Unifying Mechanism Research Articles

Economic and social values in the brain: evidence from lesions to the human ventromedial prefrontal cortex.

Making good economic and social decisions is essential for individual and social welfare. Decades of research have provided compelling evidence that damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is associated with dramatic personality changes and impairments in economic and social decision-making. However, whether the vmPFC subserves a unified mechanism in the social and non-social domains remains unclear. When choosing between economic options, the vmPFC is thought to guide decision by encoding value signals that reflect the motivational relevance of the options on a common scale. A recent framework, the "extended common neural currency" hypothesis, suggests that the vmPFC may also assign values to social factors and principles, thereby guiding social decision-making. Although neural value signals have been observed in the vmPFC in both social and non-social studies, it is yet to be determined whether they have a causal influence on behavior or merely correlate with decision-making. In this review, we assess whether lesion studies of patients with vmPFC damage offer evidence for such a causal role of the vmPFC in shaping economic and social behavior.

Mechanical assessment of novel compliant mechanisms for underactuated prosthetic hands.

This paper proposes novel compliant mechanisms for constructing hand prostheses based on soft robotics. Two models of prosthetic hands are developed in this work. Three mechanical evaluations are performed to determine the suitability of the two designs for carrying out activities of daily living (ADLs). The first test measures the grip force that the prosthesis can generate on objects. The second determines the energy required and dissipated from the prosthesis to operate. The third test identifies the maximum traction force that the prosthesis can support. The tests showed that the PrHand1 prosthesis has a maximum grip force of 23.38 ± 1.5 N, the required energy is 0.76 ± 0.13 J, and the dissipated energy is 0.21 ± 0.17 J. It supports a traction force of 173.31 ± 5.7 N. The PrHand2 prosthesis has a maximum grip force of 36.13 ± 2.3 N, the required energy is 1.28 ± 0.13 J, the dissipated energy is 0.96 ± 0.12 J, and it supports a traction force of 78.48 ± 0 N. In conclusion, the PrHand1 prosthesis has a better performance in terms of energy and tensile force supported. The difference between the energy and traction force results is related to two design features of the PrHand2: fully silicone-coated fingers and a unifying mechanism that requires more force on the tendons to close the prosthesis. The grip force of the PrHand2 prosthesis was more robust than the PrHand1 due to its silicone coating, which allowed for an improved grip.

Vision-force-fused curriculum learning for robotic contact-rich assembly tasks.

Contact-rich robotic manipulation tasks such as assembly are widely studied due to their close relevance with social and manufacturing industries. Although the task is highly related to vision and force, current methods lack a unified mechanism to effectively fuse the two sensors. We consider coordinating multimodality from perception to control and propose a vision-force curriculum policy learning scheme to effectively fuse the features and generate policy. Experiments in simulations indicate the priorities of our method, which could insert pegs with 0.1 mm clearance. Furthermore, the system is generalizable to various initial configurations and unseen shapes, and it can be robustly transferred from simulation to reality without fine-tuning, showing the effectiveness and generalization of our proposed method. The experiment videos and code will be available at https://sites.google.com/view/vf-assembly.

OR27-01 Upregulated Prdm16 Impairs Adipogenesis And Promotes Myogenesis Via PAX7 And Osteogenesis In Testosterone-treated Hypogonadal Men

