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Field-to-susceptibility inversion in quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is ill-posed and needs numerical stabilization through either regularization or oversampling by acquiring data at three or more object orientations. Calculation Of Susceptibility through Multiple Orientations Sampling (COSMOS) is an established oversampling approach and regarded as QSM gold standard. It achieves a well-conditioned inverse problem, requiring rotations by 0°, 60° and 120° in the yz -plane. However, this is impractical in vivo , where head rotations are typically restricted to a range of ±25°. Non-ideal sampling degrades the conditioning with residual streaking artifacts whose mitigation needs further regularization. Moreover, susceptibility anisotropy in white matter is not considered in the COSMOS model, which may introduce additional bias. The current work presents a thorough investigation of these effects in primate brain. Gradient-recalled echo (GRE) data of an entire fixed chimpanzee brain were acquired at 7 T (350 μm resolution, 10 orientations) including ideal COSMOS sampling and realistic rotations in vivo. Comparisons of the results included ideal COSMOS, in-vivo feasible acquisitions with 3–8 orientations and single-orientation iLSQR QSM. In-vivo feasible and optimal COSMOS yielded high-quality susceptibility maps with increased SNR resulting from averaging multiple acquisitions. COSMOS reconstructions from non-ideal rotations about a single axis required additional L2-regularization to mitigate residual streaking artifacts. In view of unconsidered anisotropy effects, added complexity of the reconstruction, and the general challenge of multi-orientation acquisitions, advantages of sub-optimal COSMOS schemes over regularized single-orientation QSM appear limited in in-vivo settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sudan Ebola virus can cause severe viral disease, with an average case fatality rate of 54%. A recent outbreak of Sudan Ebola virus in Uganda caused 55 deaths among 164 confirmed cases in the second half of 2022. Although vaccines and therapeutics specific for Zaire Ebola virus have been approved for use during outbreak situations, Sudan Ebola virus is an antigenically distinct virus with no approved vaccines available. In this phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation trial we evaluated the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a monovalent chimpanzee adenovirus 3 vaccine against Sudan Ebola virus (cAd3-EBO S) at Makerere University Walter Reed Project in Kampala, Uganda. Study participants were recruited from the Kampala metropolitan area using International Review Board-approved written and electronic media explaining the trial intervention. Healthy adults without previous receipt of Ebola, Marburg, or cAd3 vectored-vaccines were enrolled to receive cAd3-EBO S at either 1 × 1010 or 1 × 1011 particle units (PU) in a single intramuscular vaccination and were followed up for 48 weeks. Primary safety and tolerability endpoints were assessed in all vaccine recipients by reactogenicity for the first 7 days, adverse events for the first 28 days, and serious adverse events throughout the study. Secondary immunogenicity endpoints included evaluation of binding antibody and T-cell responses against the Sudan Ebola virus glycoprotein, and neutralising antibody responses against the cAd3 vector at 4 weeks after vaccination. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04041570 , and is completed. 40 healthy adults were enrolled between July 22 and Oct 1, 2019, with 20 receiving 1 × 1010 PU and 20 receiving 1 × 1011 PU of cAd3-EBO S. 38 (95%) participants completed all follow-up visits. The cAd3-EBO S vaccine was well tolerated with no severe adverse events. The most common reactogenicity symptoms were pain or tenderness at the injection site (34 [85%] of 40), fatigue (29 [73%] of 40), and headache (26 [65%] of 40), and were mild to moderate in severity. Positive responses for glycoprotein-specific binding antibodies were induced by 2 weeks in 31 (78%) participants, increased to 34 (85%) participants by 4 weeks, and persisted to 48 weeks in 31 (82%) participants. Most participants developed glycoprotein-specific T-cell responses (20 [59%, 95% CI 41–75] of 34; six participants were removed from the T cell analysis after failing quality control parameters) by 4 weeks after vaccination, and neutralising titres against the cAd3 vector were also increased from baseline (90% inhibitory concentration of 47, 95% CI 30–73) to 4 weeks after vaccination (196, 125–308). The cAd3-EBO S vaccine was safe at both doses, rapidly inducing immune responses in most participants after a single injection. The rapid onset and durability of the vaccine-induced antibodies make this vaccine a strong candidate for emergency deployment in Sudan Ebola virus outbreaks. National Institutes of Health via interagency agreement with Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language and action have adjacent, but distinct localizations in the human brain within Broca's region, with language recruiting an anterior part Brodmann area (BA) 44 and action recruiting posterior part of BA 44. In humans, Broca's area, and in particular the cytoarchitectonically defined BA 44, shows an anterior expansion when compared to chimpanzees. The expansion of Broca's area in humans compared to non-human primates provides additional cortical space for the human-specific function of language. The question concerning the evolution of language is directly linked to the debate on whether language and action are dependent or not and to what extent Broca's region serves as a common neural basis. The debate resulted in two opposing views, one arguing for and one against the dependence of language and action mainly based on neuroscientific data. This article presents an evolutionary neuroanatomical framework which may offer a solution to this dispute. It is proposed that in humans, Broca's region houses language and action independently in spatially separated subregions. This became possible due to an evolutionary expansion of Broca's region in the human brain, which was not paralleled by a similar expansion in the chimpanzee's brain, providing additional space needed for the neural representation of language in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HARs can effectively regulate the abundance of some gut microbes. The relative abundance of HAR-regulated gut microbes has changed rapidly during human evolution. HAR-regulated gut microbes are associated with several human-specific diseases (cognitive disorders and nervous system diseases). The gut microbiota may represent a vital link between genome evolution and human disease. A large number of studies have established a causal relationship between the gut microbiota and human disease. In addition, the composition of the microbiota is substantially influenced by the human genome. Modern medical research has confirmed that the pathogenesis of various diseases is closely related to evolutionary events in the human genome. Specific regions of the human genome known as human accelerated regions (HARs) have evolved rapidly over several million years since humans diverged from a common ancestor with chimpanzees, and HARs have been found to be involved in some human-specific diseases. Furthermore, the HAR-regulated gut microbiota has undergone rapid changes during human evolution. We propose that the gut microbiota may serve as an important mediator linking diseases to human genome evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Elderly chimpanzees show regional cortical thinning compared to younger individuals. • Elderly chimpanzees show greater rightward asymmetries compared to younger apes. • Age-related differences in cognition were associated with loss in cortical thickness. Humans and chimpanzees are genetically similar and share a number of life history, behavioral, cognitive and neuroanatomical similarities. Notwithstanding, our understanding of age-related changes in cognitive and motor functions in chimpanzees remains largely unstudied despite recent evident demonstrating that chimpanzees exhibit many of the same neuropathological features of Alzheimer's disease observed in human postmortem brains. Here, we examined age-related differences in cognition and cortical thickness measured from magnetic resonance images in a sample of 215 chimpanzees ranging in age between 9 and 54 years. We found that chimpanzees showed global and region-specific thinning of cortex with increasing age. Further, within the elderly cohort, chimpanzees that performed better than average had thicker cortex in frontal, temporal and parietal regions compared to chimpanzees that performed worse than average. Independent of age, we also found sex differences in cortical thickness in 4 brain regions. Males had higher adjusted cortical thickness scores for the caudal anterior cingulate, rostral anterior cingulate, and medial orbital frontal while females had higher values for the inferior parietal cortex. We found no evidence that increasing age nor sex was associated with asymmetries in cortical thickness. Moreover, age-related differences in cognitive function were only weakly associated with asymmetries in cortical thickness. In summary, as has been reported in humans and other primates, elderly chimpanzees show thinner cortex and variation in cortical thickness is associated with general cognitive functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An efficient optimization technique, dubbed the Chimp Optimization Algorithm (ChOA), for estimating the model parameters of solar networks. • The proposed ChOA outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of convergence rate, global search capacity, and durability. • To demonstrate the algorithm's efficiency, ChOA is used to determine the parameters of several photovoltaic modules and solar cells. • The performance of the algorithm has been evaluated in a practical application for parameter evaluation of three widely-utilized commercial modules. • The results confirm the proposed algorithm's robustness and high performance. The global shift toward solar energy has resulted in the advancement of research into the manufacture of high-performance solar cells. It is critical to accurately model and identify the parameters of solar cells. Numerous models of solar cells have been presented thus far, including the single-diode, the double-diode, and the three-diode models. Every model contains a number of unidentified