From intrinsic competition to coexistence: The pivotal role of spatial habitat segregation in a depauperate tropical carnivore guild

Water strider-inspired floating catalyst with CN/ laccase spatial segregation for efficient dye wastewater decontamination

From avoidance to ingestion: Microplastic-induced behavioral and physiological adaptations elevate microplastic ingestion and chronic toxicological risks in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma).

Alongside their direct perceptions of prey, Northern gannets (Morus bassanus) likely derive foraging cues from memory of previously successful foraging areas (private information), and from conspecifics (public information). Together these mechanisms are likely to underpin emergent Individual foraging site fidelity (IFSF) patterns, characterised by individual consistency in foraging area use. Where observation methods are inadequate in helping us determine IFSF properties, simulation experiments can help decipher the implicit foraging strategies present in an organism's movements. We began by developing a movement simulation model to simulate spatially explicit foraging trips of chick-rearing gannets at Bass Rock, capturing direct perception of prey only. Once confidence in the foundational model was achieved, we made modifications to the model to incorporate various implementations of public and private information use in foraging strategies. The model outputs from simulations experiments, encompassing a wide range of complexity, were compared to several empirically derived patterns at the individual and population level, to gain insight into which mechanisms may be driving IFSF patterns and the potential consequences on a population's space use. Patterns observed in standalone foraging trips were well represented by our movement simulations, permitting further developments to include public and private information use. Mechanisms using private information, namely memory based reuse of previously successful departure directions, were the primary drivers of IFSF. Incorporating social information refined these patterns, improving alignment with prey distributions and enhancing realism at the population-level, irrespective of the private information employed. However, mechanisms that best reproduced emergent individual and population level spatial patterns were associated with reduced foraging efficiency, inferred from longer trip durations and greater travel distances, indicating a trade-off between spatial segregation and short-term efficiency. Our results support the idea that IFSF can emerge from hierarchical foraging strategies in which long-term private information structures broad-scale space use, while social information modulates fine-scale movements. By linking behavioural mechanisms to emergent movement patterns in a spatially explicit environment, our study illustrates how individual-based models can move beyond description to generate mechanistic and predictive insights into animal movement, improving our ability to anticipate responses to environmental change.

Compartmentalized metabolic engineering in eukaryotic microbial cell factories: strategies and applications.

Liquid-liquid phase separation as a tool to compartmentalize stimuli-responsive cargoes within protocell models.

Elasmobranchs are among the most threatened marine taxonomic groups in the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, knowledge of batoid life-history strategies and spatial distribution is limited, despite being essential to stock assessments and effective management. This study focuses on batoid species collected across the North Aegean Sea, Greece, from 2014 to 2021. Conversion factors and length at maturity were estimated to assess biological traits of batoids. Random forests and generalized additive models were used to detect underlying spatial distribution patterns of species occurrence and abundance, respectively. Overall, 3,920 specimens were measured from at least 13 species, with Rajiformes being the most common order, whereas Torpedo marmorata was the sole Torpediniformes recorded in the area. Females were larger than males in all species, and sizes at which 50% of fish reached maturity were among the lowest in the Mediterranean Sea. Predictions suggested that Dipturus oxyrinchus, Raja clavata and Raja polystigma had the broadest distribution, whereas Raja radula and Torpedo marmorata were found mostly in coastal waters. Additionally, only D. oxyrinchus was spatially segregated by sex, whereas spatial and bathymetric segregation was associated with ontogeny for Leucoraja naevus, R. clavata and R. polystigma. Our findings contribute to our understanding of the biology and behavioural patterns of batoid species in the North Aegean Sea and are of relevance to the development of conservation plans in the area.

