A new species of Stegonotus (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the remnant coastal forests of southern Timor-Leste

During the first amphibian and reptile survey of Timor-Leste, we discovered a population of groundsnakes, genus Stegonotus, in the last remnant of lowland coastal forest along the country’s southern coast, which represents a new species. This sexually dimorphic species can be differentiated from all other Wallacean Stegonotus by a combination of 17-17-15 dorsals, ventrals (female 206; males 197–207), paired subcaudals (female 61; males 71–75), the “gull wing +” condition of the rostral, large squared prefrontals that each are 2.5 times the area of the internasals and two-thirds the size of the frontal, a snout-scale ratio of near 0.4 and a frontal-parietal suture ratio of ≤ 1.0, a labial scale formula of 73+4 | 94, five gulars separating the posterior genial and the anteriormost ventral, and an overall brown body coloration that lightens progressively from the vertebral scale row in a dorsal–lateral direction and features color gradients of dark brown posterior edges to lighter brown anterior edges on individual scales. The species is most similar in overall morphology to S. modestus from the central Moluccas and to S. lividus, a species known only from tiny Semau Island that lies off the western end of Timor Island, in close proximity to Kupang, the capital of the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara.

Red state, blue state: The polarizing influence of color in political maps

The U.S. political landscape is increasingly polarized. Political polarization is made especially salient when visualized using a two-tone U.S. map with red Republican-leaning states and blue Democrat-leaning states. However, such dichotomization conceals the true spectrum of political opinion and voting patterns. We asked whether dichotomizing maps into red and blue states leads people to overestimate polarization compared to maps that represent voting patterns continuously using red to white to blue hue and saturation color gradients. And if so, is this polarizing effect due to partisan semantic associations with red and blue, or can any color mappings produce similar effects? Online U.S. participants estimated the hypothetical voting patterns of eight swing states depicted using dichotomous or continuous red/blue or orange/green color maps. The dichotomous red/blue maps produced more polarized predictions than the continuous red/blue maps, but there was no difference between dichotomous and continuous orange/green maps. This suggests the polarizing effect red/blue dichotomous maps have on predicted voting patterns can be mitigated by switching to novel colors. We conclude that the tribal associations and categorical nature of red/blue maps are not simply tools for illustrating political polarization in the U.S.—they may in fact be exacerbating them.

The Formation of Isolated Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies in Romulus25

We use the Romulus25 cosmological simulation volume to identify the largest-ever simulated sample of field ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs). At z = 0, we find that isolated UDGs have average star formation rates, colors, and virial masses for their stellar masses and environment. UDGs have moderately elevated HI masses, being 70% (300%) more HI-rich than typical isolated dwarf galaxies at luminosities brighter (fainter) than MB=-14. However, UDGs are consistent with the general isolated dwarf galaxy population and make up ∼20% of all field galaxies with 107<M⋆/M⊙<109. The HI masses, effective radii, and overall appearances of our UDGs are consistent with existing observations of field UDGs, but we predict that many isolated UDGs have been missed by current surveys. Despite their isolation at z = 0, the UDGs in our sample are the products of major mergers. Mergers are no more common in UDG than non-UDG progenitors, but mergers that create UDGs tend to happen earlier – almost never occurring after z = 1, produce a temporary boost in spin, and cause star formation to be redistributed to the outskirts of galaxies, resulting in lower central star formation rates. The centers of the galaxies fade as their central stellar populations age, but their global star formation rates are maintained through bursts of star formation at larger radii, producing steeper negative g-r color gradients. This formation channel is unique relative to other proposals for UDG formation in isolated galaxies, demonstrating that UDGs can potentially be formed through multiple mechanisms.

Method to Create Perceptually Uniform Color Gradients with Optimized Color Differences between each Step for Data Visualization

This paper presents an original method to create optimized color differences between each step of a CIELAB perceptually uniform color gradient. The relevant equations for the necessary color space transformations are discussed, along with the procedure to determine and optimize the color differences between each gradient step. A specific implementation for perceptually uniform color gradients is discussed for safe terrain clearance in manned aviation during a degraded visual environment.

Photometric properties of reionization-epoch galaxies in the Simba simulations

We study the photometric properties and sizes of the reionization-epoch galaxies in high-resolution Simba cosmological hydrodynamical simulations with box sizes of [25, 50]h−1Mpc. Assuming various attenuation laws, we compute photometry by extincting each star particle’s spectrum using the line-of-sight gas metal column density. The predicted ultraviolet luminosity function (UVLF) generally agrees with observations at z = 6, owing to a partial cancellation between the high metallicities of the simulated galaxies and lower dust-to-metal ratios. The simulated z = 8 UVLF is low compared to observations, likely owing to excessive dust extinction. Simba predicts UV continuum slopes (β) in agreement with the z = 6 observations, with the best agreement obtained using a Calzetti extinction law. Interestingly, the gas-phase mass-metallicity relation in Simba is higher at z ∼ 6 than at z ∼ 2, suggesting that rapid early enrichment (and dust growth) might be necessary to match the observed β. We find that β is more sensitive to the dust extinction law than the UVLF. By generating mock James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) images and analysing in a manner similar to observations, we show that Simba’s galaxy size–luminosity relation well reproduces the current z = 6 Hubble observations. Unlike observations at lower redshifts, Simba predicts similar rest-UV and rest-optical sizes of z = 6 galaxies, owing to weak age gradients and dust extinction in star-forming regions counteract each other to weaken the color gradients within galaxies. These predictions will be testable with JWST.