parameters, and numerous approaches for determining their optimal values have been published in the literature. The purpose of this article is to propose an efficient optimization technique, dubbed the Chimp Optimization Algorithm (ChOA), for estimating the model parameters of solar networks. The proposed ChOA outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of convergence rate, global search capacity, and durability. To demonstrate the proposed ChOA algorithm's efficiency, it is used to determine the parameters of several photovoltaic modules and solar cells. The result of ChOA is evaluated and compared with ten well-known optimization algorithms in the literature. Additionally, the performance of the ChOA algorithm has been evaluated in a practical application for parameter evaluation of three widely-utilized commercial modules, i.e., multi-crystalline (KC200GT), polycrystalline (SW255), and monocrystalline (SM55), under a variety of temperature and irradiance circumstances that result in alterations in the photovoltaic model's parameters. The results confirm the proposed algorithm's robustness and high performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal welfare research has increased dramatically in scope and prevalence, spanning zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and research facilities. Chimpanzees are the most common and well-studied great ape living in human care. This considerable focus on chimpanzee welfare provides the foundation for a timely review of new and relevant research from multiple facility types housing captive chimpanzees. We reviewed and prioritized six key areas of chimpanzee care and management including available space, social life, enrichment, diet, nesting, and human-animal relationships, and discuss their predictive relationship, if any, to chimpanzee welfare. Our review shows that social companionship remains unequivocally valuable for chimpanzee welfare as does enrichment, and the novelty, choice, and control that it offers. Individual differences in chimpanzee preferences and personalities underscore the emerging importance of providing choices to chimpanzees in our care to help support positive welfare. Areas that revealed a gap in our knowledge and require more inquiry include the absolute amount of space necessary for social and spatial autonomy, the nutritional needs of chimpanzees, sensory enrichment, and how chimpanzees' relationship with their caretakers can be best structured (or unstructured) to support good welfare. Overall, there are a range of factors important for chimpanzee welfare and although more research is needed, there is the potential for an evidence-based tool leveraging the available research to ensure the best possible care is provided for this highly social and cognitively advanced species. • Chimpanzees are the most common and well-studied great apes living in human care. • We review how animal management decisions influence captive chimpanzee welfare. • Social companionship and enrichment are distinctly valuable for chimpanzee welfare. • Gaps persist in understanding space, diet, and human-animal effects. • There is enough information for a care-based tool to guide management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though, Software Defined Networks (SDN) have exposed greater advantages in a lot of aspects, still the issue related to load balancing (LB) exists like poor performance, efficiency, load imbalance, resource management etc. Diverse methods are performed to resolve this problem; nevertheless, the schemes are found as a challenging one in solving this issue in an optimal manner. Henceforth, this work adopts a new LB strategy with optimization algorithm. The steps followed in this model are (i) Load balancing detection (ii) Switch Migration. Switch migration is done to move the overloaded machines to underloaded ones when the load has been balanced. Here, factors like migration efficiency and migration cost are taken into account while determining the best distribution of work among machines. For this, a new Blue Monkey Updated Chimp Optimization Algorithm (BMU-COA) is introduced that combines the models like blue monkey optimization (BMO) and chimp optimization algorithm (CO).At last, the developed model compared with the certain measures like migration efficiency, migration cost, convergence and fitness. And, the developed model attains higher migration efficiency at 0.186492, less migration cost at 5.362167, and total fitness at0.135873 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the availability of effective preventative vaccines and potent small-molecule antiviral drugs, effective non-toxic prophylactic and therapeutic measures are still lacking for many viruses. The use of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies in an antiviral context could fill this gap and provide effective virus-specific medical interventions. In order to develop these therapeutic antibodies, preclinical animal models are of utmost importance. Due to the variability in viral pathogenesis, immunity and overall characteristics, the most representative animal model for human viral infection differs between virus species. Therefore, throughout the years researchers sought to find the ideal preclinical animal model for each virus. The most used animal models in preclinical research include rodents (mice, ferrets, ...) and non-human primates (macaques, chimpanzee, ....). Currently, antibodies are tested for antiviral efficacy against a variety of viruses including different hepatitis viruses, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and rabies virus. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge about the preclinical animal models that are used for the evaluation of therapeutic antibodies for the abovementioned viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strength of human society can largely be attributed to the tendency to work together to achieve outcomes that are not possible alone. Effective social coordination benefits from mentally representing a partner's actions. Specifically, humans optimize social coordination by forming internal action models adapted to joint rather than individual task demands. To what extent do humans share the cognitive mechanisms that support optimal human coordination and collaboration with other species? An ecologically inspired joint handover-to-retrieve task was systematically manipulated across several experiments to assess whether joint action planning in chimpanzees reflects similar patterns to humans. Chimpanzees' chosen handover locations shifted towards the location of the experimenter's free or unobstructed hand, suggesting they represent the constraints of the joint task even though their individual half of the task was unobstructed. These findings indicate that chimpanzees and humans may share common cognitive mechanisms or predispositions that support joint action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A niching concept is inspired to enhance the original ChOA. • RN-ChOA proposes a novel constraint handling technique. • The RN-ChOA is applied to estimate parameters on the SM55, SW255, and KC200GT. • RN-ChOA is compared with ten well-known algorithms. Researchers are becoming increasingly interested in studying how to accurately estimate the parameters of solar PV models. In this regard, this paper proposes a newly proposed nature-inspired technique named chimp optimization algorithm (ChOA) to create accurate and dependable PV models, such as single diode, double diodes, three diodes, and PV module models. In the PV models' parameters estimation using optimization algorithms, two significant concerns need to be addressed: classifying various local/global optima and preserving these optimum values until the termination. Since ChOA is a general optimizer, it lacks an operator to address the two issues mentioned above. In order to address the mentioned problems, this paper embeds the niching technique in ChOA that includes the personal best qualities of PSO and a local search technique. In addition, a novel constraint handling approach is utilized to ensure that the algorithm is robust in tackling PV Models' parameters estimation constraints. The outcome of RN-ChOA is evaluated using seven well-known optimization algorithms, including the whippy Harris hawks optimization algorithm (WHHOA), performance-guided JAYA (PGJAYA), enriched Harris hawks optimization algorithm (EHHOA), improved JAYA (IJAYA), birds mating optimizer (BMO), flexible particle swarm optimization algorithm (FPSO), chaotic biogeography-based optimizer (CBBO), and generalized oppositional teaching-learning algorithm (GOTLA), as well as dynamic Levy flight ChOA (DLF-ChOA) and weighted ChOA (WChOA) as the most recent modified version of ChOA. Furthermore, the performance of the RN-ChOA method has been assessed in a practical application for parameter evaluation of three widely-used commercial modules, namely, multi-crystalline (KC200GT), polycrystalline (SW255), and mono-crystalline (SM55), under a variety of temperature and irradiance conditions that cause changes in the photovoltaic model's parameters. The findings demonstrate the robustness and excellent performance of the suggested approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Face detection (FD) is considered to be of utmost significance in monitoring and safety systems. Finding concealed faces is a crucial research issue, particularly in populated or high-security settings like events and retail stores, where they may pose a security danger. To bridge this gap, a Light Spectrum Chimp Optimization (LSCO) enabled SpinalNet is introduced for live face detection and recognition. At first, an input image is fed up into the pre-processing phase to enhance the contrast image and remove the unwanted noises utilizing the Type 2 Fuzzy and Cuckoo Search (T2FCS) filter. Thereafter, the face is detected utilizing Viola-Jones which classifies the images based on the simple feature values to accurately identify and analyze human faces. Moreover, the detected image is passed to the feature extraction to acquire the face component features like eyes, nose, mouth, etc from the human face image. Here, the features employed are Local Directional Pattern Variance (LDPv), Local Directional Number Pattern (LDNP), Local Gabor Binary Pattern (LGBP) and statistical features like, mean, variance, kurtosis, skewness, and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) features. At last, face recognition is accomplished by the proposed LSCO which is tuned by SpinalNet. Here, LSCO is the integration