ConspectusIn biological systems, multivalent interactions orchestrate the hierarchical assembly of biomolecules into compartmentalized architectures, enabling spatial segregation and cooperative regulation of multiactive sites, thereby promoting complex reaction networks. Mimicking these assembly principles to develop biomimetic confined environments has emerged as a promising strategy for engineering highly efficient catalysts. Organic molecular cages (OMCs) possess discrete nanocavities and open windows, in which spatial confinement enables enzyme-mimetic encapsulation and stabilization of active sites; however, most research has focused on single-site catalysis. Ionic organic cages (IOCs), a charged subclass of the OMCs, incorporate charged skeletons balanced by counterions. This ionic architecture imparts pronounced biomimetic functionality, expanding their behaviors through electrostatic tunability and functional adaptability. These attributes include (1) broad solubility, particularly in aqueous media, facilitating complexation with biological sites and efficient catalysis under mild or physiological conditions; (2) tunable electrostatic microenvironments, where high-density and uniformly distributed charges of the skeleton modulate both the cavity environment and the electronic structure of encapsulated metal clusters; and (3) intrinsic multivalency, which drives hierarchical assembly and integration of multiple catalytic sites through a combination of electrostatic, covalent, and coordination interactions, recapitulating the biological compartment architecture. Ultimately, the synergy between structural mimicry and functional integration establishes IOCs as versatile biomimetic platforms.This Account highlights recent advances in IOCs as multifunctional biomimetic catalytic platforms. We first outline synthetic strategies, including direct self-assembly from charged building blocks enabled by covalent bonding, and postsynthetic modifications, including neutralization, nucleophilic substitution, and oxidation, to introduce tunable charges. These strategies allow fine control over charge density and distribution throughout the cage skeleton. We then introduce an "inside-out" framework to dissect the three defining elements of IOCs─discrete nanocavities, charged skeletons, and exchangeable functional counterions─and discuss their crucial role in endowing the IOCs with both structural and functional biomimetic characteristics. Following an "electrostatic mediation and stepwise assembly" design principle, we elucidate how multivalent interactions arising from charged skeletons and functional counterions direct hierarchical assembly, enabling the coexistence and interplay of diverse active sites (e.g., metal clusters, radicals, enzymes, and metal complexes). Special emphasis is placed on the cooperative mechanisms among multiple active sites, including compartmentalization, electron communication, and spatiotemporal regulation, which collectively underpin efficient tandem catalysis. By emulating the spatial segregation and dynamic regulation of biological systems, IOCs represent an emerging platform for designing complex catalysts that unite precision, versatility, and adaptability, offering a promising path toward artificial systems with life-like catalytic sophistication.

Auditory scene analysis is the process used to separate and integrate acoustic information into representations of auditory objects. Spatial cues play a critical role in this process, but questions remain regarding how these cues influence auditory stream segregation. The ABA stream segregation paradigm capitalizes on a bistable stimulus capable of eliciting perception of a single (integrated) auditory stream, or two separate (segregated) auditory streams with equal probability. Here, perceptual bistability was used to assess the effectiveness of interaural level (ILD), time (ITD), and correlation (IAC) values in promoting stream segregation when kept static versus dynamically modulated, across extended ABA sequences (100 + sec). Results showed that intermediately lateralized static binaural cues (7 dB, ILD; 225 µs, ITD) minimally affected stream segregation; in contrast, systematically modulated cues did, with perceptual hysteresis-like effects. These results show that perception of movement increases the influence of binaural cues as a stimulus feature for separating sound sources more than static cues. Comparison of binaural cue segregation boundaries and traditional discrimination thresholds showed that individuals with high sensitivity to a cue (i.e., low thresholds) were more likely to have narrower segregation boundaries, indicating common cognitive processes that support spatial stream segregation and sound localization.

