formation is more prone to rock initiation, but the larger elastic deformation absorbs the fracture tip stress and impedes height propagation. The comprehensive effect of bedding planes and property contrast between layers on fracture propagation is more complex than that of a single factor. When different factors have positive effects on fracture containment, the fracture is easier to terminate at the bedding plane. Otherwise, the dominant factor determines whether the fracture can be captured. No matter what the conditions, the pressure relief in the bedding plane can slow down the propagation rate. The findings can offer theoretical support for predicting fracture height during field fracturing in shale reservoirs.

Contrasting effects of aerosols on surface temperature over the Indo-Gangetic Plain and Tibetan Plateau

Contrasting effects of aerosols on surface temperature over the Indo-Gangetic Plain and Tibetan Plateau

Carboxymethylation of viscose and cotton fibers: comparisons of water retention and moisture sorption

The aim of the work was to compare the water retention and moisture sorption of viscose (CV) and cotton (Co) fibers carboxymethylated from aqueous media, in presence of NaOH, with sodium monochloroacetate. It was shown previously that under the same treatment conditions, the degree of carboxymethylation was higher in CV and so was the depth within fiber structures to which the carboxymethylation reactions occurred. It was also shown previously, that in terms of their capacity for sorption of a cationic dye (methylene blue), the Co performed better than CV. In this work, the same fibers were tested for their water retention and moisture sorption propensities. The two were sensitive both to the degree of carboxymethylation and the inherent properties of fibers (accessibility, degree of swelling, hornification). But the moisture sorption levels were less sensitive to the degree of carboxymethylation and more to inherent fiber properties whereas the reverse was observed for water retention. In contrast to the prior observations with dye sorption, CV performed better than Co in both moisture sorption and water retention. The poor performance of CV in dye sorption was attributed to the greater depth of carboxymethylation within the fibers that hindered dye permeation, but the same feature was observed to result in better performance (water retention) or not to hinder performance (moisture sorption). These observations highlight the contrasting effects that may arise, of a given set of treatment parameters (fiber type, alkali level in treatment), on efficacy of the product performance.

Evidence of longitudinal differences in spring migration strategies of an Arctic-nesting goose.

During spring, migratory birds are required to optimally balance energetic costs of migration across heterogeneous landscapes and weather conditions to survive and reproduce successfully. Therefore, an individual's migratory performance may influence reproductive outcomes. Given large-scale changes in land use, climate, and potential carry-over effects, understanding how individuals migrate in relation to breeding outcomes is critical to predicting how future scenarios may affect populations. We used GPS tracking devices on 56 Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) during four spring migrations to examine whether migration characteristics influenced breeding propensity and breeding outcome. We found a strong longitudinal difference in arrival to the breeding areas (18 days earlier), pre-nesting duration (90.9% longer), and incubation initiation dates (9 days earlier) between western- and eastern-Arctic breeding regions, with contrasting effects on breeding outcomes, but no migration characteristic strongly influenced breeding outcome. We found that breeding region influenced whether an individual likely pursued a capital or income breeding strategy. Where individuals fell along the capital-income breeding continuum was influenced by longitude, revealing geographic effects of life-history strategy among conspecifics. Factors that govern breeding outcomes likely occur primarily upon arrival to breeding areas or are related to individual quality and previous breeding outcome, and may not be directly tied to migratory decision-making across broad scales.

Opioid-environment interaction: Contrasting effects of morphine administered in a novel versus familiar environment on acute and repeated morphine induced behavioral effects and on acute morphine ERK activation in reward associated brain areas

We report that environmental context can have a major impact on morphine locomotor behavior and ERK effects. We manipulated environmental context in terms of an environmental novelty/ familiarity dimension and measured morphine behavioral effects in both acute and chronic morphine treatment protocols. Wistar rats (n=7 per group) were injected with morphine 10 mg/kg or vehicle (s.c.), and immediately placed into an arena for 5 min, and locomotor activity was measured after one or 5 days. The morphine treatments were initiated either when the environment was novel or began after the rats had been familiarized with the arena by being given 5 daily nondrug tests in the arena. The results showed that acute and chronic morphine effects were strongly modified by whether the environment was novel or familiar. Acute morphine administered in a novel environment increased ERK activity more substantially in several brain areas, particularly in reward-associated areas such as the VTA in comparison to when morphine was given in a familiar environment. Repeated morphine treatments initiated in a novel environment induced a strong locomotor sensitization, whereas repeated morphine treatments initiated in a familiar environment did not induce a locomotor stimulant effect but rather a drug discriminative stimulus dis-habituation effect. The marked differential effects of environmental novelty/familiarity and ongoing dopamine activity on acute and chronic morphine treatments may be of potential clinical relevance for opioid drug addiction.