of Light Spectrum Optimizer (LSO) and Chimp optimization (ChOA). The suggested technique has produced accuracy, True positive rate (TPR), True Negative rate (TNR) and execution time obtained 93.5%, 90.7%, 87.5% and 0.236 sec respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the escalating energy demand by proposing a market-based model for decentralized operation in a multi-microgrid system, aiming to enhance power distribution efficiency and reliability. Microgrids, small-scale electrical networks, exchange energy among themselves, storage systems, load collectors, and the upstream distribution network. The system encompasses uncontrollable and controllable generation units and loads. Leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) technology and cloud infrastructure, the communication structure facilitates data measurement, processing, and exchange of technical and financial information. Each microgrid, storage system, and load collector operates independently to maximize benefits by participating in the future market. The proposed model is simulated under various scenarios, and the results are systematically analyzed. To validate the model's performance, alterations in fuel cost and solar radiation intensity values are implemented, and simulation results are scrutinized. The model acknowledges interdependence and connectivity between microgrids and employs a chimpanzee optimization algorithm inspired by chimpanzee social behavior. This algorithm effectively tackles complex optimization problems by simulating the cooperative behavior of a group of chimpanzees, where each individual represents a potential solution. The numerical results show that Microgrid 1 achieves a 100% success rate in maintaining uninterrupted loads with cost-effective power. Microgrid 2 strategically preserves a 100% success rate for priority 1 load but faces occasional challenges, leading to limited load shedding. Microgrid 3 achieves an 80% success rate in keeping priority 1 load uninterrupted, adapting to market conditions. • Decentralized Optimization: Novel approach enhances energy management, distributed optimization in multi-microgrids. • IoT Integration: Real-time data sharing, responsive energy management, efficiency through IoT technology. • Chimpanzee Algorithm: Solving complex challenges in multi-microgrid systems with this unique optimization. • Flexibility & Reliability: Decentralized optimization, IoT, and chimpanzee algorithm for efficient energy management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract concepts are a powerful tool for making wide-ranging predictions in new situations based on little experience. Whereas looking-time studies suggest an early emergence of this ability in human infancy, other paradigms like the relational match to sample task often fail to detect abstract concepts until late preschool years. Similarly, non-human animals show difficulties and often succeed only after long training regimes. Given the considerable influence of slight task modifications, the conclusiveness of these findings for the development and phylogenetic distribution of abstract reasoning is debated. Here, we tested the abilities of 3 to 5-year-old children, chimpanzees, and capuchin monkeys in a unified and more ecologically valid task design based on the concept of "overhypotheses" (Goodman, 1955). Participants sampled high- and low-valued items from containers that either each offered items of uniform value or a mix of high- and low-valued items. In a test situation, participants should switch away earlier from a container offering low-valued items when they learned that, in general, items within a container are of the same type, but should stay longer if they formed the overhypothesis that containers bear a mix of types. We compared each species' performance to the predictions of a probabilistic hierarchical Bayesian model forming overhypotheses at a first and second level of abstraction, adapted to each species' reward preferences. Children and, to a more limited extent, chimpanzees demonstrated their sensitivity to abstract patterns in the evidence. In contrast, capuchin monkeys did not exhibit conclusive evidence for the ability of abstract knowledge formation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cognitive processes driving multimodal communication can be studied profitably as an interaction between minds first and then brains. • A Modular Cognition Framework analysis applies a biological approach to the mind viewed as a collaborative network of domain-specific systems different but compatible with neural architecture. • Processing always combines general cognitive and domain-specific principles. • Similarities in gestures used humans and by chimpanzees call into question some qualitative distinctions between the two primates but such questions can be answered. • Non-verbal, multimodal communication in humans is also influenced by linguistic processing. • The central player in all human multimodal communication is the conceptual system distinguishing humans both quantitatively and qualitatively from other primates. Much attention has been paid to ways in which different categories of individual combine different modalities to communicate meanings to others. One major challenge that remains is to gain a deeper understanding of the cognitive processing responsible for the simultaneous deployment and integration of various different resources during multimodal communication. In response to this challenge, a Modular Cognition Framework analysis will be applied to the question of how people communicate using all the resources at their disposal. The discussion will include relevant features of this framework. Then research into similarities between humans and chimpanzee communication will be discussed followed by a comparison between verbal and non- verbal communication and a consideration of a distinct but similar approach. Emphasis will be placed on the role of meaning and on synergies between the conceptual system and the two systems responsible for linguistic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the agreement of two noninvasive blood pressure devices: a human device with the cuff placed on the wrist (Omron R1) and a veterinary device with the cuff placed on the upper brachium (Surgivet Advisor Vital Signs Monitor) with invasive blood pressure (IBP) measurement in anaesthetized chimpanzees. Prospective clinical study. A convenience sample of 11 adult chimpanzees undergoing anaesthesia for translocation and routine health checks. Systolic (SAP) and diastolic arterial pressures (DAP) were continuously recorded via a transducer connected to a femoral artery cannula, and at 5 minute intervals from the two oscillometric devices. Agreement was explored using Bland-Altman analysis and bias defined as the mean difference between the two measurement methods. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Bias and standard deviation for the Surgivet compared with IBP were 8.6 ± 18 for SAP and 8.4 ± 9.9 for DAP, showing a significant underestimation of both variables. Limits of agreement (LOA) were from –27 to 44 for SAP and from –11 to 28 for DAP. Correlation coefficients between the Surgivet and IBP values were 0.86 for SAP and 0.85 for DAP (p < 0.0001). Bias and standard deviation for the Omron compared with the IBP were –21 ± 25 for SAP and –18 ± 15 for DAP, showing a significant overestimation of both variables. LOA were from –70 to –28 for SAP and from –47 to 11 for DAP. Spearman correlation coefficients between the Omron and IBP values were 0.64 for SAP and 0.72 for DAP (p < 0.0001). Although neither device met all the criteria for device validation, the Surgivet presented better agreement with IBP values than the Omron in adult anaesthetized chimpanzees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A solar dish/Stirling power plant was modeled using artificial intelligence models. • A hybrid random vector functional link (RVFL) models were developed. • Four meta -heuristic optimizers were used to find the optimum structure of RVFL. • A chimp optimization algorithm (CHOA) was declared as the best optimizer. • Several statistical tools were used to assess the accuracy of the proposed models. • RVFL-CHOA had a superior accuracy in predicting the electrical power of the plant. Hybrid artificial intelligence models have become promising tools for soft computing and computational intelligence, as they can deal with complicated sustainable systems such as the prediction modeling of concentrated power systems. In these models, one or two artificial intelligence techniques are integrated with an optimization algorithm to develop a fine-tuned prediction modeling. In this paper, we develop a novel hybrid prediction model using an improved version of the Random Vector Functional Link (RVFL) network to predict the instantaneous output power and the monthly power production of a solar dish/Stirling power plant (SDSPP). A new metaheuristic algorithm called Chimp Optimization Algorithm (CHOA) has been combined with the RVFL network to effectively determine the optimal values of RVFL parameters. More so, the proposed RVFL-CHOA model is compared with four artificial-based models include the original RVFL, and three hybrid modified versions of the RVFL model using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Spherical Search Optimization (SSO), and Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA). The prediction performance of the five models was compared using various statistical evaluation metrics. The statistical results prove the superiority and effectiveness of the proposed RFVL-CHOA method among the other investigated optimized models for performance prediction of the SDSPP. Based on the test data, the REVL-CHOA predicts the instantaneous output power and the monthly power production of the SDSPP with determination coefficient values of 0.9992, and 0.9108, and root mean square error values of about 0.00047, and 0.05995, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) data acquisition protocols are well-established on modern high-field clinical scanners for human studies. However, these protocols are not suitable for the chimpanzee (or other large-brained mammals) because of its substantial difference in head geometry and brain volume compared with humans. Therefore, an optimal dMRI data acquisition protocol dedicated to chimpanzee neuroimaging is needed. A multi-shot (4 segments) double spin-echo echo-planar imaging (MS-EPI) sequence and a single-shot double spin-echo EPI (SS-EPI) sequence were optimized separately for in