Pablo de Olavide University

Feature selection techniques aim at finding a relevant subset of features that perform equally or better than the original set of features at explaining the behavior of data. Typically, features are extracted from feature ranking or subset selection techniques, and the performance is measured by classification or regression tasks. However, while selected features may not have equal importance for the task, they do have equal importance for each class. The fundamental idea of the class-specific concept resides in the understanding that the significance of each feature can vary from one class to another. This contrasts with the traditional class-independent approach, which evaluates the importance of attributes collectively for all classes. For example, in tumor prediction scenarios, each type of tumor (class) may be associated with a distinct subset of relevant features. These features possess significant discriminatory power, enabling the differentiation of one tumor type from others (classes). This class-specific perspective offers a more effective approach to classification tasks by recognizing and leveraging the unique characteristics of each class. A novel deep one-versus-each strategy is introduced, which offers advantages from the point of view of explainability (feature selection) and decomposability (classification). In addition, the class-specific relevance matrix is presented, from which some more sophisticated classification schemes can be derived, such as the three-layer class-specific scheme. These schemes have the great advantage to combine independent classification units (e.g., neural networks) that use a reduced number of features to target each class. The potential for further advancements in this area is wide and will open new horizons for exploring novel research directions in interdisciplinary fields, particularly in complex, multiclass hyperdimensional contexts (e.g., in genomics).

Background and Aims Flower colour is a key feature in plant-pollinator interactions that make the flowers visible amid the surrounding green vegetation. Green flowers are expected to be scarcely conspicuous to pollinators; however, many of them are visited by pollinators even in the absence of other traits that might attract pollinators (e.g., floral scents). In this study, we investigate how entomophilous species with green flowers are perceived by pollinators. Methods We obtained reflectance spectra data of 30 European species that display green or green-yellow flowers to the human eye. These data were used to perform spectral analyses, calculate both chromatic (colour contrast against the background) and achromatic (colour contrast that relies on the signals from the green-sensitive photoreceptors) cues, and model colour perception by hymenopterans (bees) and dipterans (flies). Key Results The visibility of green flowers to bees and flies (i.e., their chromatic contrast values) was lower compared to other floral colours commonly pollinated by these insects, whereas green-yellow flowers were as conspicuous as the other flower colours. Green flowers with low chromatic contrast values exhibited higher achromatic contrasts, which is used to detect distant flowers at narrow visual angles, than green-yellow flowers. Additionally, the marker points (i.e., sharp transition in floral reflectance that aid pollinators in locating them) of green and green-yellow flowers aligned to some degree with the colour discrimination abilities of bees and flies. Conclusions We found that many entomophilous green and green-yellow flowers are conspicuous to bees and flies through their chromatic or achromatic contrasts. While acquiring pigments like carotenoids, which impart a yellowish hue to flowers and enhances their visibility to pollinators, could increase their conspicuousness, the metabolic costs of pigment production, along with the use of alternative strategies to attract pollinators, may have constrained carotenoid emergence in certain lineages of green-flowered species.

Purpose Body composition can be estimated using anthropometric-based regression models, which are population-specific and should not be used interchangeably. However, the widespread availability of predictive equations in the literature makes selecting the most valid equations challenging. This systematic review compiles anthropometric-based predictive equations for estimating body mass components, focusing on those developed specifically for athletes using multicomponent models (i.e. separation of body mass into ≥ 3 components). Methods Twenty-nine studies published between 2000 and 2024 were identified through a systematic search of international electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus). Studies using substandard procedures or developing predictive equations for non-athletic populations were excluded. Results A total of 40 equations were identified from the 29 studies. Of these, 36 were applicable to males and 17 to females. Twenty-six equations were developed to estimate fat mass, 10 for fat-free mass, three for appendicular lean soft tissue, and one for skeletal muscle mass. Thirteen equations were designed for mixed athletes, while others focused on specific contexts: soccer (n = 8); handball and rugby (n = 3 each); jockeys, swimming, and Gaelic football (n = 2 each); and futsal, padel, basketball, volleyball, American football, karate, and wheelchair athletes (n = 1 each). Conclusions This review presented high-standards anthropometric-based predictive equations for assessing body composition in athletes and encourages the development of new equations for underrepresented sports in the current literature. Graphical abstract