Contrasting effects of iron oxides on soil organic carbon accumulation in paddy and upland fields under long-term fertilization

Active iron oxides, especially poorly crystalline forms, benefit soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation via directly bounding and indirectly promoting aggregation. However, it remains unclear on the impacts of active iron oxides on SOC accumulation in paddy and upland soils under long-term fertilization regimes. Here, we attempted to clarify the underlying mechanisms of amorphous (FeO) and organically complexed (FeP) iron oxides mediating SOC accumulation in paddy and upland soils based on two long-term fertilization experiments (both including no fertilization [CK]; chemical nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium [NPK] and NPK plus manure [NPKM] treatments). Results showed that compared to upland soil, Fe-bound organic carbon (Fe-bound OC) content in paddy soil, occupying 21–30% of SOC, was 77% higher on average, due to larger amounts of FeO (+31%) and FeP (+224%). The FeO and FeP were positively related to mean weight diameter (MWD) of soil aggregates across paddy and upland soils. Compared to NPK treatment, NPKM treatment strongly increased FeO (+41%), FeP (+60%) and associated Fe-bound OC (+19%) in paddy soil, and increased FeO (+17%) and FeP (+25%) while decreasing Fe-bound OC (−9%) in upland soil. These combined findings indicated the importance of poorly crystalline iron oxides facilitating Fe-bound OC formation and its contribution to SOC accumulation in paddy soil rather than upland soil. Moreover, long-term manure amendment could enhance SOC accumulation by increasing Fe-bound OC and aggregation stability in paddy soil and enhancing physical protection in upland soil, largely attributed to increased poorly crystalline iron oxides. Overall, these results highlight the potential mechanisms through which active iron oxides regulate SOC accumulation and guide fertilization management in paddy and upland soils.

The Relative Importance of the Contrast and Assimilation Effects in Decisions Under Risk

ABSTRACTPast research on decisions under risk has documented two contradictory context effects: the contrast effect, where risk preferences in “target” tasks diverge from those in previous “surrounding” tasks, and the assimilation effect that implies the opposite bias. We present four web experiments (three preregistered) that clarify the conditions determining the relative prominence of these opposing effects. Our experiments focus on choice patterns in “target” tasks where participants choose between the status quo and a risky mixed gamble with an expected value of zero. Study 1 examines the impact of surroundings that differ from the target task with respect to the expected benefit from risk‐taking. The findings reveal a strong contrast effect: Decreasing the attractiveness of risk‐taking in the surrounding tasks increased the risk‐taking rate in the target tasks from 53.2% to 79.7%. Study 2 investigates the impact of surroundings that differ in the payoff domain. The findings indicate a strong assimilation effect: Decreasing the attractiveness of risk‐taking in the surrounding tasks decreased the risk‐taking rate in the target tasks from 74.7% to 36.5%. Additionally, the results revealed unpredicted and robust reversed loss aversion patterns which Studies 3 and 4 further clarify. Our findings (1) suggest that the isolated within‐task computations assumed by leading descriptive models overlook substantial contextual considerations, (2) clarify the factors determining the impact of the contrast and assimilation effects in decisions under risk, and (3) provide a theoretical framework for making useful predictions in various scenarios.