Abstract Disclosure: S. Bathina: None. M. Prado: None. L. Aguirre: None. G. Colleluori: None. E. Ballato: None. F. Deepika: None. V. Fuenmayor Lopez: None. D.T. Villareal: None. R.A. Villareal: None. Background: Testosterone (T) therapy increases lean mass; reduces total body and truncal fat mass and increases bone density in hypogonadal men. However, the underlying mechanisms for these changes remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms involved for these effects of T on body composition and bone. Objective: Our aims are to evaluate the changes in 1) the gene and protein machinery involved the adipo-myogenic switch, and 2) the cellular osteogenic markers, in-vivo, in response to T therapy. Methods and Study design: Secondary analysis of specimens obtained from a single-arm, open-label clinical trial (NCT01378299) on pharmacogenetics of response to T therapy conducted between 2011-2016 N=105 men (40-74 years old), with average morning T <300 ng/dL who were given intramuscular T cypionate 200 mg every 2 weeks for 18 months As earlier results from our lab, effect of T therapy is maximal after 6 months, we chose to study the specimens at baseline (BL) and 6 months (6M). We measured the adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ, CEBPa), enzymes (LPL, Adipsin) from subcutaneous fat, and myogenic lineage (Myf5, MyoD), Prdm16 and Pax7 from buffy coat by real-time quantitative PCR at BL and 6M. Serum Follistatin, PRDM16, PAX7 Myostatin, Adipsin were measured by ELISA. Changes in circulating osteogenic precursors (COP) and osteoclast precursors (OCPs) by Flow cytometry, and gene expression of osteoblastic transcription factor, Runx2, by PCR of buffy coat. OCPs in response to testosterone therapy were evaluated from samples of men participating in an ongoing clinical trial (NCT03887936). Results: T therapy decreased PPARg (BL: 2.59±2.2 vs 6M: 1.23±1.0, p=0.03); CEBPa (BL: 3.0±2.57 vs 6M: 1.7±1.2, p=0.10) LPL (BL: 2.81±2.7 vs 6M: 1.74±2.2, p=0.27) in sub-cutaneous fat tissue and increased the expression of MyoD (BL:1.34±1.6 vs 6M: 8.2±12.7, p=0.02) and Myf5 (BL: 6.1±9.7 vs 6M: 12.9±27.7, p=0.26) along with the adipo-myogenic switch, Prdm16 (BL: 1.8±1.9 vs 6M: 4.5±4.1, p< 0.01); Pax7 (BL:1.3±0.8 vs 6M: 1.9±2.0, p=0.2) in buffy coat. T therapy also increased serum Follistatin (BL:2031±1483 vs 6M: 3396 ± 1662pg/ml, p=0.009), the myogenic regulator, PAX7 (BL:21.5±1.9 vs 6M: 34±2.2ng/ml, p=0.002); and PRDM16 (BL:0.20±0.10 vs 6M: 0.49±0.26ng/ml, p=0.29) and decreased serum Myostatin (BL: 3218±738 vs 6M: 2714±62.2pg/ml, p=0.42) Adipsin (BL:15929±10209 vs 6M:12101±4865ng/ml p=0.04). COPs increased in T-treated (T) compared to Placebo (P); (P (6M): -4.3±57 vs T(6M): -20.2±44, p=0.20 & P(12M): -15.7±44.5 vs T(12M): 47.4±74.8, p=0.02)) and Runx2 expression increased (BL: 1.26±0.86 vs 6M: 2.17±1.6, p=0.03). Conclusions: Our results suggested that reciprocal effect of T-therapy on fat mass and lean mass is not only due to shift from adipogenesis to myogenesis but also due to enhanced osteogenesis. Thus, this study can provide unifying mechanism for observed effect of T in hypogonadal men. Presentation Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023

Biology of Mesothelin and Clinical Implications: A Review of Existing Literature.

Since its discovery in 1992, mesothelin (MSLN) has generated significant interest as a therapeutic target. A number of characteristics make it ideal for this purpose. First, it is not expressed on the parenchyma of any vital organs. Second, it is differentially expressed on a number of cancer types that have relatively poor prognosis and lack effective systemic options. Third, it is expressed on the cell membrane making it accessible to large molecule targeted therapies. However, unlike other drug targets that have been exploited for therapeutic benefit, the precise function of MSLN, why it is expressed in certain cancers, and its biological role have not been clearly elucidated. Here the existing literature on the cellular function and expression patterns of MSLN across tumor types is reviewed in order to gain further understanding of this intriguing molecule. In doing so, we conclude that there remains significant ambiguity surrounding its function and role in cellular and tumor biology. Furthermore, the expression of MSLN and its relation of prognosis seems to depend on the type of tumor. Finally, the unified mechanism by which MSLN acts as a protein that conveys tumor aggressiveness remains elusive. What is clear is that there is much yet to be discovered in this realm and doing so may have large implications for treatment of otherwise lethal malignancies.