This paper deals with the problem of determining the most appropriate number of clusters in a fuzzy Mahalanobis partition. First, a new fuzzy Mahalanobis incremental algorithm is constructed to search for an optimal fuzzy Mahalanobis partition with $2,\,3,\ldots$ clusters. Among these partitions, selecting the one with the most appropriate number of clusters is based on appropriately modified existing fuzzy indexes. In addition, the Fuzzy Mahalanobis Minimal Distance index is defined as a natural extension of the recently proposed Mahalanobis Minimal Distance index for non-fuzzy clustering. The new fuzzy Mahalanobis incremental algorithm was tested on several artificial data sets and the color image segmentation problems from real-world applications: art images, nature photography images, and medical images. The algorithm includes multiple usage of the global optimization algorithm DIRECT. But unlike previously known fuzzy Mahalanobis indexes, the proposed Fuzzy Mahalanobis Minimal Distance index ensures accurate results even when applied to complex real-world applications. A possible disadvantage could be the need for longer CPU time. Furthermore, besides effective identification of the partition with the most appropriate number of clusters, it is shown how to use the proposed Fuzzy Mahalanobis Minimal Distance index to search for an acceptable partition, which proved particularly useful in the above-mentioned real-world applications.

Purpose : To compare the acute effects on mechanical, metabolic, neuromuscular, and muscle contractile responses to different velocity-loss (VL) thresholds (20% and 40%) under distinct blood-flow conditions (free [FF] vs restricted [BFR]) in full squat (SQ). Methods : Twenty strength-trained men performed 4 SQ protocols with 60% 1-repetition maximum that differed in the VL within the set and in the blood-flow condition (FF20: FF with 20% VL; FF40: FF with 40% VL; BFR20: BFR with 20% VL; and BFR40: BFR with 40% VL). The level of BFR was 50% of the arterial occlusion pressure. Before and after the SQ protocols, the following tests were performed: (1) tensiomyography, (2) blood lactate, (3) countermovement jump, (4) maximal voluntary isometric SQ contraction, and (5) performance with the load that elicited a 1 m·s ⁻¹ at baseline measurements in SQ. Results : No “BFR × VL” interactions were observed. BFR protocols resulted in fewer repetitions and lower increases in lactate concentration than FF protocols. The 40% VL protocols completed more repetitions but resulted in lower mechanical performance and electromyography median frequency during the exercise than the 20% VL protocols. At postexercise, the 40% VL protocols also experienced greater blood lactate concentrations, higher alterations in tensiomyography-derived variables, and accentuated impairments in SQ and countermovement-jump performances. The 20% VL protocols showed an increased electromyography median frequency at postexercise maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Conclusions : Despite BFR-accelerated fatigue development during exercise, a given VL magnitude induced similar impairments in the distinct performance indicators assessed, regardless of the blood-flow condition.

Given two graphs G and H, their modular product $G\diamond H$ is defined to be the graph with $V(G\diamond H)=V(G)\times V(H)$ and $E(G\diamond H)=E(G\Box H)\cup E(G\times H)\cup E(\overline{G}\times \overline{H})$. A dominating set of G is any set $D\subseteq V(G)$ such that every vertex of G not contained in D has a neighbor in D. A total dominating set of G is a dominating set D of G with the additional property that all vertices of D also have a neighbor in D. The domination number $\gamma (G)$ (resp. total domination number $\gamma _{t}(G)$) of G is the cardinality of a smallest dominating set (resp. total dominating set) of G. In this work we give several upper and lower bounds for $\gamma (G\diamond H)$ in terms of $\gamma (G),$ $\gamma (H)$, $\gamma _{t}(\overline{G})$ and $\gamma _{t} (\overline{H})$, where $\overline{G}$ is the complement graph of G. Further, we fully describe graphs where $\gamma (G\diamond H)=k$ for $k\in \{1,2,3\}$. Several conditions on G and H under which $\gamma (G\diamond H)$ is at most 4 and 5 are also given. A new type of simultaneous domination $\bar{\gamma }(G)$, defined as the smallest number of vertices that dominates G and totally dominates the complement of G, emerged as useful and we believe it could be of independent interest. We conclude the paper by proposing few directions for possible further research.