Analytical evaluation of breath acetone tubes

Breath analysis provides opportunities for further development of precise and quick non-invasive diagnostic tools. The important example is the monitoring of metabolic flexibility through the acetone levels in an exhale. Metabolic changes may cause such pathological conditions as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. It is proven that breath acetone levels can indicate the states of ketosis or ketoacidosis. The development of sensitive, selective and easy-to-use tests for breath acetone is a step to personalized diagnostics, preliminary diagnosis and therapeutic control The aim of the research was to evaluate analytical characteristics of acetone breath tubes intended for non-invasive monitoring of metabolic state. The test is designed as an easy-to-blow glass tube, comprising a chemical reagent highly sensitive to acetone. The reagent changes its color from yellow to magenta depending on acetone concentrations. Sensitivity assessment was performed by lab simulation of an exhaled breath with various acetone concentrations. The acetone levels corresponded to a range associated with various metabolic conditions and were controlled by titrimetric method and a portable breath analyzer. Additionally, specificity to a target gas in the presence of water and ethanol vapors was assessed. The results showed a correlation between the acetone concentration and the color gradients of the acetone sensitive reagent. The tubes show no reactions towards water and ethanol vapors.

Relationships between temperament, meat quality, and carcass traits in Nellore cattle1

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between temperament in Nellore bulls with carcass and meat quality traits. In total, 1,400 bulls were studied, and temperament was assessed using two measurements: movement score (MOV) and flight speed test (FS). Both MOV and FS were measured at two time points, with background (MOVb and FSb) temperament measured at yearling age, ~550 d after birth, and the preslaughter (MOVps and FSps) temperament measured at the end of the feedlot period. The change of temperament resulting in an increase or decrease in reactivity was also used to measure meat quality. The traits used to define carcass and meat quality included carcass bruises (BRU), hot carcass weight (HCW, kg), ribeye area (REA, cm2), backfat thickness (BFT, cm), marbling score (MS), meat pH after thawing (pH), presence or absence of dark cutters, color parameters of luminosity (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*), cooking loss (CL, %), and Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF, kg). A principal component (PC) analysis was initially applied to the carcass and meat quality traits, followed by logistic regression models and linear mixed models to evaluate the effects of temperament on carcass and meat quality. The risks of carcass bruises and dark cutters did not differ as a function of any temperament trait (P > 0.05). In turn, animals classified as high MOVb (reactive) had lower PC3 values (P = 0.05), CL (P = 0.02), and tended to have lower MS (P = 0.08). In addition, animals classified as high FSb (faster and reactive cattle) produced carcasses with smaller REA (P < 0.01), higher meat pH (P < 0.01), lower color gradients (L*, P = 0.04; b*, P < 0.01), and lower PC1 and PC4 scores (P < 0.01) when compared with the low FSb class. For preslaughter temperament, high MOVps was related to lower color a* (P = 0.04), whereas high FSps was related to lower HCW, MS, and PC2 (P < 0.01) than the calmer ones (low FSps). The reduction in MOV was related to more tender meat, and the reduction in FS to heavier carcass and brighter meat. We conclude that excitable temperament in Nellore cattle may have negative effects in some of the carcass and meat quality attributes assessed, mainly those related to muscle deposition on carcass and color gradients. Measurement of temperament before the cattle entered the feedlot was a better predictor of carcass and meat quality traits, compared with temperament assessment at the end of the feeding period.

High-Strength Porcelain Veneering of Zirconia Prosthetic Mimetic Restorations (PRIMERO) by Cognitive Design and Manufacturing

Esthetic prosthetic restorations, with natural reflection, color from within and color gradients influenced by the internal dentinal core anatomy can best be accomplished by veneered zirconia, rather than with crowns of color and structure graded monolithic zirconia. Concern about the high incidence of chipping with some of the porcelains for zirconia substructures has led to a massive shift from veneered zirconia to the use of monolithic zirconia for crowns and bridges. Because zirconia has four times the hardness of metal, initial concern about antagonist abrasion could with numerous studies be negated. Clinical long-term effects of lack of abrasion of full zirconia crowns, in comparison with 30-75 μm/year for surrounding and opposing dentition is still poorly documented. Massive crack formation in enamel probes has been reported in specimens after in-vitro fatigue testing with opposing monolithic zirconia. In-vitro and clinical studies have shown that only reinforcement of the structure of veneering material can prevent chipping. This article compares the fatigue behavior of three-unit bridges with a substructure of Primero zirconia veneered with Primero Enamel (PR) with bridges with Cercon Base zirconia inner-structure veneered with Ceramco PFZ and Cercon Ceram S (CR1 and CR2) and assess the possibilities and increase their scope to cognitive design and manufacturing of porcelain veneered zirconia crowns and bridges. Fatigue testing of four times eight 3-unit bridges were produced for each of the three porcelains and a reference. The results show that efficient crack-stopping prevented chipping with the PR bridges, while the bridges with conventional porcelains CR1 and CR2, showed failures. We conclude that chipping is mainly porcelain related. Cognitive design and fabrication of the dentin zirconia core will lead to prosthetic mimetic restorations (PRIMERO) with natural esthetics.