Achieving laterally uniform graphene coatings via low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) remains challenging due to substrate-scale variations in near-wall transport that govern precursor renewal and local growth. Here, transient 3D CFD is coupled with spatially resolved characterization to examine how substrate inclination reorganizes near-wall transport in a hot-wall quartz-tube LPCVD reactor and its influence on graphene thickness uniformity. Across four substrate tilt angles (9°, 21°, 33°, and 45°), uniform coatings emerge not from maximizing flow intensity, but from establishing a laterally distributed near-surface transport field without significant downstream shielding. Shallow inclination (9°) produces weak surface-parallel transport and thicker boundary layers. In contrast, steep inclination (45°) induces strong but highly localized acceleration followed by wake-driven transport heterogeneity. Intermediate inclinations (21°-33°) yield more balanced near-surface velocity and wall shear stress distributions, promoting spatially uniform precursor renewal across the substrate surface. Raman mapping and SEM-based morphology analysis corroborate these transport trends, confirming reduced spatial segregation and improved thickness coherence within the 21°-33° inclination window. These findings establish a transport-based framework for interpreting substrate orientation effects in LPCVD graphene growth and provide reactor-level guidance for achieving uniform coatings in comparable hot-wall LPCVD systems.

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to examine pre-school principals’ perceptions of inclusive practices and the barriers to inclusion for culturally and linguistically diverse children and families in early childhood education and care (ECEC). Drawing on interviews with 21 pre-school principals in a Swedish metropolitan area with high cultural and linguistic diversity, this study employs Nancy Fraser’s three-dimensional social justice framework to analyse how exclusion operates through failures of redistribution, recognition, and representation. The findings indicate that while principals perceive inclusion as embedded in transformative practices within the pre-school context, they identify various exclusion mechanisms beyond ECEC’s institutional role to address. These barriers operate through precarious economic and housing conditions, digital infrastructure and linguistic constraints, coordination gaps and sustained spatial segregation. The study contributes to understanding exclusion in ECEC and highlights that achieving inclusion requires multi-level policy coordination and systemic transformation rather than pre-school-level interventions alone.

Erratum for the Report "The Antibacterial Lectin RegIIIγ Promotes the Spatial Segregation of Microbiota and Host in the Intestine".

Efficient donor-acceptor (D-A) electronic coupling is critical for optimizing charge transport in covalent organic frameworks (COFs). However, linkage-induced spatial segregation in conventional binary COFs disrupts carrier continuity, thereby severely limiting electrochemiluminescence (ECL), a process that demands rapid, synchronized, and directional charge dynamics. To overcome this constraint, we develop a rationally designed multicomponent assembly strategy based on orthogonal Betti and Scholl reactions, enabling stepwise enhancement of through-bond electronic connectivity. Specifically, the strategic incorporation of a phenolic third component bridges spatially isolated donor and acceptor units, establishing uninterrupted intramolecular charge-transport pathways and yielding a 24.4-fold increase in ECL intensity relative to the binary analogue. Furthermore, the synergistic action of Betti and Scholl reactions drives in situ cyclization to form rigid, planar tetrahydroquinoline linkages, thereby improving backbone coplanarity, extending π-conjugation across the D-A interface, and amplifying ECL emission by 3.7-fold compared with the ternary precursor. Crucially, selective disruption of these extended π-pathways via coordination with UO2 2+ ions induces quantifiable, dose-dependent ECL quenching, providing direct experimental evidence of a structure-function relationship between multicomponent-engineered electronic connectivity and signal transduction. This work establishes a mechanism for how multicomponent assembly controls topological electronic connectivity in COFs, providing a general design principle to tailor charge transport in functional materials.

Advanced thermal management systems in high-Reynolds-number regimes face a fundamental trade-off: enhancing convective heat transfer invariably incurs prohibitive pressure drops. To address this scaling crisis, we introduce a proof-of-concept, bio-inspired design paradigm translating the damage-tolerance principles of the starfish skeletal microlattice into a fluid impedance-matching layer. Fabricated via laser powder bed fusion, a dual-channel heat exchanger featuring a continuous converging-diverging porosity gradient was investigated. Rigorous numerical simulations and conducted physical experiments validate its fundamental performance decoupling. Compared to a uniform baseline at Reynolds number 2000, this bio-inspired structure achieves a 74.7% pressure drop reduction while increasing the Nusselt number by 12%. Crucially, an anti-gradient control group catastrophically failed mechanically and fluidically, proving that precise impedance alignment—not arbitrary aperiodicity—drives this decoupling. The superior performance is governed by an enhanced scaling law ( N u ∝ R e 0.52 ) driven by functional spatial segregation: accelerating core flow to maximize convection while diffusing outlet flow for pressure recovery. Concurrently, the design replicates its biological archetype’s progressive collapse, achieving a specific energy absorption of 22.86 J/g. By synergistically optimizing thermo-fluidic and mechanical properties, this work establishes a robust framework for designing high-flux multifunctional metamaterials.