vivo dMRI data acquisition of chimpanzees using a clinical 3T scanner. Correction for severe susceptibility-induced image distortion and signal drop-off of the chimpanzee brain was performed and evaluated using FSL software. DTI indices in different brain regions and probabilistic tractography were compared. A separate DTI data set from n =34 chimpanzees (13 to 56 years old) was collected using the optimal protocol. Age-related changes in diffusivity indices of optic nerve fibers were evaluated. The SS-EPI sequence acquired dMRI data of the chimpanzee brain with approximately doubled the SNR as the MS-EPI sequence given the same scan time. The quality of white matter fiber tracking from the SS-EPI data was much higher than that from MS-EPI data. However, quantitative analysis of DTI indices showed no difference in most ROIs between the SS-EPI and MS-EPI sequences. The progressive evolution of diffusivity indices of optic nerves indicated mild changes in fiber bundles of chimpanzees aged 40 years and above. The single-shot EPI-based acquisition protocol provided better image quality of dMRI for chimpanzee brains and is recommended for in vivo dMRI study or clinical diagnosis of chimpanzees (or other large animals) using a clinical scanner. Also, the tendency of FA decrease or diffusivity increase in the optic nerve of aged chimpanzees was seen but did not show significant age-related changes, suggesting aging may have less impact on optic nerve fiber integrity of chimpanzees, in contrast to previous results for both macaque monkeys and humans. • High quality diffusion MRI images of chimpanzee brains were obtained at a clinical 3T. • Fiber tracking showed higher dependence on image quality than diffusivity indices. • Aging has little effects on optic nerve fiber bundles of chimpanzee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• VAMPhyRE orders the human mtDNA according to its corresponding haplogroup. • VAMPhyRE does not manage reference sequences for the assignment of mtDNA. • The virtual genomic fingerprints of mtDNA are unique and specific. • Virtual genomic hybridization method shows 97.25 of accuracy to classify the mtDNA. In the present study, we evaluated the ability of the Virtual Analysis Method for Phylogenomic fingerprint Estimation (VAMPhyRE) toolkit to classify human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups. In total, 357 random mtDNA sequences were obtained from different haplogroups, based on the classification of PhyloTree. Additionally, we included a control group of five sequences (Pan paniscus , Pan troglodytes , Homo sapiens neanderthalensis , Yoruba15, and the revised Cambridge reference sequence). VAMPhyRE employs a virtual hybridization technique, using probes that specifically bind to their complementary sequences in the genome. We used 65,536 probes of 8 nucleotides to identify potential sites where hybridization occurs between the mtDNA and the specific probe, forming different heteroduplexes and thus, creating a unique and specific genomic fingerprint for each sequence. Genomic fingerprints were compared, and a table of distances was calculated to obtain a mitochondrial phylogenomic tree with the macrohaplogroups, L, N, M, and R, and their corresponding haplogroups, according to universal nomenclature. The results obtained suggest an accuracy of 97.25% for the distribution of the 357 mtDNA sequences in the four macrohaplogroups and their corresponding haplogroups when compared with other mtDNA classification tools that require reference sequences and do not offer an analysis based on an evolutionary approach. These data are available online at http://biomedbiotec.encb.ipn.mx/VAMPhyRE/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious bronchitis (IB) is an acute and highly contagious disease caused by avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), resulting in significant economic losses in the global poultry industry. In this study, we utilized a replication-incompetent adenovirus vector derived from chimpanzees for the first time to express the S gene of IBV. The adenovirus was successfully rescued and demonstrated convenient production, good growth performance, and stability on HEK293 A cells. Morphologically, the recombinant adenovirus (named PAD-S) appeared normal under transmission electron microscopy, and efficient expression of the exogenous gene was confirmed through immunofluorescence analysis and immunoblotting. Administration of PAD-S via ocular and nasal routes induced a strong immune response in the chicken population, as evidenced by specific antibody and cytokine measurements. PAD-S was unable to replicate within chickens and showed low pre-existing immunity, demonstrating high safety and environmental friendliness. The robust immune response triggered by PAD-S immunization effectively suppressed viral replication in various tissues, alleviating clinical symptoms and tissue damage, thus providing complete protection against viral challenges in the chicken population. In conclusion, this study successfully developed an IBV candidate vaccine strain that possesses biosafety, high protective efficacy, and ease of production. • The use of chimpanzee adenovirus as a vector in the development of IBV vaccine for the first time. • PAD-S is easy to produce, store, and promote, and it is less prone to recombination between different strains. • PAD-S provides highly effective protection in multiple organs, reduces viral load in tissues, and effectively inhibits IBV replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious bronchitis (IB) is an acute and highly contagious disease caused by avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), resulting in significant economic losses in the global poultry industry. In this study, we utilized a replication-incompetent adenovirus vector derived from chimpanzees for the first time to express the S gene of IBV. The adenovirus was successfully rescued and demonstrated convenient production, good growth performance, and stability on HEK293 A cells. Morphologically, the recombinant adenovirus (named PAD-S) appeared normal under transmission electron microscopy, and efficient expression of the exogenous gene was confirmed through immunofluorescence analysis and immunoblotting. Administration of PAD-S via ocular and nasal routes induced a strong immune response in the chicken population, as evidenced by specific antibody and cytokine measurements. PAD-S was unable to replicate within chickens and showed low pre-existing immunity, demonstrating high safety and environmental friendliness. The robust immune response triggered by PAD-S immunization effectively suppressed viral replication in various tissues, alleviating clinical symptoms and tissue damage, thus providing complete protection against viral challenges in the chicken population. In conclusion, this study successfully developed an IBV candidate vaccine strain that possesses biosafety, high protective efficacy, and ease of production. • The use of chimpanzee adenovirus as a vector in the development of IBV vaccine for the first time. • PAD-S is easy to produce, store, and promote, and it is less prone to recombination between different strains. • PAD-S provides highly effective protection in multiple organs, reduces viral load in tissues, and effectively inhibits IBV replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the large 2013-16 Ebola virus outbreak caused by the Zaire Ebola virus, about 20% of cases were reported in children. This study is the first, to our knowledge, to evaluate an Ebola vaccine in children younger than 6 years. We aimed to evaluate the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of a monovalent, recombinant, chimpanzee adenovirus type-3 vectored Zaire Ebola glycoprotein vaccine (ChAd3-EBO-Z) in a paediatric population.Methods: This phase 2, randomised, observer-blind, controlled trial was done in a vaccine centre in Mali and a university hospital centre in Senegal. Healthy children were randomly assigned through a web-based system (1:1; stratified by age group, gender, and centre) to receive ChAd3-EBO-Z (day 0) and meningococcal serogroups A,C,W-135,Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT; month 6), or MenACWY-TT (day 0) and ChAd3-EBO-Z (month 6). The study was observer-blind from study start until interim day 30 analysis and became single-blind as of interim analysis. Primary outcomes assessed were serious adverse events (up to study end, month 12), solicited local or general adverse events (7 days post-vaccination), unsolicited adverse events (30 days post-vaccination), haematological or biochemical abnormalities, and clinical symptoms of thrombocytopenia (day 0-6). As secondary endpoints, we evaluated anti-glycoprotein Zaire Ebola virus antibody titres (ELISA) pre-vaccination and 30 days post-vaccination. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02548078.Findings: From Nov 11, 2015, to May 9, 2016, of 776 children screened for eligibility, 600 were randomly assigned (200 [33%] in each age strata: 1-5, 6-12, 13-17 years), 300 (50%) to the ChAd3-EBO-Z/MenACWY-TT group and 300 (50%) to the MenACWY-TT/ChAd3-EBO-Z group; all were included in the total vaccinated cohort. Post-day 0 vaccination, the most common solicited injection site symptom was pain (127 [42%] of 300 in the ChAd3-EBO-Z/MenACWY-TT group vs 60 [20%] of 300 in the MenACWY-TT/ChAd3-EBO-Z group); the most common solicited general adverse event was fever (95 [32%] of 300 in the ChAd3-EBO-Z/MenACWY-TT group vs 28 [9%] of 300 in the MenACWY-TT/ChAd3-EBO-Z group). Unsolicited adverse events post-day 0 vaccination were reported by 41 (14%) of 300 participants in the ChAd3-EBO-Z/MenACWY-TT group and 24 (8%) of 300 MenACWY-TT/ChAd3-EBO-Z recipients. Serious adverse events were reported for two (1%) of 300 children in each group; none were considered vaccination related. No clinical symptoms of thrombocytopenia were reported. At day 30, anti-glycoprotein Ebola virus antibody geometric mean concentrations (GMC) in the ChAd3-EBO-Z/MenACWY-TT group were 1564 (95% CI 1340-1826) for those aged 13-17 years, 1395 (1175-1655) for 6-12 years, and 2406 (1942-2979) for 1-5 years. Anti-glycoprotein Ebola virus IgG antibody responses persisted up to 12 months post-vaccination, with a GMC of 716 (95% CI 619-828) for those aged 13-17 years, 752 (645-876) for 6-12 years, and 1424 (1119-1814) for 1-5 years.Interpretation: ChAd3-EBO-Z was immunogenic and well tolerated in children aged 1-17 years. This study provides the first ChAd3-EBO-Z data in a paediatric population. Further development should focus on multivalent