К вопросу о социализации личности как стратегической цели системы общего и профессионального образования

Future of Russia depends on the reform of education. Therefore, there is an active search for ways to solve this fateful task. The most important condition for the success of this process is the choice of a conceptual framework capable of becoming the organizing and guiding force of the reform. Fragmented in parts, education must be assembled into a single system capable of adequately fulfilling the social order of society. The theory of functional systems, developed by Academician P.K. Anokhin, can act as a methodological basis for the reform process. The core of his theory is to obtain a result through the interaction of its components. This initiates the need to determine the desired result, which at the initial stage acts as a goal. The goal-result serves as the unifying mechanism that turns disparate components into a functional system. In our time, the world is changing so rapidly that the education of a new person becomes the most important strategic task of society and the state. Therefore, the result of the activity of education, as a functional system, is the socialization of the individual. This concept is widely used in the literature. But in this case, it is of an expansive nature, since along with the education of the worldview basis of a person, it also includes professional training suitable for achieving a decent standard of living in society. The most important conditions for reforming education in Russia are: 1) a rigorous scientific approach to creating an education model built on an adequate conceptual basis; 2) smart, responsible, professional political will of the state, which manifests itself not in the form of formally voiced catchy slogans — “education needs to be reformed”, but in the creation of a special management mechanism that is functionally capable of organizing large-scale scientific research to solve the problems of reforming education in the country.

The reaction-diffusion basis of animated patterns in eukaryotic flagella

The flagellar beat of bull spermatozoa and C. Reinhardtii are modelled by a minimal, geometrically exact, reaction-diffusion system. Spatio-temporal animated patterns describe flagellar waves, analogous to chemical-patterns from classical reaction-diffusion systems, with sliding-controlled molecular motor reaction-kinetics. The reaction-diffusion system is derived from first principles as a consequence of the high-internal dissipation by the flagellum relative to the external hydrodynamic dissipation. Quantitative comparison with nonlinear, large-amplitude simulations shows that animated reaction-diffusion patterns account for the experimental beating of both bull sperm and C. Reinhardtii. Our results suggest that a unified mechanism may exist for motors controlled by sliding, without requiring curvature-sensing, and uninfluenced by hydrodynamics. High-internal dissipation instigates autonomous travelling waves independently of the external fluid, enabling progressive swimming, otherwise not possible, in low viscosity environments, potentially critical for external fertilizers and aquatic microorganisms. The reaction-diffusion system may prove a powerful tool for studying pattern formation of movement on animated structures.

Identifying A Universal Activity Descriptor and a Unifying Mechanism Concept on Perovskite Oxides for Green Hydrogen Production.

Producing indispensable hydrogen and oxygen for social development via water electrolysis shows more prospects than other technologies. Although electrocatalysts have been explored for centuries, a universal activity descriptor for both hydrogen-evolving (HER) and oxygen-evolving reactions (OER) has not been developed. Moreover, a unifying concept has not been established to simultaneously understand HER/OER mechanisms. Here, we rationally bridge the relationships between HER/OER activities in three common electrolytes and over 10 representative material properties on 12 3d-metal-based model oxides through statistical methodologies. Orbital charge-transfer energy (Δ) can serve as an ideal universal descriptor, where a neither too large nor too small Δ (∼1eV) with optimal electron-cloud density around Fermi level affords the best activities, fulfilling Sabatier's principle. Systematic experiments and computations unravel that pristine oxide with Δ ≈ 1eV possesses metal-like high-valence configurations and active lattice-oxygen sites to help adsorb key protons in HER and induce lattice-oxygen participation in OER, respectively. After reactions, partially generated metals in HER and high-valence hydroxides in OER dominate proton adsorption and couple with pristine lattice-oxygen activation, respectively. These can be successfully rationalized by the unifying orbital charge-transfer theory. This work provides the foundation of rational material design and mechanism understanding for many potential applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Differential early‐life survival underlies the adaptive significance of temperature‐dependent sex determination in a long‐lived reptile