In Spiderman we trust: The influence of familiar media characters on the decision-making of primary school children

Children are increasingly active consumers in the media world and are thus confronted with a wide range of information. Making good decisions in such an environment is a major challenge. Weighting valid information in decision-making is an important skill that children must learn and apply. Yet, how do children weight information and which weights do they use? We developed a measuring instrument for children's weighting of advices by cue validity – the so-called Space Treasure Hunt. It is an easy to understand, child-friendly decision game. By anchoring it in the reality of children's media lives, we are able to assess the influence of familiarity and affect on children's decision making. During a treasure hunt in game situated in outer space, children are confronted with various characters who provide contradictory advice regarding where to find treasures. One of the advice-givers was an expert (valid cue), whereas the other advice-giver varied in terms of its media familiarity and affect. In our study (N = 372), we found that media familiar characters had a strong influence on children's decision-making. Media idols showed an assimilation effect, meaning that children followed the expert's advice the least often when it contradicted their media idol. Conversely, media familiar but less liked characters showed a contrast effect, meaning that children followed the expert's advice most often when it contradicted the media familiar, less liked character. Moreover, we found differences between children in terms of a three-way split: One third of the children, respectively, systematically followed the expert's advice, the media idol, or made their decisions unsystematically. We discuss how our results indicate the use of different weights in children's decision making.

Constant and fluctuating high temperatures interact with Saharan dust leading to contrasting effects on aquatic microbes over time

Mediterranean lakes are facing heightened exposure to multiple stressors, such as intensified Saharan dust deposition, temperature increases and fluctuations linked to heatwaves. However, the combined impact of dust and water temperature on the microbial community in freshwater ecosystems remains underexplored. To assess the interactive effect of dust deposition and temperature on aquatic microbes (heterotrophic bacteria and phytoplankton), a combination of field mesocosm experiments covering a dust gradient (five levels, 0–320 mg L−1), and paired laboratory microcosms with increased temperature at two levels (constant and fluctuating high temperature) were conducted in a high mountain lake in the Spanish Sierra Nevada, at three points in time throughout the ice-free period. Heterotrophic bacterial production (HBP) increased with dust load regardless of the temperature regime. However, temperature regime affected the magnitude and nature of the interactive Dust×T effect on HBP. Specifically, constant and fluctuating high temperature showed opposing interactive effects in the short term that became additive over time. The relationships between HBP and predictor variables (soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), excreted organic carbon (EOC), and heterotrophic bacterial abundance (HBA)), coupled with an evaluation of the mechanistic variable photosynthetic carbon use efficiency by bacteria (%CUEb), revealed that bacteria depended on primary production in nearly all treatments when dust was added. The %CUEb increased with dust load in the control temperature treatment, but it was highest at intermediate dust loads under both constant and fluctuating high temperatures. Overall, our results suggest that while dust addition alone strengthens algae-bacteria coupling, high temperatures lead to decoupling in the long term at intermediate dust loads, potentially impacting ecosystem function.

A report on five cases of cholesterol granulomas in the thymus

BackgroundCholesterol granuloma (CG) is a benign entity characterized by the presence of cholesterol crystals and foreign body giant cells. This condition can be attributed to cholesterol crystals that are deposited in the tissues and react with foreign body giant cells, resulting in granuloma formation. Lesions commonly develop in the otolaryngeal region, such as the middle ear. However, crystals rarely form in the thymus, accounting for 1% of all mediastinal tumors. Herein, we present five cases of mediastinal CG.Case presentationThe patients were aged 49–61 (mean, 55.4) years. Among them, three were men and two women. One patient had fever, and four patients were asymptomatic. The patients’ lesions were detected during follow-up of other diseases or medical examinations showing the presence of abnormal chest shadows. The patients did not have a history of trauma or surgery. All lesions were located within the thymus gland. Three patients presented with multifocal lesions and two with a single lesion. Four patients had contrast effect on computed tomography scan. Four patients had abnormal fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation (mean maximum standardized uptake value, 4.67) on positron emission tomography-computed tomography. Four patients underwent complete surgical resection. The size of the resected lesions ranged from 1.8 to 5.1 (mean, 3.24) cm. Histologically, all patients presented with small nodules with cholesterol clefts and foreign body giant cells and histiocyte infiltration within the thymic tissue. The postoperative course was excellent. None of the patients who underwent complete resection presented with recurrence. Moreover, the patient who underwent partial resection did not have lesion enlargement.ConclusionsCG in the thymus is clinically challenging to differentiate from malignant lesions, and histologic diagnosis via surgical resection is required.