approaches including Sudan and Marburg strains, and heterologous prime-boost strategies, for instance using modified vaccinia Ankara-based vaccine to boost the immune response.Funding: EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 2014 Zaire Ebola virus disease epidemic accelerated vaccine development for the virus. We aimed to assess the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of one dose of monovalent, recombinant, chimpanzee adenovirus type-3 vectored Zaire Ebola glycoprotein vaccine (ChAd3-EBO-Z) in adults.Methods: This phase 2, randomised, observer-blind, controlled trial was done in study centres in Cameroon, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal. Healthy adults (≥18 years) were randomly assigned with a web-based system (1:1; minimisation procedure accounting for age, gender, centre) to receive ChAd3-EBO-Z (day 0), or saline placebo (day 0) and ChAd3-EBO-Z (month 6). The study was observer-blind until planned interim day 30 analysis, single-blind until month 6, and open-label after month 6 vaccination. Primary outcomes assessed in the total vaccinated cohort, which comprised all participants with at least one study dose administration documented, were serious adverse events (up to study end, month 12); and for a subcohort were solicited local or general adverse events (7 days post-vaccination), unsolicited adverse events (30 days post-vaccination), haematological or biochemical abnormalities, and clinical symptoms of thrombocytopenia (day 0-6). Secondary endpoints (subcohort; per-protocol cohort) evaluated anti-glycoprotein Ebola virus antibody titres (ELISA) pre-vaccination and 30 days post-vaccination. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02485301.Findings: Between July 22, 2015, and Dec 10, 2015, 3030 adults were randomly assigned; 3013 were included in the total vaccinated cohort (1509 [50·1%] in the ChAd3-EBO-Z group and 1504 [49·9%] in the placebo/ChAd3-EBO-Z group), 17 were excluded because no vaccine was administered. The most common solicited injection site symptom was pain (356 [48%] of 748 in the ChAd3-EBO-Z group vs 57 [8%] of 751 in the placebo/ChAd3-EBO-Z group); the most common solicited general adverse event was headache (345 [46%] in the ChAd3-EBO-Z group vs 136 [18%] in the placebo/ChAd3-EBO-Z group). Unsolicited adverse events were reported by 123 (16%) of 749 in the ChAd3-EBO-Z group and 119 (16%) of 751 in the placebo/ChAd3-EBO-Z group. Serious adverse events were reported for 11 (1%) of 1509 adults in the ChAd3-EBO-Z group, and 18 (1%) of 1504 in the placebo/ChAd3-EBO-Z group; none were considered vaccination-related. No clinically meaningful thrombocytopenia was reported. At day 30, anti-glycoprotein Ebola virus antibody geometric mean concentration was 900 (95% CI 824-983) in the ChAd3-EBO-Z group. There were no treatment-related deaths.Interpretation: ChAd3-EBO-Z was immunogenic and well tolerated in adults. Our findings provide a strong basis for future development steps, which should concentrate on multivalent approaches (including Sudan and Marburg strains). Additionally, prime-boost approaches should be a focus with a ChAd3-based vaccine for priming and boosted by a modified vaccinia Ankara-based vaccine.Funding: EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actualistic studies have been commonly used as valid analogies in taphonomic research and, as the growing body of data demonstrate, have proved to be highly informative to explain the formation of terrestrial vertebrate fossil faunas. In Rosell et al. (2019), we conducted an experimental study with free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) with the aim of modeling their behavior and characterizing the bone damage caused on large, medium and small-sized ungulate carcasses. The purpose of the study was to highlight the equifinality processes observed experimentally based on the assumption that " some carnivores show physical and dental characteristics that could lead to bone modifications potentially like those generated by humans " (Rosell et al., 2019, p.67). In the case of bears, their " bunodont dentition and plantigrade locomotion –the latter allows them to frequently release and use their claws as ' hands '"– have led to the production of peeling and tooth marks that show important similarities with those generated during the feeding activities of humans and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), although anecdotally also made by other taphonomic agents. Saladié and Rodríguez-Hidalgo (2019) interpret our study as an attempt to invalidate their inferences about human tooth marks from the TD6.2 level of Gran Dolina (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain), even though we do not make any archaeological application. We also clearly maintain that ours is an initial and merely descriptive study that aims to raise awareness of the existence of taphonomic equifinality phenomena between bears and humans. The present work intends, therefore, to respond to their criticisms about the contexts in which humans and bears produce peeling as well as about the methodology used for assessing the tooth mark measurements. We have tried to read positively the Saladié and Rodríguez-Hidalgo's (2019) paper in order to make progress in the main challenge of finding elements and features that allow us to discriminate bone alterations potentially attributable to more than one taphonomic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'attraction que l'Afrique préhistorique continue d'exercer sur les actuelles générations de chercheurs nous vaut cet ouvrage aux résultats stimulants, agréablement édités et présentés par les Prs. Sur le matériel faunique du site d'Aïn Boucherit, voisin d'El Kerba, des traces de percussion et d'incision observées par M. Sahnouni, ont été étudiées par L. Caceres et ses collègues. Ces résultats établis selon une même approche méthodologique par L. Caceres et ses collègues impliquent une exploitation en relation avec la découpe et l'extraction de moelle. [Extracted from the article]

• We evince a widespread circulation of T. gondii in nonhuman primates in zoos in Spain. • Family Hominidae and sex were risk factors associated with seropositivity to T. gondii. • Results are of conservation concern, as several non-human primate species are highly susceptible to T. gondii. Toxoplasma gondii is a widely distributed zoonotic protozoan parasite, which can affect most warm-blooded species. Some species of non-human primates (NHPs) are highly susceptible to T. gondii infection. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in NHPs housed in zoos in Spain. Sera from 189 NHPs belonging to 33 species were collected in eight zoos. Additionally, 10 of the 189 animals were longitudinally sampled. Anti- T. gondii antibodies were detected in 48 NHPs (25.4%; confidence interval of 95% (CI 95%): 19.2–31.6) using a modified agglutination test (MAT; cut-off = 25). Seropositive animals had titers of 25 (6.3%), 50 (8.3%), 100 (8.3%) and ≥500 (68.8%). Seropositivity was detected in 15 of the 33 species (45.5%). Of the 10 NHPs sampled more than once, two animals (one Barbary macaque [ Macaca sylvanus ] and one common chimpanzee [ Pan toglodytes ]) seroconverted along the study period, while one seropositive chimpanzee increased antibody titers over time. The Hominidae family (OR = 5.9; CI 95% : 2.7–12.8) and sex (females) (OR = 2.1; CI 95% : 1.1–4.1) were risk factors potentially associated with seropositivity to T. gondii. Our results evince a widespread circulation of T. gondii in NHPs in zoos in Spain, which may be of conservation concern. Control measures should be implemented to minimize the risk of exposure of these species to T. gondii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• G x AGG loop in the bottom part of DIS hairpin is conserved in HIV-1 and SIVcpz/gor genomes. • DIS and truncated Psi, but not SD hairpin, are conserved in HIV-1 of rare groups and SIVcpz/gor genomes. • DIS subdomains in genomes from SIVcpz/gor and monkey SIVs have some common structural elements. • HIV-2 genomes of all subtypes have sequences of a putative 5′ G-quadruplex. We investigated in silico the secondary structure of the region encompassing DIS, SD and Psi hairpins in HIV-1 genomes of rare groups N, O and P, HIV-2 genomes and SIV genomes from chimpanzees, gorillas and monkeys. We found that the structure of this region in SIVcpz ptt genomes of the 1st and the 2nd clusters is similar to that in HIV-1 genomes of groups M and N, respectively. Further, the structure of the region encompassing DIS, SD and Psi hairpins is similar in HIV-1 genomes of groups O and P and SIVgor genomes. Here we report that the DIS hairpin and truncated Psi hairpin are conserved in all HIV-1 and SIVcpz/gor genomes studied, while only the sequence of the splice donor site, but not the architecture of the SD hairpin involving this signal is conserved in HIV-1N/O/P and SIVcpz/gor genomes. A study on the 5′ leader structure in genomes of 28 different SIV lineages infecting monkeys showed that the domain closed by U5-AUG duplex can form in all these genomes. This domain mainly consists of 2 subdomains, one of which includes the signal PBS (PBS subdomain) and another contains a putative DIS hairpin (DIS subdomain). DIS subdomains contain 1–8 hairpins. None of them is similar to those in HIV-1 or SIVcpz/gor genomes. The palindrome GUGCAC was found only in SIVdrl/mnd-2, the GACGC-GCGUC duplex (Sakuragi et al., 2012) – only in SIVrcm/drl/mnd-2 and a putative 5′ G-quadruplex – in SIVdeb/drl/rcm/stm genomes. In genomes of eight SIV lineages, DIS hairpin has palindrome UGCGCA. Studies on the 5′ leader in 64 HIV-2 genomes of different subtypes showed, in particular, that this region has sequences of a putative 5′ G-quadruplex and a putative duplex similar to the GACGC-GCGUC duplex. The secondary structures of the region encompassing DIS, SD and Psi hairpins in HIV-2 genomes of subtype B and recombinant 01_AB are similar and differ from that in genomes of subtype A. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questionnaires based on human models can be used to reliably assess personality also in non-human primates. In this study, we used an adapted version of Eysenck's Psychoticism-Extraversion-Neuroticism (PEN) model that focuses on three higher-order personality traits. Extending previous work on a small group of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), we tested 37 chimpanzees housed at Fundació Mona (Girona, Spain) and the Leipzig Zoo (Germany). We assessed personality with a 12-item questionnaire, which raters scored using a 7-point Likert scale. To identify the personality traits, we conducted data reduction with Principal Components Analysis and Robust Unweighted Least Squares. The ICCs for the single (3, 1) and average (3, k) ratings indicated substantial agreement between raters. Parallel analyses identified two factors to retain, whereas the scree plot inspection and eigenvalues larger than one rule identified three factors. Factor 1 and 2 in our study were identical to the ones previously described for this species (labelled Extraversion and Neuropsychoticism, respectively) and we also obtained a third factor that could be related to Dominance (Fearless Dominance). Thus, our results confirm the potential of the PEN model to describe chimpanzee personality structure. • Eysenck´s PEN model is an effective way to reliably assess chimpanzee personality. • Principal Component Analysis and Robust Unweighted Least Squares factor analysis revealed 3 factors. • The factors were labelled Extraversion, Neuropsychoticism and Fearless Dominance. • Neuropsychoticism included aspects of human Neuroticism and Psychoticism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate prediction of wind speed plays a very important role in the stable operation of wind power plants. In this study, the goal is to establish a hybrid wind speed prediction model based on Time Varying Filtering based Empirical Mode Decomposition (TVFEMD), Fuzzy Entropy (FE), Partial Autocorrelation Function (PACF), improved Chimp Optimization Algorithm (IChOA) and Bi-directional Gated Recurrent Unit (BiGRU). Firstly, the original wind speed data was decomposed by TVFEMD to obtain modal components, and FE aggregation is used to decrease the computational complexity. Secondly, the components are processed by PACF to extract important input features. Thirdly, the BiGRU parameters are optimized using IChOA which is an improved version of ChOA. Finally, the optimized BiGRU is used to predict the decomposed components, and the predicted components are summed to obtain the final prediction result. In this experiment, the proposed model is used to predict the data of four months of a year from Station 46,060 of National Data Buoy Center, and the performance of eight benchmark models is analyzed. Experimental results show that TVFEMD and PACF can improve the prediction accuracy of the model. IChOA is feasible to optimize the parameters of BiGRU and can improve the prediction performance. • The original wind speed data was decomposed by TVFEMD to obtain IMFs and RES. • IMFs and RES are feature extracted using PACF to improve information utilization. • ChOA is improved by chaotic initialization and ranking mechanism optimization. • IChOA is adopted to optimize the parameters of BiGRU and predict the outcome. • The proposed model can predict the wind speed time series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Intergroup encounters, but not border patrols, show cortisol reactivity in chimpanzees. • Degree of out-group risk and hostility influence cortisol, but not oxytocin reactivity. • Evident oxytocin reactivity during intergroup conflict is not influenced by stressor exposure. • Independent oxytocin and cortisol secretion patterns oppose some predictions of the 'social salience hypothesis'. The oxytocinergic system is involved in a range of functions, from attachment and social bonding to aggression and stress responses. Whether oxytocin is released in response to a stressor, shows contradictory results across species and potential contexts-dependent differences. To avoid unintended contextual changes due to experimental procedures, we tested this question non-invasively in wild chimpanzees in an ecologically valid context. We collected endogenous hormonal measures during exposure to a known natural stressor, intergroup conflict. Specifically, we tested for potential synchronous activation patterns between urinary oxytocin and cortisol in male and female chimpanzees during stressor exposure. Oxytocinergic system reactivity during chimpanzee intergroup conflict has already been established in this study population. Thus, we first investigated urinary cortisol levels during border patrol and intergroup encounter days, in comparison to another potential stressor, hunting, and control days. We found higher urinary cortisol levels during intergroup encounter days compared with control and hunting days. We then compared secretion patterns of oxytocin and cortisol in relation to increased levels of out-group contact and hostility ('out-group risk') during intergroup conflict. We found that increased 'out-group risk' was associated with higher cortisol levels, especially when involving direct visual or physical contact with rival groups. Although urinary oxytocin levels were high across intergroup conflict contexts, increasing levels of out-group risk showed no significant variation. Taken together, results indicate independent secretion of oxytocin and cortisol during chimpanzee intergroup conflict, emphasizing that stressor exposure in this context is not the main trigger of oxytocin secretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different agents can lead to similar damage patterns, and different causes can result in the same type of modification. This phenomenon was defined by Lyman (1987) as a problem of equifinality, with which the researcher warned about the risks of making direct systematic correlations. The fact that a specific type of damage cannot be linked to a single actor, behaviour or ecological context is primarily applicable to damage associated with the direct consumption of carcasses. Some carnivores show physical and dental characteristics that could lead to bone modifications potentially like those generated by humans. For example, bears have a bunodont dentition and plantigrade locomotion –the latter allows them to frequently release and use their claws as "hands". Here, we present the neo-taphonomical study of 17 ungulate carcasses eaten by wild brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) in the Spanish Pyrenees. Our observations express this equifinal problem due to the similarities between tooth marks and peeling generated by both bears and humans. This fact is especially significant, given that peeling and the combination of this damage with visible tooth marks were primarily associated with the feeding activities of humans and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and only anecdotally with other taphonomic agents, such as spotted hyenas. With this research, we try to show some equifinal phenomena that could occur in Pleistocene faunal assemblages as well, where the presence of both hominids and bears is documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though sometimes controversial, there is growing consensus that human general intelligence is associated with variation in a number of aspects of cortical organization including brain volume, white and gray matter volume, connectivity, and cortical thickness. Recent studies in great apes have shown, like humans, they exhibit both general and domain specific forms of intelligence when tested on a wide range of cognitive tests; however, whether individual variation in intelligence is associated with measures of cortical organization remains untested. Here we show that general intelligence in chimpanzees is associated with total brain volume, total gray matter volume, mean cortical thickness and regional variation in both gray matter volume and cortical thickness. These results suggest that increased gray matter volume and cortical thickness may produce enhanced computational cognitive processes and may have been selected for during primate brain evolution. • Chimpanzee general intelligence positively correlated with overall brain size, gray matter volume and cortical thickness • Vertex based analyses revealed significant associations between chimpanzee intelligence and cortical thickness • Region of interest analysis showed positive associations between chimpanzee intelligence and various cortical regions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sharing environments with humans is linked to heightened stress responses in many wildlife species. In Uganda, deforestation for agriculture has increased competitive interactions between chimpanzees and villagers. To investigate whether this situation is 'stressful' for chimpanzees we compared faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGCM) concentrations in chimpanzees within an unprotected agricultural landscape and in a nearby protected forest with minimal disturbance. We further examined if changes in diet quality, including crop consumption (a proxy for chimpanzee–villager interactions) and sexually receptive females influenced glucocorticoid output in the 'village chimpanzee' population. Similar to findings from other species, FGCMs levels in the village chimpanzees were substantially higher than in chimpanzees in minimally-disturbed habitat. Within the village chimpanzees, overall fruit intake and number of sexually receptive females had a combined effect on elevating FGCM concentrations, probably through increasing social stress. However, crop consumption correlated negatively with FGCM levels, indicating crop feeding per se did not elevate glucocorticoid secretions (associated with increased interactions with humans), as suggested for some other mammals. Eating nutritionally-dense crops might instead buffer chimpanzees against energetic stress, enabling them to cope with consistent high exposure to anthropogenic stressors through moderating negative effects of glucocorticoids on the immune system. Our findings should nevertheless alert wildlife managers to potential detrimental impacts of human-induced stress on endangered mammals interacting frequently with rural farming communities. Initiatives offering villagers viable livelihood alternatives to deforestation, which increase their capacity to accommodate large mammals like great apes, alongside targeted education outreach, would help promote more peaceful, less 'stressful' coexistence. • Deforestation has increased interactions between chimpanzees and farmers in Uganda. • High exposure to human disturbance elevates stress hormone secretions in chimpanzees. • Energetic benefits of cultivated foods help chimpanzees cope with human-induced stress. • Conservation must facilitate more peaceful coexistence between villagers and apes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Higher behavioral diversity with participation in more behavioral studies over time. • No relationship between welfare and concurrent