Pan‐cyclin‐dependent‐kinase (CDK) inhibitors are a new class of targeted therapies that can act on multiple CDKs, with dinaciclib being one of the most promising compounds. Although used as a monotherapy, an interesting approach could be to combine it with radiotherapy. Here, we show that dinaciclib increases radiosensitivity in some experimental models of lung and colon cancer (A549 or HCT 116) but not in others (H1299 or HT‐29). Dinaciclib did not alter serine‐protein kinase ATM signalling or cell cycle profiling after ionising‐radiation exposure, which have been described for other CDK inhibitors. Interestingly, in terms of apoptosis, although the combination renders a clear increase, no potentiation of the ionising‐radiation‐induced apoptosis was observed. Mechanistically, inhibition of CDK12 by dinaciclib diminishes BRCA1 expression, which decreases homologous recombination (HR) and probably promotes the nonhomologous end joining repair process (NHEJ), which ultimately promotes the induction of ionising‐radiation‐associated cellular senescence in a TP53‐dependent manner, explaining the lack of effect observed in some experimental models. In conclusion, our report proposes a molecular mechanism, based on the signalling axis CDK12–BRCA1, involved in this newly identified therapeutic effect of dinaciclib, although other players implicated in HR should not be discarded. In addition, our data provide a rationale for more selective and personalised chemo/radiotherapy treatment according to the genetic background of the tumour.

The process of biofilm formation during table olive fermentation is crucial to turning this fermented vegetable into a probiotic food. Some phenolic compounds have been described as important quorum‐sensing molecules during biofilm development. The present in vitro study examined the effects of three phenolic compounds widely found in table olive fermentations (Oleuropein 0–3000 ppm, Hydroxytyrosol 0–3000 ppm, and Tyrosol 0–300 ppm) on the development of single biofilm by diverse microorganisms isolated from table olives (Lactiplantibacillus pentosus 13B4, Lp119, and LPG1; Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp15 and LAB23; and yeasts Wickerhamomyces anomalus Y12, Candida boidinii Y13, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y18). Biofilm formation was quantified in vitro by crystal violet staining in microtiter plates after incubation at 30°C for 96 h. A clear tendency to decrease the biofilm production was observed for the L. plantarum strains when any of the three phenolic compounds were added to the medium, which was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) for certain concentrations and phenols. In the case of yeasts, no statistical influence on biofilm formation was noticed when the phenolic compounds were dosed to the culture medium. Finally, the effects of the phenolic compounds on the L. pentosus strains were dependent on the strain assayed. Thereby, addition of phenolic compounds on 13B4 or Lp119 strains did not have statistical influence on biofilm production. On the contrary, the probiotic LPG1 strain noticed a statistical increase in biofilm production when a low concentration of tyrosol (50 ppm) was added to the medium. Results obtained in this work could be useful to control the biofilm formation process on olive epidermis during table olive fermentation to include beneficial microorganisms.

We examine consumer bargaining behaviour in three different countries, Austria, Brazil, and Italy, to provide cross-cultural insights with respect to bargaining intentions, processes, and outcomes. In contrast to previous research, we find that customers bargain for hedonic fulfilment rather than the achievement of a discount. Satisfaction with bargaining outcomes also mediates the relationship between hedonic motivation and intention to bargain. Our results suggest that retailers should enrich customer-shopping experiences by activating their hedonic motives to bargain beyond merely signalling a willingness to negotiate discounts, warranties, and additional services. We identify bargaining intention as a new tool for retailers to increase customer satisfaction in the purchase process. Keywords: purchase process; customers’; experience; bargaining intention; motives to bargain; purchase goals.

Hundreds of thousands of small open reading frames (smORFs) of less than 100 codons exist in every genome, especially in long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and in the 5′ leaders of mRNAs. smORFs are often discarded as nonfunctional, but ribosomal profiling (RiboSeq) reveals that thousands are translated, while characterised smORF functions have risen from anecdotal to identifiable trends: smORFs can either have a cis-noncoding regulatory function (involving low translation of nonfunctional peptides) or full coding function mediated by robustly translated peptides, often having cellular and physiological roles as membrane-associated regulators of canonical proteins. The evolutionary context reveals that many smORFs represent new genes emerging de novo from noncoding sequences. We suggest a mechanism for this process, where cis-noncoding smORF functions provide niches for the subsequent evolution of full peptide functions.

The capacity to regenerate lost organs is widespread among animals, and yet the number of species in which regeneration has been experimentally probed using molecular and functional assays is very small. This is also the case for insects, for which we still lack a complete picture of their regeneration mechanisms and the extent of their conservation. Here, we contribute to filling this gap by investigating regeneration in the mayfly Cloeon dipterum. We focus on the abdominal gills of Cloeon nymphs, which are critical for osmoregulation and gas exchange. After amputation, gills re-grow faster than they do during normal development. Direct cell count and EdU assays indicate that growth acceleration involves an uniform increase in cell proliferation throughout the gill, rather than a localized growth zone. Accordingly, transcriptomic analysis reveals an early enrichment in cell cycle-related genes. Other gene classes are also enriched in regenerating gills, including protein neddylation and other proteostatic processes. We then showed the conservation of these mechanisms by functionally testing protein neddylation, the activin signalling pathway or the mRNA-binding protein Lin28, among other genes, in Drosophila larval/pupal wing regeneration. Globally, our results contribute to elucidating regeneration mechanisms in mayflies and the conservation of mechanisms involved in regeneration across insects.

