Climate change is expected to reshape species distributions in arid and semi-arid regions through changes in temperature and water availability. We modelled the present and future climatic suitability of the Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) across North African drylands and adjacent Mediterranean transition zones using ecological niche modelling. Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) were filtered to obtain 112 high-quality presence records. Models were calibrated with the maxnet implementation of the maximum entropy algorithm within the biogeographically defined calibration area (M) and projected using the MIROC6 climate model under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 for mid-century (2041-2060) and late-century (2061-2080). Model performance was acceptable (validation AUC = 0.669; CBI = 0.923). Climatic suitability currently forms a broad belt across North African drylands, with highest suitability in southern tropical and subhumid sectors. Future projections indicate a 14.0-19.0% contraction of climatically suitable area within the calibration area (M), with declines across parts of the hyper-arid Sahara and persistence or localized increases in southern and transitional regions. These results indicate climate-driven contraction and spatial reorganization of climatically suitable conditions along existing aridity gradients, providing a regional framework for biosecurity, environmental management, and surveillance of human-mediated introductions.
Most EEG dementia classifiers rely on absolute feature magnitudes. We assessed whether pairwise relative-ordering methods, widely used in omics, support compact, interpretable EEG classifiers. We analysed eyes-closed (EC) and eyes-open with photic stimulation (EO/photo) recordings from the same Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and cognitively normal (CN) OpenNeuro cohort (N = 88). Top Scoring Pair and k-Top Scoring Pair models were evaluated against standard machine-learning classifiers and fixed EEG-ratio controls across amplitude-decile and PSD/bandpower representations using repeated subject-wise cross-validation with training-fold-only model selection. Spectral representations most consistently supported relative-ordering models. Across six prespecified disease-versus-control task-condition settings, the main k-TSP models were broadly competitive with the strongest setting-specific standard machine-learning comparators (macro-F1 differences-0.030 to +0.035). Age and sex were examined in complementary sensitivity analyses; results were moderately sensitive to demographic adjustment, whereas repeated matching produced no consistent directional loss. In regional spectral models, slow-fast restriction gave positive macro-F1 point differences in all six settings (mean +0.029), whereas removing slow-fast or theta-alpha candidates gave lower macro-F1 point estimates in all six. Participant-level permutation localised the strongest recurrence evidence at the level of broader prespecified spectral-regional patterns (motifs): these motifs exceeded corrected nulls in specific AD-related settings, although no individual exact pair did so. In a limited no-refit test on the independent ADSZ dataset (AD versus healthy controls), AD-versus-CN-trained k-TSP models reached balanced accuracy up to 0.846. These results support compact relative-ordering models as a transparent complement and favour interpretation at the broader spectral-regional-pattern level rather than from individual recurrent pairs.
Background: Muscle mass and strength influence bone and respiratory health in children, yet measuring muscle mass is costly and time-consuming. The body mass-to-waist ratio (BM/W) is a simple anthropometric parameter that may predict muscle mass. Objective: This study examined the relationships between BM/W, muscle and bone mass, handgrip strength (HGS), and pulmonary function in children. Methods and Procedures: In this cross-sectional study, 189 children aged 7 to 8 years were analyzed according to sex-specific BM/W quartiles. Differences across quartiles were tested by one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc. Multiple regression analyses, stratified by sex and adjusted for height, were performed. Pulmonary function was assessed in a subsample of 133 children. Results: Children in the lowest BM/W quartile showed the lowest muscle (-17%) and bone mass (-25%), HGS (-29%), height-indexed HGS (-21%), FVC (-22%) and FEV1 (-20%) (all P < 0.001), accounting for 73.7% of dynapenia cases. In multivariate models, BM/W was independently associated with muscle mass in both sexes; the association with strength was most robust for height-indexed HGS (P < 0.001), while that with absolute HGS was attenuated after adjusting for height. Pulmonary function was explained by body size, height being the dominant correlate. Conclusion: BM/W is positively associated with muscle mass and strength in school-aged children; lowest-quartile children also show lower bone mass and pulmonary function. Low BM/W may indicate the need for early screening and targeted exercise interventions, especially with low handgrip strength, to prevent functional decline.
Freshwater fish invasions are major drivers of global ecological change, disrupting native biodiversity and ecosystem functions. However, many invasive fish hold significant socioeconomic value, resulting in conflict over their management. Centrarchidae, which are globally distributed and are important for sportfishing and aquaculture, are now potentially becoming a global threat. Yet, no comprehensive appraisal exists across taxa and regions integrating taxonomy, pathways, impacts and risk analysis for Centrarchidae. To address these gaps, we compiled published literature and leveraged publicly available databases to critically evaluate the current global status of non-native Centrarchidae, finding 30 species established outside their native ranges with 17 being outside of North America. Largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) and pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) are the most widely introduced centrarchids. Reported impacts of Centrarchidae introduction are mostly ecological, with predation, competition, hybridisation, and disease transmission as major mechanisms. Conversely, socio-economic and cultural effects are underreported. Currently, only ten species have undergone rapid risk screening, with 90% flagged as high risk. However, risk analyses remain sparse, confounded by taxonomic uncertainties (including hybridisation) and context dependence of impacts. With the changing climate and other anthropogenic disturbances in freshwaters, habitat suitability is expanding for centrarchids. Although concerning, Centrarchidae form a highly human-mediated invasion complex with predictable pathways and tractable leverage points, so limiting propagule pressure and standardizing assessments can curb their future spread while informing balanced and evidence-based fisheries policy that reconciles socioeconomic benefits with environmental costs.
We explore how nonreligious tourists cocreate meaningful experiences at religious heritage sites, focusing on the Royal Mosque of Isfahan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Iran. Adopting a tourist-centered and constructivist approach, this research investigates how individuals who do not engage in institutional religious practice nevertheless experience cognitive, emotional, and spiritual engagement within sacred spaces. Using a qualitative design and grounded theory methodology, data were collected through semistructured interviews and direct observations. The analysis identified seven experiential dimensions that shape visitors' cocreated experiences: (1) pull-push motivations, (2) prior knowledge and planning, (3) interaction with physical settings, (4) presence of people, (5) self-directed cocreation, (6) personal activity and participation, and (7) peace and place attachment. The findings suggest that visitors actively personalize experiences through introspection, solitude, and aesthetic-spiritual immersion, rather than religious devotion or ritual practice. The study offers practical recommendations for tourism managers and heritage site planners, advocating for visitor-centered design that supports autonomy, emotional resonance, and reflective engagement. By examining the experiential agency of nonreligious tourists this research contributes to a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of contemporary religious tourism.