Abstract Many ectotherms rely on temperature cues experienced during development to determine offspring sex. The first descriptions of temperature‐dependent sex determination (TSD) were made over 50 years ago, yet an understanding of its adaptive significance remains elusive, especially in long‐lived taxa. One novel hypothesis predicts that TSD should be evolutionarily favoured when two criteria are met—(a) incubation temperature influences annual juvenile survival and (b) sexes mature at different ages. Under these conditions, a sex‐dependent effect of incubation temperature on offspring fitness arises through differences in age at sexual maturity, with the sex that matures later benefiting disproportionately from temperatures that promote juvenile survival. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) serves as an insightful model in which to test this hypothesis, as males begin reproducing nearly a decade after females. Here, through a combination of artificial incubation experiments and mark‐recapture approaches, we test the specific predictions of the survival‐to‐maturity hypothesis for the adaptive value of TSD by disentangling the effects of incubation temperature and sex on annual survival of alligator hatchlings across two geographically distinct sites. Hatchlings incubated at male‐promoting temperatures (MPTs) consistently exhibited higher survival compared to those incubated at female‐promoting temperatures. This pattern appears independent of hatchling sex, as females produced from hormone manipulation at MPT exhibit similar survival to their male counterparts. Additional experiments show that incubation temperature may affect early‐life survival primarily by affecting the efficiency with which maternally transferred energy resources are used during development. Results from this study provide the first explicit empirical support for the adaptive value of TSD in a crocodilian and point to developmental energetics as a potential unifying mechanism underlying persistent survival consequences of incubation temperature. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Three-dimensional reconstructions of mechanosensory end organs suggest a unifying mechanism underlying dynamic, light touch

Across mammalian skin, structurally complex and diverse mechanosensory end organs respond to mechanical stimuli and enable our perception of dynamic, light touch. How forces act on morphologically dissimilar mechanosensory end organs of the skin to gate the requisite mechanotransduction channel Piezo2 and excite mechanosensory neurons is not understood. Here, we report high-resolution reconstructions of the hair follicle lanceolate complex, Meissner corpuscle, and Pacinian corpuscle and the subcellular distribution of Piezo2 within them. Across all three end organs, Piezo2 is restricted to the sensory axon membrane, including axon protrusions that extend from the axon body. These protrusions, which are numerous and elaborate extensively within the end organs, tether the axon to resident non-neuronal cells via adherens junctions. These findings support a unified model for dynamic touch in which mechanical stimuli stretch hundreds to thousands of axon protrusions across an end organ, opening proximal, axonal Piezo2 channels and exciting the neuron.

A unified model for the fairness mechanism‐based coordinated vehicle route guidance

AbstractCoordinated vehicle route guidance is recognized as an effective way to alleviate the Braess' paradox that new congestion is generated since numerous vehicles obey the same guidance from Google Maps. In conventional route games, decision‐makers are assumed to be completely rational (maximized utility is taken as an optimization objective). However, behavioral research finds that not only the expected profit is pursued, but also the fairness psychology is concerned by decision‐makers in game theory. In existing studies, the fairness concern of players is widely accepted in supply chains. Inspired by the fairness psychology of supply chain members, the vehicle fairness coefficient is originally proposed in this paper. Moreover, a unified fairness mechanism of the routing game is built to perfect the existing theoretical framework of route games. Specifically, the formulated vehicle fairness coefficient is incorporated into the payoff functions of a perfectly rational‐based routing game, which makes the single‐objective problem to be multiple. Compared with the current completely rational‐based route games, this improvement allows vehicles to focus not only on travel time but also on route schemes' fairness. The consideration of vehicle fairness concern leads the original symmetric payoff matrix of the route game to be asymmetric. Since the existing solving theorems are not necessarily valid for the asymmetrical multi‐player game, a matched reinforcement learning algorithm is adopted to solve this new game. An experimental study shows that the averaged fairness coefficient is increased from 0.798 to 1.00 on the basis of the equal travel time due to the working of the designed fairness mechanism.