Regulation of venom composition by the Australian funnel-web spider Hadronyche infensa is achieved via compartmentalised toxin production and venom metering.

Between-group spatial environmental inequalities arise from the uneven spatial distribution of social groups relative to environmental variables. Intuitively, if two groups shared identical spatial distributions, no spatial environmental inequalities would exist. This highlights the intrinsic link between spatial segregation and spatial environmental inequalities. Yet, despite this straightforward connection, few studies have scrutinized the theoretical and empirical relationships between these phenomena. To address this gap, we consider established measures and demonstrate mathematically that the level of spatial environmental inequality is bounded by the degree of spatial segregation. We then analyse boundary scenarios and identify two contrasting outcomes, depending on whether the environmental distribution aligns with or balances between the spatial patterns of the two groups. The added value of segregation-based environmental inequality indices compared to a standard inequality measure based on population-weighted mean differences is also pointed out. Empirical analyses of between-group spatial inequalities with respect to tree canopy cover in 97 French urban areas, covering 13 social groups, support these theoretical findings. Results show strong and significant correlations between segregation and spatial environmental inequality, accompanied by substantial heteroscedasticity and a clear boundary effect of segregation. The relationship varies by city size, being stronger and steeper in smaller agglomerations. Findings are robust across dissimilarity- and Gini-based formulations of spatial environmental inequality indices, as well as with a more standard inequality metric. • We establish a formal link between segregation and spatial environmental inequalities. • Segregation-based indices should be preferred to population-weighted mean differences. • Spatial environmental inequalities are bounded by the level of segregation. • Boundary scenarios reveal inequalities can be zero despite segregation. • Inequalities can exist despite uniform environmental distributions. • Empirical analysis in 97 French urban areas supports theoretical predictions.

ABSTRACT This article examines urban regeneration in Istanbul’s Bomonti district, focusing on the social and spatial transformations shaped by gentrification from the 1940s to the present. Using a mixed-methods approach, including on-site observations, resident surveys, and interviews with local representatives, this longitudinal study spans 13 years, with fieldwork conducted in 2012 and again in 2025, tracing changes in the urban landscape, economic structure, and redevelopment patterns over time. The study introduces an analytical framework to understand how globalization has reshaped urban space through economic shifts that stimulated housing investments and new residential typologies, including informal settlements, residences, and gated communities. Land regulation policies and earthquake-resistant construction requirements further influenced regeneration processes. Findings indicate that as upper-income groups initiated profit-driven projects in this former industrial zone, class distinctions evolved into spatial segregation, reshaping the district’s social fabric. By critically analyzing these dynamics, the investigation contributes to urban planning, urban sociology, and geography by highlighting the socio-spatial consequences of urban regeneration in rapidly transforming cities.