The prohibition of the use of force is a fundamental modern principle of international law proclaimed in the United Nations Charter in 1945. Despite its recent history, the principle is arguably one of the most contested, some commentators even claiming that it fell into desuetude within a short space of time. Just as Franck asked, ‘Who killed art. 2.4?’, some scholars are questioning whether given the frequent violation of rule, we can in fact consider that states have given their consent to it. They are also raising the question as to whether it is necessary to adapt the rule to the new security context to avoid it being ignored altogether by the states.

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has shocked all who believed that the international legal order and international community were effective enough to prevent World War II scenarios from occurring again. Yet such spectacles were already unfolding outside Europe.

In 1793, the French Constitution proclaimed that the French Republic ‘ne s’immisce point dans le gouvernement des autres nations; il ne souffre pas que les autres nations s’immiscent dans le sien’. Yet at that very time, France had already initiated a practice of intervention to support those peoples with the intent of overthrowing the monarchy. This can summarise state practices throughout the centuries regarding the principle of non-intervention. As Potter stated many years later in 1930, ‘des hommes d’Etat français, britanniques, américains et autres ont défini l’intervention et l’ont tour à tour approuvée ou condamnée, selon les besoins de la politique du moment, d’une façon quelque peu cynique et changeante’.

On 21 February 2022, President Vladimir Putin signed two Presidential Decrees on the recognition of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics as independent states, based on the will expressed by the people of the Republics. It was followed by the President’s well-known 24 February address launching the special operation, using the doctrine of humanitarian intervention among others as a ground for intervention, and linking the recognition of independence to the doctrine of remedial secession. In this regard, ‘the feelings and pain of these people that were the main motivating force behind our decision to recognise the independence of the Donbass people’s republics’. A year later, in a speech before the Duma, President Putin addressed the residents of Donetsk and Lugansk: ‘you, my friends, determined your future at the referendums’. Based on these facts, to consider today that the principle of self-determination is a principle linked mainly to the process of decolonization is to ignore the evolution, manipulation and politicization of one of the fundamental principles of international law, which, according to Kohen, is ‘the most important fundamental principle of contemporary international law’. In addition, certain situations and people are still awaiting the exercise of the right to self-determination in the twenty-first century. We will come back to some of them in the next section. The cases of the Sahara, Palestine and Chagos for their part, are addressed in the sections that follows.

Today, the future of the world order is uncertain, owing not only to the Russian aggression but also to certain state practices and the consequent weakening of the fundamental principles of international law. Nevertheless, we can still consider that an international community exists on the grounds of common principles and values that still stand. When we refer to an international community, we are not suggesting that positions are shared across the board: not all members always have exactly the same interests. Members are not equal and interests may vary, but the principles and values remain.

State sovereignty is one of the principles enshrined in Resolution 2625 (XXV) and is linked to the concept of equality. It determines perhaps in this way the ultimate objective of this principle in the contemporary world: promoting peaceful coexistence and cooperation rather than recognising and guaranteeing traditional state prerogatives. In this regard, the Resolution refers to equality while simultaneously recognising ‘differences of an economic, social, political or other nature’. The question is therefore: How can we address sovereign states, which are regarded as both equal and unequal at the same time?

On the deep and dark seafloor, a cryptic and yet untapped microbial diversity flourishes around hydrothermal vent systems. This remote environment of difficult accessibility exhibits extreme conditions, including high pressure, steep temperature- and redox gradients, limited availability of oxygen and complete darkness. In this study, we analysed the genomes of three aerobic strains belonging to the phylum Planctomycetota that were isolated from two deep-sea iron- rich hydroxide deposits with low temperature diffusive vents. The vents are located in the Arctic and Pacific Ocean at a depth of 600 and 1,734 m below sea level, respectively. The isolated strains Pr1dT, K2D and TBK1r were analyzed with a focus on genome-encoded features that allow phenotypical adaptations to the low temperature iron-rich deep-sea environment. The comparison with genomes of closely related surface-inhabiting counterparts indicates that the deep-sea isolates do not differ significantly from members of the phylum Planctomycetota inhabiting other habitats, such as macroalgae biofilms and the ocean surface waters. Despite inhabiting extreme environments, our “deep and dark”-strains revealed a mostly non-extreme genome biology.