study participation. Voluntary participation in behavioural studies offers several scientific, management, and welfare benefits to non-human primates (NHPs). Aside from the scientific benefit of increased understanding of NHP cognition, sociality, and behaviour derived from noninvasive behavioural studies, participation itself has the potential to provide functional simulations of natural behaviours, enrichment opportunities, and increased control over the captive environment, all of which enhance welfare. Despite a developing consensus that voluntary participation offers these welfare enhancements, little research has empirically investigated the ways that participation in behavioural studies may affect welfare. In the current study, we investigated potential relationships between captive chimpanzee welfare and long-term, repeated voluntary participation in noninvasive behavioural studies. We collected behavioural data on 118 chimpanzees at the National Center for Chimpanzee Care (NCCC) in Bastrop, Texas, USA between 2016 and 2018 using 15-minute focal animal samples. Additionally, we collected information on 41 behavioural studies conducted between 2010 and 2018 with the NCCC chimpanzees that involved exposure to a stimulus or manipulation. The total number of behavioural studies in which chimpanzees had participated over the approximately eight-year period was then examined in relation to levels of behavioural diversity, abnormal behaviour, rough scratching, inactivity, and locomotion using a series of regression analyses that controlled for rearing status and age of the chimpanzee at the time of data collection. Analyses revealed significant, positive relationships between the total number of studies in which chimpanzees participated and 1) behavioural diversity scores, R2 adj = 0.21, F (3,114) = 11.25, p < 0.001; and 2) rough scratching, R2 adj = 0.11, F (3,114) = 6.01, p = 0.001. The positive relationship between behavioural diversity scores and the total number of studies in which chimpanzees participated seems unsurprising, although we cannot draw conclusions about the directionality of this relationship. The result that rough scratching and the total number of studies in which chimpanzees participated were positively correlated is unexpected. However, rough scratching made up less than 1% of all activity in the current study, and as such, this result may not be biologically meaningful. These findings suggest that participation in behavioural studies is not likely to be detrimental to chimpanzee well-being, and may even be beneficial. Data such as these, which empirically investigate existing recommendations can help inform decisions pertaining to the participation of chimpanzees in behavioural research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) is one of the most abundant retrotransposons in the primate genomes and has contributed to their genome diversity and variations during the primate evolution. Among primate L1 subfamilies, L1Pt subfamilies include Pan troglodytes -specific L1s. L1Pt elements have been successfully expanded in the chimpanzee genome since the divergence of human and chimpanzee lineages. However, only a few full-length L1Pt copies were previously detected in the chimpanzee genome due to incomplete chimpanzee reference genome sequences at the time. In the present study, we aimed to identify chimpanzee-specific L1s using the most recent version of the chimpanzee reference genome (May 2016, panTro5). We identified a total of 3731 chimpanzee-specific L1s. This is much more than previously reported chimpanzee-specific L1 copies. Among these, 223 are full-length (>6 kb), and we annotated their subfamilies and examined their retrotransposition-competency. The result showed that there are two L1Pt subfamilies in the chimpanzee genome, and the nine structurally intact elements belong to L1Pt-1, L1Pt-2, and L1PA2 subfamilies. In addition, we found that the intact full-length L1 group showed significantly higher L1 expression level than the non-intact full-length L1 group using limited RNA-seq data. It is interesting to notice that the number of retrotransposition-competent elements is much less in the chimpanzee genome than that in the human genome. In conclusion, there is increasing evidence to indicate that chimpanzee-specific L1s have changed the chimpanzee genome, causing genomic difference from other primate genomes. Highlights • >3700 chimpanzee-specific L1s were identified in the chimpanzee genome. • Nine chimpanzee-specific L1s with intact ORFs were identified in panTro5 assembly. • Intact full-length L1 group showed a significantly higher L1 transcript level than non-intact full-length L1 group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Chimpanzees are not lateralized for the study non-communication tool-use. • Chimpanzees are right handed for intraspecific gestures involving a tool. • Manual laterality is mainly modulated by the type of activity, hierarchy and age. Abstract Understanding variations of apes' laterality between activities is a central issue when investigating the evolutionary origins of human hemispheric specialization of manual functions and language. We assessed laterality of 39 chimpanzees in a non-communication action similar to termite fishing that we compared with data on five frequent conspecific-directed gestures involving a tool previously exploited in the same subjects. We evaluated, first, population-level manual laterality for tool-use in non-communication actions; second, the influence of sociodemographic factors (age, sex, group, and hierarchy) on manual laterality in both non-communication actions and gestures. No significant right-hand bias at the population level was found for non-communication tool use, contrary to our previous findings for gestures involving a tool. A multifactorial analysis revealed that hierarchy and age particularly modulated manual laterality. Dominants and immatures were more right-handed when using a tool in gestures than in non-communication actions. On the contrary, subordinates, adolescents, young and mature adults as well as males were more right-handed when using a tool in non-communication actions than in gestures. Our findings support the hypothesis that some primate species may have a specific left-hemisphere processing gestures distinct from the cerebral system processing non-communication manual actions and to partly support the tool use hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Data on cognitive aging in chimpanzees are extremely sparse, yet can provide an invaluable phylogenetic perspective, especially because Alzheimer disease (AD)–like neuropathology has recently been described in the oldest chimpanzee brains. This finding underscores the importance of data on cognitive aging in this fellow hominin, our closest biological relative. We tested 30 female chimpanzees, 12–56 years old, on a computerized analog of the Wisconsin Card Sort test. This test assesses cognitive flexibility, which is severely impaired in normal aging and AD. Subjects selected stimuli according to color or shape; the rewarded dimension (i.e., color or shape) switched without warning and the chimpanzee had to adapt her responses accordingly. We found that increasing age was associated with an increased number of perseverative errors and an increased number of trials to reach criterion in each switching dimension. The number of aborted trials was similar across age groups. These data show that similar to humans, chimpanzees show a clear age-related decline in cognitive flexibility that is already observed at middle age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Early rearing conditions impact health, stress, and subjective well-being in adult chimpanzees. • Exposure to humans during infancy was identified as an important aspect of differential rearing. • Increased human exposure had a lasting impact on adult chimpanzee's orientation to and behavior with humans, but not on their social behavior with other chimpanzees. • Some abnormal behaviors differed in frequency between male and female adult chimpanzees. • Managing adult captive chimpanzees for their optimal welfare and well-being requires better understanding of the impacts of rearing, sex, and environment on individual chimpanzees. Abstract Scientific evaluation of management strategies for captive species is part of the establishment of best practices for animal welfare. Here we report the effects of sex, rearing, and a sex-by-rearing interaction on adult, captive chimpanzees' (Pan troglodytes) behavior, health, well-being, personality, and orientation towards humans based on multiple methods (observation, animal records, and surveys). Chimpanzees raised in three conditions, mother-reared (MR), standard nursery (ST) and an experimental nursery (RC), were assessed approximately 20 years after their differential rearing experiences concluded. Sex had a significant effect on behavior towards conspecifics (aggression [M > F]; affiliation [F > M]), on abnormal behavior (rocking [M > F]), and on likelihood of incurring at least one injury (between ages 6 and 10 [M > F]). Rearing condition had a significant impact on behavior towards humans (negative solicitation [RC = ST > MR = ST]; neutral behavior [RC > ST > MR], yawning (RC = ST > MR = ST), subjective well-being (MR = ST > RC = ST), and on GI illness frequency (RC > ST = MR). Sex interacted with rearing on aggression towards humans (for males, RC > MR = ST), frequency of upper respiratory infection (URI: for males RC > MR = ST)) and likelihood of at least one URI between the ages of 11 and 15 (RC males > ST males). Our findings support the conclusion that there are long-term effects of both early rearing and sex on captive adult chimpanzee welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective To characterize the cardiopulmonary characteristics of two different anaesthetic protocols (tiletamine/zolazepam ± medetomidine) and their suitability for the immobilization of healthy chimpanzees undergoing cardiac assessment. Study design Prospective, clinical, longitudinal study. Animals Six chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) aged 4–16 years weighing 19.5–78.5 kg were anaesthetized on two occasions. Methods Anaesthesia was induced with tiletamine/zolazepam (TZ) (3–4 mg kg–1) or tiletamine/zolazepam (2 mg kg–1) and medetomidine (0.02 mg kg–1) (TZM) via blow dart [intramuscular (IM)] and maintained with intermittent boluses of ketamine (IV) or zolazepam/tiletamine (IM) as required. The overall quality of the anaesthesia was quantified based on scores given for: quality of induction, degree of muscle relaxation and ease of intubation. The time to achieve a light plane of anaesthesia, number of supplemental boluses needed and recovery characteristics were also recorded. Chimpanzees were continuously monitored and heart rate (HR), pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (f R) oxygen saturation of haemoglobin (SpO 2), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), rectal temperature, mucous membrane colour and capillary refill time recorded. During the first procedure (TZ) animals underwent a 12-channel electrocardiogram (ECG), haematology, biochemistry and cardiac biomarker assessment to rule out the presence of pre-existing cardiovascular disease. A detailed echocardiographic examination was carried out by the same blinded observer during both procedures. Data were compared using Student's paired t -test or Wilcoxon rank tests as appropriate. Results There was a significant difference for the area under the curves between anaesthetic protocols for HR, SAP, MAP and f R. No significant differences in the echocardiographic measurements were evident. Quality of anaesthesia was significantly better with TZM and no additional boluses were required. The TZ protocol required multiple supplemental boluses. Conclusions and clinical relevance Both combinations are suitable for immobilization and cardiovascular evaluation of healthy chimpanzees. Further work is required to evaluate the effect of medetomidine in cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How we judge the similarity between objects in the world is connected ultimately to how we represent those objects. It has been argued extensively that object representations in humans are 'structured' in nature, meaning that both individual features and the relations between them can influence similarity. In contrast, popular models within comparative psychology assume that nonhuman species appreciate only surface-level, featural similarities. By applying psychological models of structural and featural similarity (from conjunctive feature models to Tversky's Contrast Model) to visual similarity judgements from adult humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas, we demonstrate a cross-species sensitivity to complex structural information, particularly for stimuli that combine colour and shape. These results shed new light on the representational complexity of nonhuman apes, and the fundamental limits of featural coding in explaining object representation and similarity, which emerge strikingly across both human and nonhuman species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans are unique among terrestrial mammals in our manner of walking and running, reflecting 7 to 8 Ma of musculoskeletal evolution since diverging with the genus Pan. One component of this is a shift in our skeletal muscle biology towards a predominance of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) I isoforms (i.e. slow fibers) across our pelvis and lower limbs, which distinguishes us from chimpanzees. Here, new MyHC data from 35 pelvis and hind limb muscles of a Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) are presented. These data are combined with a similar chimpanzee dataset to assess the MyHC I content of humans in comparison to African apes (chimpanzees and gorillas) and other terrestrial mammals. The responsiveness of human skeletal muscle to behavioral interventions is also compared to the human-African ape differential. Humans are distinct from African apes and among a small group of terrestrial mammals whose pelvis and lower limb muscle is slow fiber dominant, on average. Behavioral interventions, including immobilization, bed rest, spaceflight and exercise, can induce modest decreases and increases in human MyHC I content (i.e. -9.3% to 2.3%, n = 2033 subjects), but these shifts are much smaller than the mean human-African ape differential (i.e. 31%). Taken together, these results indicate muscle fiber content is likely an evolvable trait under selection in the hominin lineage. As such, we highlight potential targets of selection in the genome (e.g. regions that regulate MyHC content) that may play an important role in hominin skeletal muscle evolution. [Display omitted] • Gorilla muscle MyHC content is similar to chimpanzees and distinct from humans. • Human slow fiber content is distinct from African apes and most mammals. • Behavioral interventions (e.g. exercise) induce modest shifts in slow fiber content. • MyHC I content is an evolvable trait under selection within the hominin lineage. • MyHC genes are conserved in mammals so selection likely operates on enhancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Available COVID-19 vaccine only provide protection for a limited time due in part to the rapid emergence of viral variants with spike protein mutations, necessitating the generation of new vaccines to combat SARS-CoV-2. Two serologically distinct replication-defective chimpanzee-origin adenovirus (Ad) vectors (AdC) called AdC6 and AdC7 expressing early SARS-CoV-2 isolate spike (S) or nucleocapsid (N) proteins, the latter expressed as a fusion protein within herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D (gD), were tested individually or as a mixture in a hamster COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 challenge model. The S protein expressing AdC (AdC-S) vectors induced antibodies including those with neutralizing activity that in part cross-reacted with viral variants. Hamsters vaccinated with the AdC-S vectors were protected against serious disease and showed accelerated recovery upon SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Protection was enhanced if AdC-S vectors were given together with the AdC vaccines that expressed the gD N fusion protein (AdC-gDN). In contrast hamsters that just received the AdC-gDN vaccines showed only marginal lessening of symptoms compared to control animals. These results indicate that immune response to the N protein that is less variable than the S protein may potentiate and prolong protection achieved by the currently used S protein based genetic COVID-19 vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is little surviving evidence for plant use in the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic periods yet the evidence there is, clearly indicates the importance of plants in the diet, as medicines and as raw materials. Here, the current evidence for plants is summarised, and the way this can be used to enrich perceptions of the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic are explored. The evidence for plant food fits well with basic nutritional requirements while the presence of medicinal plants correlates with plant-based self-medication by animals. Many plant-based technologies are likely to have developed early in the Palaeolithic. Though investigating this is challenging due to a lack of evidence, the extensive evidence for use of plant materials as tools by chimpanzees provides a broad backdrop. The ecological knowledge carried by all hominins would have provided a safety net when moving into new regions, while varying levels of neophobia would have enabled adaptation to new environments as hominin populations moved and climates changed. Recent plant use among traditional societies in high latitudes shows that even in locations with reduced biodiversity, plant resources can fulfil essential dietary requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate perception of the emotional content of vocalisations is essential for successful social communication and interaction. However, it is not clear whether our ability to perceive emotional cues from vocal signals is specific to human signals, or can be applied to other species’ vocalisations. Here, we address this issue by evaluating the perception and neural response to affective vocalisations from different primate species (humans, chimpanzees and macaques). We found that the ability of human participants to discriminate emotional valence varied as a function of phylogenetic distance between species. Participants were most accurate at discriminating the emotional valence of human vocalisations, followed by chimpanzee vocalisations. They were, however, unable to accurately discriminate the valence of macaque vocalisations. Next, we used fMRI to compare human brain responses to human, chimpanzee and macaque vocalisations. We found that regions in the superior temporal lobe that are closely associated with the perception of complex auditory signals, showed a graded response to affective vocalisations from different species with the largest response to human vocalisations, an intermediate response to chimpanzees, and the smallest response to macaques. Together, these results suggest that neural correlates of differences in the perception of different primate affective vocalisations are found in auditory regions of the human brain and correspond to the phylogenetic distances between the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction of timber often conflicts with the well-being and conservation of wildlife. In particular, there is a need to better understand the impact of tree removal under selective logging regimes on local ecological communities. We conducted ape nest counts along line transects before, during, and after logging to assess the impact of timber harvesting and associated activities on sympatric chimpanzees and gorillas in a forestry concession in northern Republic of Congo. We used generalized linear models to relate ape nest counts to a set of predictor variables, representing the impact of logging and controlled for variation in environmental conditions including food availability, habitat and rainfall. Commercial forest inventory data were used to assess the baseline influence of food availability and forest structure on ape distribution. Higher numbers of chimpanzees were found in proximity to their preferred tree foods, whereas gorillas were associated with more heterogeneous habitats. Chimpanzee nest encounter rates decreased with increasing intensity of human impacts. Gorillas also avoided areas with active timber exploitation and roads, but were attracted to recently logged areas with abundant terrestrial herbaceous vegetation. Species-specific responses were consistent with theoretical predictions of niche partitioning and cumulative human influence. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations to improve existing guidelines and forest certification standards aimed at safeguarding ape populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]