Construction and application of a multilevel geohazard domain ontology: A case study of landslide geohazards

The occurrence of geohazards entails sudden, unpredictable, and cascading effects, with numerous conceptual frameworks and intricate spatiotemporal relationships existing between hazard events. Presently, the absence of a unified mechanism for describing and expressing geohazard knowledge poses substantial challenges in terms of sharing and reusing domain-specific knowledge pertaining to geohazards. Therefore, it is imperative to address the issue of constructing a cohesive descriptive model that facilitates the sharing and reuse of geohazard knowledge. In this study, we propose a multilayered ontology construction method tailored specifically for the domain of landslide geological hazards. By comparing existing methods, we establish a hierarchical structure and expression framework for the geological hazard ontology. Notably, our approach seamlessly integrates the conceptual and semantic layers in the relationship description at each level, enabling association representation of hazard data across multiple tiers. We define essential concepts and attributes related to landslide geological hazards, along with their respective interrelationships. To achieve effective knowledge sharing and reuse, we model the ontology of the landslide geological disaster domain using the Web Ontology Language (OWL). This modeling approach serves as a powerful tool that facilitates the sharing and reuse of disaster-related knowledge. Finally, we verify the method's validity and reliability by employing illustrative case studies. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach imposes an affordable workload on human resources. Additionally, the foundational domain ontology significantly enhances information retrieval performance, thereby yielding satisfactory outcomes.

A Focus on the Voice: Attention as a Unifying Mechanism Underlying Vocal Training and Mindfulness

ABSTRACT Recent decades have generated a proliferation of research into the phenomenon known as mindfulness. This literature gives voice and speech researchers an opportunity to reconceptualize and assess their practices. Voice and Speech Training (VST) for actors shares certain techniques and attitudes in common with mindfulness. Thus, it is plausible that these two practices rely on similar psychological and neurological mechanisms and may produce similar benefits. We provide an interdisciplinary review of the contemporary literature regarding vocal production, VST practices, mindfulness, and meditation, highlighting conceptual and practical connections between them. We propose that attention is a common mechanism that unifies VST practices and mindfulness. We provide an overview of how attention and mindfulness meditation have been conceptualized and summarize recent empirical studies on their possible relationship. Finally, we suggest future directions for how interdisciplinary research teams might investigate the relationship between VST, mindfulness, and attention, and bring empirical methodologies to bear on questions of artistic significance.

Oxidative stress and early mortality in acute ischemic stroke: A prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT Background Malondialdehyde (MDA) is an oxidative stress biomarker, which represents a unifying mechanism of brain injury that occurs throughout the ischemic stroke cascade. The current study aimed to examine whether or not acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who had elevated serum MDA levels at admission had an increased risk of mortality and a worse functional outcome three months later. Methods An observational, prospective cohort study that enrolled 90 patients with AIS. The patients were examined in the first 24 hours and then followed up for three months to assess mortality, short-term neurological functional outcome, and neurological disability by the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS). Results The mean of serum MDA level among AIS patients was 6.3 ± 3.7 nmol/ml. Non-survivor cases were associated with statistically significantly higher serum MDA levels compared to survivors (9.7 ± 4.3 vs. 5.3 ± 2.8, p < 0.001), respectively. Patients with severe stroke, according to NIHSS score, were associated with significantly (p < 0.05) higher MDA levels compared to moderate and mild cases (7.4 ± 4.3 vs. 5.4 ± 2.6 vs. 3.3 ± .6). At a cutoff point of ≥ 6.7 nmol/ml, the area under the curve (AUC) for serum MDA levels as a predictor of mortality was 0.8 (0.69–0.91; p < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 77%, 80%, 89.5%, and 48.5%, respectively. Multivariate regression demonstrated that MDA level was a significant independent predictor of mortality among patients with AIS (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.65; p = 0.041). Conclusion MDA serum level was significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors patients, so MDA could be used as a predictor for early mortality and short-term outcome of cases with AIS.

Attentional Strategies and the Transition From Subitizing to Estimation in Numerosity Perception.