Beta-adrenergic agonism protects mitochondrial metabolism in the pancreatectomised rat heart

The diabetic heart is characterised by functional, morphological and metabolic alterations predisposing it to contractile failure. Chronic sympathetic activation is a feature of the pathogenesis of heart failure, however the type 1 diabetic heart shows desensitisation to β-adrenergic stimulation. Here, we sought to understand the impact of repeated isoprenaline-mediated β-stimulation upon cardiac mitochondrial respiratory capacity and substrate metabolism in the 90% pancreatectomy (Px) rat model of type 1 diabetes. We hypothesised these hearts would be relatively protected against the metabolic impact of stress-induced cardiomyopathy. We found that individually both Px and isoprenaline suppressed cardiac mitochondrial respiration, but that this was preserved in Px rats receiving isoprenaline. Px and isoprenaline had contrasting effects on cardiac substrate metabolism, with increased reliance upon cardiac fatty acid oxidation capacity and altered ketone metabolism in the hearts of Px rats, but enhanced capacity for glucose uptake and metabolism in isoprenaline-treated rats. Moreover, Px rats were protected against isoprenaline-induced mortality, whilst isoprenaline elevated cGMP and protected myocardial energetic status in Px rat hearts. Our work suggests that adrenergic stimulation may be protective in the type 1 diabetic heart, and underlines the importance of studying pathological features in combination when modeling complex disease in rodents.

Contrasting effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (C20:5 n-3) on ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux from cholesterol-loaded or cholesterol normal-human THP-1 macrophages

Contrasting effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (C20:5 n-3) on ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux from cholesterol-loaded or cholesterol normal-human THP-1 macrophages

Rendering misery or selling hope? The mechanism of imagery contrast effect in charitable appeal

Rendering misery or selling hope? The mechanism of imagery contrast effect in charitable appeal

Contrasting effects of intracellular and extracellular human PCSK9 on inflammation, lipid alteration and cell death

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is one of the major regulators of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Information on role and regulation of PCSK9 in lung is very limited. Our study focuses on understanding the role and regulation of PCSK9 in the lung. PCSK9 levels are higher in Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of smokers with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) compared to BALF of nonsmokers. PCSK9-stimulated cells induce proinflammatory cytokines and activation of MAPKp38. PCSK9 transcripts are highly expressed in healthy individuals compared to COPD, pulmonary fibrosis or pulmonary systemic sclerosis. Cigarette smoke extract reduce PCSK9 levels in undifferentiated pulmonary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) but induce in differentiated PBEC. PCSK9 inhibition affect biological pathways, induces lipid peroxidation, and higher level of apoptosis in response to staurosporine. Our results suggest that higher levels of PCSK9 in BALF acts as an inflammatory marker. Furthermore, extracellular and intracellular PCSK9 play different roles.

Contrasting luxury effect on urban plant phylogenetic and taxonomic diversity in West African cities

ABSTRACT Urbanization is a driving factor for biodiversity loss and potential climate change by reducing carbon stocks. Understanding how urban development, as mitigated by socio-economic factors alters urban biodiversity is crucial for effective urban planning that maintains or improves environmental resilience. The luxury effect hypothesis predicts that wealthier parts of a city will have higher levels of biodiversity. This effect has been tested widely but we still have limited understanding of how wealth influences urban biodiversity in tropical regions of developing countries where plant species play profound sociocultural roles beyond aesthetics. This study investigates links between household income and the diversity of cultivated plants distribution within neighborhoods of two growing cities in Benin. We conducted a survey of 936 randomly selected households to record their socioeconomic characteristics and survey the cultivated plant species found in household gardens’. This enabled us to estimate household-level diversity metrics including taxonomic diversity and phylogenetic diversity. We found no global support for the luxury effect on phylogenetic diversity but rented properties had lower plant taxonomic diversity along with less phylogenetic diversity than privately owned houses. Taxonomic diversity is higher in the less urbanized areas while phylogenetic diversity is weakened. Household’s cultural connection to plants has a negative effect on both diversity indices. Our results highlight the complex relationships between socioeconomic traits and urban plant diversity distribution in two tropical African cities, which only partly confirmed the luxury effect hypothesis. Disentangling these complex relationships can help city planners and policymakers to take informed decisions to promote sustainable cities.

