Royal Society Open Science

Abstract Autonomous systems increasingly require moral judgement capabilities, yet whether these capabilities scale predictably with model size remains unexplored. We systematically evaluate 75 large language model (LLM) configurations (0.27–1000B parameters) using the moral machine framework, measuring alignment with human preferences in life–death dilemmas. We observe a consistent power-law rel…

Abstract With the gradual advancement of various application technologies of terahertz waves, efficient absorption and shielding have become essential research priorities. Metasurface absorbers offer significant advantages, such as customizable frequency bands and multifunctional integration. This article presents a novel all-silicon metasurface designed for optically tunable and ultra-broadband …

Abstract Pure and Ni-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple co-precipitation method for malachite green (MG) dye removal. Structural and compositional analyses (scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) confirmed the successful incorporation of Ni2+ into the ZnO lattice, resulting in a morpholog…

Abstract TATA-box binding protein-associated factor 1 (TAF1) is the largest component of transcription factor IID, a fundamental multi-protein complex for RNA polymerase II-mediated transcription. TAF1 is essential for promoter recognition, coactivator interaction and normal development. Mutations in TAF1 cause developmental disorders and the lethal neurodegenerative disease X-linked dystonia-Par…

Abstract The chemical recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) via glycolysis is a promising pathway for the circular economy; however, it often requires harsh conditions or expensive catalysts. This study investigates the depolymerization of waste PET using ethylene glycol (EG) mediated by a deep eutectic solvent (DES) synthesized from zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn(OAc)2·2H2O) and urea. The fo…

Abstract The biogeography of host–pathogen interactions shapes disease dynamics by influencing pathogen presence, host susceptibility and environmental factors. This study investigates the genetic diversity of the protist Labyrinthula in eelgrass (Zostera marina) ecosystems, a model for host–pathogen research. Labyrinthula zosterae (Lz), the pathogen responsible for eelgrass wasting disease, caus…

Abstract One benefit for prey species living in groups is that predators find it harder to track and target individuals as aggregation size (or density) increases. While this ‘confusion effect’ is known to increase with factors such as object similarity and motion unpredictability, occlusion has received little empirical attention. This is despite the likelihood of a predator’s view of a target b…

Abstract Social relationships and environmental disturbances both shape health and survival, yet the immune processes linking sociality to health remain poorly understood, particularly in populations experiencing ecological disruption. Here, we examine how social relationships, demographic factors and environmental disturbance relate to variation in white blood cell (leukocyte) composition in fre…

Abstract Sensitivity to social contingency refers to an individual’s capacity to recognize when changes in sensory stimulation depend on another person’s movement. Developmental and interactive approaches to social cognition propose that this capacity is not only an individual achievement but is also shaped by social interaction. The perceptual crossing experiment (PCE) of haptically mediated int…

Abstract This study presents a coupled behavioural–epidemiological framework that integrates an extended susceptible–infected–recovered–susceptible model with evolutionary game theory to analyse timing-based vaccination strategies, specifically pre-infection and post-recovery vaccination. Key findings show that pre-infection vaccination is crucial for immediate transmission control while post-rec…

Abstract Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are one of the most important animal species in comparative laterality research, especially for motor function. However, although paw preference in dogs may vary depending on the task, most studies assess motor laterality based on a single test, and even those using more than one task typically analyse them separately. Moreover, current approaches a…

Abstract The insect cuticle exoskeleton is among the most abundant and versatile biological structures. During ontogeny, the cuticle undergoes extensive modification, enabling insects to adapt to a wide range of ecological niches. In contrast, cuticular remodelling is generally thought to cease after adult emergence, raising the question of how mature insects respond to damage to their exoskeleto…

Abstract Injuries are a significant, recurring stressor across the lifespan. In species where injuries occur primarily from conspecific aggression, injury risk is expected to most affect those who are targeted for aggression or who are physically or socially disadvantaged. We test that assumption by examining patterns and predictors of injury in two longitudinal datasets comprising 955 injuries s…

Abstract This study presents the synthesis, structural characterization and magnetic properties of a one-dimensional coordination polymer composed of copper(II) chloride and 1H-1,2,4-triazole. Crystals of the coordination polymer were synthesized in hydrochloric acid at room temperature. Single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals an array of copper atoms bridged by two chloride ions and a triazole …

Abstract Research suggests an open-access citation advantage, in which open-access articles are associated with greater citations compared to articles behind paywalls. In this paper, we examined whether publicly accessible articles are associated with increased citations in the field of special education. We reviewed 1678 articles in 43 special education journals published in 2022 and identified …

Abstract The dynamics of speciation and extinction shape biodiversity over time. The Red Queen hypothesis attributes these dynamics to biotic factors, whereas the Court Jester hypothesis emphasizes abiotic drivers. We investigated how past environmental changes influenced ants (Formicidae) diversification using maximum-likelihood diversification models. We tested whether speciation and/or extinct…

Abstract The antibacterial activity of magnetite-based nanocomposites synthesized by electron beam physical vapour deposition (EB PVD) was investigated. The phase, elemental and size composition of the synthesized nanoparticles were confirmed by scanning, transmission, X-ray and dynamic laser spectroscopy methods. The resulting EB PVD magnetite ligand-free nanoparticles (10.7 nm) were stabilized …

Abstract A heteroleptic titanium(IV) complex, [N,N′-ethylene-bis(3-methoxysalicylaldimine)(4-methylphenolate)titanium(IV)], was synthesized through the reaction of two distinct chelating ligands with titanium tetra-isopropoxide. The complex crystallized in the non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic space group Fdd2, with its bulk purity confirmed via powder X-ray diffraction. Characterization was perfo…

Abstract Detecting mass extinction events from phylogenies is a fundamental yet challenging task. While traditional likelihood-based methods are available, deep learning offers a powerful, simulation-based alternative. Here, we evaluate a deep learning approach using a novel hybrid model that combines graph neural networks with long short-term memory networks. This model analyses phylogenies—cont…

Abstract Bactrocera dorsalis is a major horticultural pest. Biocontrol using parasitoids, such as Fopius arisanus, is a sustainable tool for managing this pest. However, the mechanisms enabling the successful parasitism of B. dorsalis are poorly understood. Using transcriptomic profiling, cellular bioassays, and targeted metabolite analyses, we investigated how F. arisanus modulates the immunity …