The common view of the transition between subitizing and numerosity estimation regimes is that there is a hard bound on the subitizing range, and beyond this range, people estimate. However, this view does not adequately address the behavioral signatures of enumeration under conditions of attentional load or in the immediate post-subitizing range. The possibility that there might exist a numerosity range where both processes of subitizing and estimation operate in conjunction has so far been ignored. Here, we investigate this new proposal, that people strategically combine the processes of subitizing and estimation to maximize accuracy and precision, given time or attentional constraints. We present a process-level account of how subitizing and estimation can be combined through strategic deployment of attention to maximize the precision of perceived numerosity given time constraints. We then describe a computational model of this account and apply it in two experimental simulations to demonstrate how it can explain key findings in prior enumeration research. While recent modeling work has argued that the behavioral signatures of enumeration can best be explained through a single numerosity system with a single form of representation, we argue that our model demonstrates how the traditional two-systems view of numerical representation accounts for behavioral data through coordination with a unified attentional mechanism, rather than a unifiedrepresentation.

Promoting Hydrogen Evolution and Oxidation by Reconstructing Hydrogen-Bonding Network of Interfacial Water

The hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions (HER/HOR) at the electrode-water control the performance of water electrolyzers and hydrogen fuel cells, two important devices for deep decarbonization of our economy (1). Platinum (Pt) catalyzes the HER/HOR with exceptional activity and stability across a wide pH range. However, its activity progressively decreases by about two orders of magnitude as the pH increases from 0 to 13 (2, 3). The lack of understanding of this pH dependence reflects our fundamental knowledge gaps in electrochemistry and has hindered the advancement of alkaline electrolyzers and fuel cells.Herein, we promoted the HER/HOR of Pt in base by introducing N-methylimidazoles in the Pt-water interface. In situ spectroscopic characterization of the interface together with computations showed that the N-methylimidazoles form strong hydrogen-bonding with neighboring water molecules thereby reconstructing the H-bond network of interfacial water. We accordingly established a unified mechanism by which the HER/HOR in acid and base proceeds via diffusion of protons and hydroxides, respectively through the H-bond network of interfacial water by the Grotthuss mechanism. This mechanism accounts for the pH-dependent HER/HOR kinetics of platinum, a long-standing puzzle. Utilization of N-methylimidazoles as the HER/HOR probes and promoters not only leads to the elucidation of the HER/HOR mechanism but also holds great promise for applications. We have demonstrated 40% performance improvement of an anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer by adding 10-5 M 1,2-dimethylimidazole into the 0.1 M potassium hydroxide solution fed into its Pt cathode. Acknowledgements This work was supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) grant N000141712608 (Q.J.)This research used beamline 7-BM (QAS) of the National Synchrotron Light Source II, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science User Facility operated for the DOE Office of Science by Brookhaven National Laboratory Contract DE-SC0012704. Beamline operations were supported in part by the Synchrotron Catalysis Consortium Grant DE-SC0012335. V. R. Stamenkovic, D. Strmcnik, P. P. Lopes and N. M. Markovic, Nat. Mater., 16, 57 (2017). J. Durst, A. Siebel, C. Simon, F. Hasché, J. Herranz and H. A. Gasteiger, Energy Environ. Sci., 7, 2255 (2014). W. Sheng, Z. Zhuang, M. Gao, J. Zheng, J. G. Chen and Y. Yan, Nat. Commun., 6 (2015). Figure 1

Analysis of the harmonization of contract law Ukraine with the law of the European Union