Reproductive Success of Tree Swallows at Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment Ponds

Abandoned mine drainage treatment ponds could have contrasting effects on the reproductive success of birds living in the vicinity. The ponds and associated vegetation may, like any other body of freshwater, provide beneficial habitats for the insects that the birds use to feed their young; or instead, the ponds may act as an ecological trap, attracting the birds to a habitat that is poor in quality and negatively impacting their productivity. We monitored nests of an aerial insectivore, the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), to determine whether the distance between the ponds and the nests affected various reproductive parameters including clutch size, hatch rate, number of nestlings, nestling size and mass, number of fledglings, fledging rate, and fledge date. Data were collected over two breeding seasons (2022 and 2023) from a swallow population in southwestern Pennsylvania, USA. We found that the nests closest to the treatment ponds had significantly more nestlings and fledglings, earlier fledge dates, and a better fledging rate when compared to nests that were more distant from the ponds. However, all these parameters were well below previously published values, which suggests that the mine drainage ponds provide good nesting habitats relative to what is available in the region but that they do not represent high-quality habitats for this species overall.

Contrasting the pharmacokinetic performance and gut microbiota effects of an amorphous solid dispersion and lipid nanoemulsion for a poorly water-soluble anti-psychotic

Increasing attention is being afforded to understanding the bidirectional relationship that exists between oral drugs and the gut microbiota. Often overlooked, however, is the impact that pharmaceutical excipients exert on the gut microbiota. Subsequently, in this study, we contrasted the pharmacokinetic performance and gut microbiota interactions between two commonly employed formulations for poorly soluble compounds, namely 1) an amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) stabilised by poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) K-30, and 2) a lipid nanoemulsion (LNE) comprised of medium chain glycerides and lecithin. The poorly soluble antipsychotic, lurasidone, was formulated with ASD and LNE due to its rate-limiting dissolution, poor oral bioavailability, and significant food effect. Both the ASD and LNE were shown to facilitate lurasidone supersaturation within in vitro dissolution studies simulating the gastrointestinal environment. This translated into profound improvements in oral pharmacokinetics in rats, with the ASD and LNE exerting comparable ∼ 2.5-fold improvements in lurasidone bioavailability, compared to the pure drug. The oral formulations imparted contrasting effects on the gut microbiota, with the LNE depleting the richness and abundance of the microbial ecosystem, as evidenced through reductions in alpha diversity (Chao1 index) and operational taxonomical units (OTUs). In contrast, the ASD exerted a ‘gut neutral’ effect, whereby a mild enrichment of alpha diversity and OTUs was observed. Importantly, this suggests that ASDs are effective solubility-enhancing formulations that can be used without comprising the integrity of the gut microbiota – an integral consideration in the treatment of mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, due to the role of the gut microbiota in regulating mood and cognition.

Comparative mathematical modeling reveals the differential effects of high-fat diet and ketogenic diet on the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in heart

BackgroundObesity is a global health concern associated with increased risk of diseases like cardiovascular conditions including ischemic heart disease, a leading cause of mortality. The ketogenic diet (KD) has potential therapeutic applications in managing obesity and related disorders. However, the intricate effects of KD on diverse physiological conditions remain incompletely understood. The PI3K-Akt signaling pathway is critical for heart health, and its dysregulation implicates numerous cardiac diseases.MethodsWe developed comprehensive mathematical models of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway under high-fat diet (HFD) and KD conditions to elucidate their differential impacts and quantify apoptosis. Simulations and sensitivity analysis were performed.ResultsSimulations demonstrate that KD can reduce the activation of key molecules like Erk and Trp53 to mitigate apoptosis compared to HFD. Findings align with experimental data, highlighting the potential cardiac benefits of KD. Sensitivity analysis identifies regulators like Trp53 and Bcl2l1 that critically influence apoptosis under HFD.ConclusionsMathematical modeling provides quantitative insights into the contrasting effects of HFD and KD on cardiac PI3K-Akt signaling and apoptosis. Findings have implications for precision nutrition and developing novel therapeutic strategies to address obesity-related cardiovascular diseases.Graphical abstract