Mitochondrial cristae are intricately folded structures of the inner mitochondrial membrane that play essential roles in cellular energy production, metabolic regulation, and compartmentalization. Far from being passive folds, cristae are dynamic, functional entities central to mitochondrial bioenergetics. Their architecture maximizes membrane surface area and spatially organizes protein complexes to enhance oxidative phosphorylation and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. The compartmentalized structure of cristae also establishes functional barriers that help maintain localized proton gradients, optimize metabolic reactions, and contribute to mitochondrial stability. These dual roles in energy transformation and spatial segregation underscore the importance of the cristae in supporting cellular homeostasis. The structural design and lipid composition of cristae with enrichment in cardiolipin also reflect their bacterial ancestry, revealing an evolutionary continuity from prokaryotic bioenergetic systems to eukaryotic organelles. Moreover, dynamic remodeling of cristae in response to stress, nutrient availability, and developmental cues highlights their adaptability in regulating mitochondrial performance and signaling pathways. Disruption of cristae architecture is increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases due to impaired ATP synthesis and compromised mitochondrial integrity. This review examines emerging insights into the organization, composition, and regulatory mechanisms of the cristae, emphasizing their role as both bioenergetic engines and protective compartments. Understanding the complex interplay between cristae structure and mitochondrial function may illuminate novel strategies for restoring mitochondrial health and targeting diseases linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Cristae represent an evolutionary innovation that bridges structure and function, enabling the mitochondria to meet the multifaceted demands of the eukaryotic cell.

This study aims to examine how infectious disease prevention mechanisms are constructed and operationalized within carceral settings in transitional states, using China as a representative case. It focuses on the discursive and structural strategies employed by stakeholders to navigate institutional challenges in epidemic control and to delineate responsibilities across health and justice sectors, while also considering the ethical implications of these strategies and upholding the dignity and rights of individuals affected. Guided by the epidemiological triangle model, the study adopts a dual-method qualitative design. First, it conducts a normative analysis of Chinese legal and administrative frameworks related to prison-based disease prevention. Second, it integrates empirical fieldwork based on 21 semi-structured interviews with correctional staff, health administrators, and incarcerated individuals across three provinces, supported by thematic and content analysis. Findings reveal that China's carceral health governance has undergone a three-stage transformation-from institutional neglect to legal formalization, and ultimately to preventive risk management. Stakeholders engage in discursive boundary work by aligning prison health efforts with national public health objectives, while structural boundary work manifests in spatial segregation, surveillance routines, and inter-agency protocols. Digital surveillance and health monitoring systems, as part of these structural strategies, have contributed to improving public health outcomes in carceral settings by enabling real-time data sharing and timely intervention. However, these systems also raise ethical concerns: individuals with drug use histories or criminal records often worry that such monitoring, linked to stigmatized or criminalized practices, may be used for punitive purposes or excessive control rather than solely for health protection. Despite advances, gaps remain in enforcement consistency, resource allocation, and the legal clarity of emergency mandates. Additionally, carceral settings have long been plagued by systemic issues such as overcrowding, inadequate basic health services, and the erosion of human dignity, which create favorable conditions for the rapid spread of infectious diseases-these structural deficiencies are key drivers of high disease transmission rates in such environments. The study highlights boundary work as a central mechanism for institutional adaptation in prison health governance. China's evolving approach offers scalable insights for other transitional states, emphasizing the need for integrated, context-aware strategies that reconcile biopolitical control with human rights considerations, and explicitly address ethical dilemmas arising from surveillance and other intervention measures. Effective prison health reform requires not only legal mandates but also infrastructural investment to address overcrowding and inadequate health services, intersectoral cooperation, sustained political commitment, and a fundamental commitment to restoring and upholding the human dignity of individuals in carceral settings. It also necessitates establishing safeguards to ensure that monitoring tools are used strictly for health purposes and do not become instruments of unfair control or discrimination.

ABSTRACT This paper examines the lived experiences of Scheduled Caste communities in a context where ethnic politics dominate, and the experiences of ‘caste’ are not explicitly acknowledged by the major communities in this region. This study draws upon fieldwork conducted in Phayeng, Andro, Kakching, and Karang in Manipur, Northeast India to present the social memories and lived realities of the Lois, a Scheduled Caste community in Manipur. Caste in this region is embedded within ethnicized practices of exclusion, spatial segregation, and stigmatization rather than functioning through rigid hierarchies based on religious doctrines. The paper argues for a rethinking of caste theory to include what we term ‘ethno-caste’ formations and calls for regionally grounded, field-based, context-sensitive approaches that prioritize the voices of marginalized low-caste/outcaste communities in contexts often presumed to be casteless.