The introduction of European norms into national legislation can cause certain problems and disagreements.The reasons that can lead to such disagreements, which are mentioned in the statement of the problem, are primarily cultural and historical differences. Countries have their own cultural and historical characteristics that affect their legal systems. European norms may not always take these differences into account, which may lead to differences in the interpretation and application of the law.The reason is the needs and peculiarities of the national economy, because each country has its own economic structure and needs. European norms may not take into account the specifics of the national economy, which may lead to disagreements and cause difficulties in the implementation of certain provisions.European norms may be formulated ambiguously or leave certain aspects uncertain. This can lead to differences in the interpretation and application of the law, as well as to different approaches in court decisions, which is legal ambiguity.Time constraints and the accelerated process of harmonization are also one of the reasons due to differences between Ukrainian and European law. The implementation of European norms can take place at a fast pace, which can make it difficult to adapt and ensure full compliance with national legislation. This can lead to ambiguities and inappropriateness in the legal system.And integration with European law can create challenges in ensuring a unified mechanism for control and dispute resolution. Differences in the interpretation and application of European norms can create problems in resolving disputes between the parties. Therefore, the lack of a single control mechanism is also a reason.Ukrainian contract law needs legislative adaptation. After all, the implementation of European norms requires significant changes in national legislation. This can cause difficulties and require time and resources to implement the necessary reforms.One of the reasons is the lack of full compliance. Ukraine may have difficulties in achieving full compliance with European norms due to various factors, such as backwardness in the development of the legal system, corruption, insufficient legal culture, etc. This can lead to unresolved issues and disagreements with European law.The next reason is the implementation of requirements and standards. Harmonization of contract law with European norms requires the introduction of new requirements and standards. This can be a challenge for government bodies, lawyers, courts and other participants of the legal system, who must familiarize themselves with the new rules, acquire the necessary skills and abilities to apply them.Harmonization of contract law to European standards may also require significant financial costs. This is due to the need for reforms, training of specialists, development and implementation of new laws and legal instruments. The government and other stakeholders must commit sufficient resources to ensure successful harmonization, which is a challenge.The reason for the discrepancy between domestic and European law is the interaction with other branches of law. Harmonization of contract law can affect other areas of law, such as economic, civil and labor law.Changes in one area may necessitate changes in the corresponding areas, which may cause complications and disagreements in their interaction.Harmonization of contract law requires broad public support and involvement. This means the need to inform citizens, businesses and other interested parties about the changes, hold consultations and take into account their opinions and suggestions. Support and involvement of society is needed. Despite these challenges, the harmonization of contract law of Ukraine with European law remains important and necessary. This will contribute to the creation of a single legal space, increased protection of the rights of citizens and enterprises, development of trade and investments, and improvement of justice.However, it is important to take into account the specificities and needs of the country when implementing European norms, ensuring a balance between global standards and national realities.

Conspiracy theories explained by a cheating detection mechanism

AbstractResearch on conspiracy theories sometimes tends to pathologise this phenomenon with a focus on the impact of (sub)pathological predictors. However, socio‐political factors also play a significant role in predicting belief in specific conspiracy theories. The aim of this article is to bridge these two perspectives through a unified cognitive mechanism. Based on an overlap between cheating and conspiracy concepts, we assume a cheating detection mechanism likely to underlie belief in conspiracy theories. Starting from the adaptive challenges of cheating detection, we explore the workings of this mechanism using signal detection theory and error management theory. The probability of cheating and decision bias according to the asymmetry of error costs in cheating detection could lead individuals to infer conspiracy theories. This functional mechanism not only explains the links between socio‐political predictors and adherence to conspiracy theories but also helps us deduce alterations that may foster a stable inclination towards believing in conspiracy theories. These alterations, in turn, offer an explanation for the links between (sub)pathological predictors and conspiracy mentality. By integrating existing literature, our proposed model sheds light on the mechanisms underlying belief in conspiracy theories and presents new predictions to guide future research.

A unifying mechanism for protein transport through the core bacterial Sec machinery.

Encapsulation and compartmentalization are fundamental to the evolution of cellular life, but they also pose a challenge: how to partition the molecules that perform biological functions-the proteins-across impermeable barriers into sub-cellular organelles, and to the outside. The solution lies in the evolution of specialized machines, translocons, found in every biological membrane, which act both as gate and gatekeeper across and into membrane bilayers. Understanding how these translocons operate at the molecular level has been a long-standing ambition of cell biology, and one that is approaching its denouement; particularly in the case of the ubiquitous Sec system. In this review, we highlight the fruits of recent game-changing technical innovations in structural biology, biophysics and biochemistry to present a largely complete mechanism for the bacterial version of the core Sec machinery. We discuss the merits of our model over alternative proposals and identify the remaining open questions. The template laid out by the study of the Sec system will be of immense value for probing the many other translocons found in diverse biological membranes, towards the ultimate goal of altering or impeding their functions for pharmaceutical or biotechnological purposes.

Noise reduction as a unified mechanism of perceptual learning in both artificial and biological visual systems

Noise reduction as a unified mechanism of perceptual learning in both artificial and biological visual systems