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Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus spp.) are prominent sessile organisms inhabiting hermatypic corals in tropical and sub-tropical reefs. Until recently, most of the larger Spirobranchus species were considered to be in obligatory associations with live hermatypic corals. However, recent studies indicate that some Spirobranchus species can build tubes on artificial substrate as well and that others may show preferences for using specific species of corals and hydrozoans as substrates. In the present study, we conducted a survey of Spirobranchus spp. substrate preference in the Gulf of Eilat. We found seven morphotaxa of Spirobranchus, of which two may be a single new species. We show that Spirobranchus taxa differ not only in their morphology, but also in their substrate use. Our results demonstrate that the ecological niche of Spirobranchus is species-specific, and a putative innate preference exists for some substrates.

A newly established population of the fouling polychaete Spirobranchus cf. tetraceros is reported from the western Mediterranean (Valencia Port). Despite previous intensive surveys, this is the first record for the taxon in the Iberian Peninsula. Molecular analyses revealed that S. cf. tetraceros from Valencia are genetically identical to specimens from Heraklion, Crete, but different from those collected in the Red Sea and S. tetraceros sensu stricto from the type locality in Australia. Mediterranean and Red Sea S. cf. tetraceros form a well-supported monophyletic clade but are clearly distinct from New South Wales specimens of S. tetraceros. Our new molecular evidence supports the hypothesis that S. tetraceros is not a global invader of Australian origin but rather a large species complex in need of a comprehensive worldwide revision. These results highlight the importance of integrative taxonomic research for species with reported global distributions because these taxa may include cryptic invaders. An illustrated morphological account of the Valencia and Heraklion specimens and a taxonomic key for Spirobranchus species in the Mediterranean Sea are provided.

The space between people, or interpersonal distance, creates and defines the dynamics of social interactions. Given that invasion of one's interpersonal space may trigger threat and anxiety, a critical question is if high vulnerability to social anxiety (SA) is associated with avoidance and attentional biases when anticipating invasion to one's interpersonal space. Therefore, the current study sought to examine the behavioral mechanisms, time course and neural correlates underlying the threat of interpersonal distance invasion with a focus on different SA levels, using both a behavioral and an ERP experiment. Preferred interpersonal distance was assessed using a paradigm that involves responding to different virtual protagonists (friend or stranger) approaching the participant by indicating where one would like the protagonist to stop. In addition, participants' level of social anxiety was measured. The behavioral experiment indicated that levels of SA predicted one's preferred interpersonal distance such that higher SA individuals preferred further distance from a stranger. At the neural level, across groups, early (N1) but not late (LPP) differences were found between stranger and friend conditions. Importantly, SA individuals were characterized by attenuated early ERP responses, suggesting less attentional resources allocated to social stimuli. The results suggest that high SA individuals feel discomfort earlier than others in social engagement, which may lead them to stand further away, thus creating less communicative social interactions. •We examined behavioral and neural mechanisms underlying interpersonal distance.•Social anxiety level was highly correlated with preferred interpersonal distance.•Socially anxious individuals were characterized by attenuated early ERP responses.•Early N1 differences were also found between stranger and friend protagonists.•Results suggest differences in attentional resources invested in social situations.

Purpose The optimal revisional bariatric surgery procedure following a previous failed gastric band surgery is yet to be determined. The aim of our study was to compare single- and two-stage laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) in terms of short- and mid-term outcomes. Materials and Methods Patients who underwent LSG after a failed LAGB in Israel during 2014–2017 were included. Data were obtained from the Israeli National Bariatric Surgery Registry. Data analyzed included comorbidities, postoperative complications, and anthropometric outcomes. Results Of 595 patients included in the data analysis, 381 (64%) underwent one-stage and 214 (36%) had two-stage LSG. No differences were observed between the groups in complication rates (5.0 vs. 5.1%, p =0.93). Percent of total weight loss was lower following one-stage than two-stage procedure at both 6 months (19.3±9.3 vs. 21.5±8.1%; p =0.02) and 1 year postoperative (24.9±10.4 vs. 27.8±9.9%; p =0.02). No difference was observed in the percent excess weight loss (51 vs. 56%; p =0.34 and 66 vs. 72%; p =0.38, at 6 months and 12 months postoperative, respectively). In a regression analysis, percent excess weight loss was greater in the two-stage procedure ( p =0.02), with no difference in the complication rates ( p =0.98). Conclusion Single-step LSG had a similar safety profile as two-stage LSG following a failed LAGB. Better weight loss was seen following two-stage LSG. Further prospective studies should investigate long-term follow-up after one- and two-stage procedure.

Background and Aims Empathy improves clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and adherence to treatment. Few studies have explored the real-world use of large language models in conveying empathy. We compared the empathy in emergency department (ED) discharge letters written by GPT-4 and physicians. Methods We conducted a retrospective, blinded, comparative study in a tertiary ED. All patients discharged for one 8-h shift were included. For each patient, we compared the original ED discharge letter to a GPT-4 generated letter. GPT-4 generated the letters using ED notes, excluding the original discharge letter. Seventeen evaluators (seven physicians, five nurses, five patients) compared the letters side by side. They were blinded to the source. Evaluators first chose between the AI and human letters. Then they rated each letter for empathy, overall quality, clarity of summary, and clarity of recommendations using a 5-point Likert scale. Results Evaluators preferred GPT-4 over physician letters in 83.7% of comparisons (1009 vs. 197; p < 0.001). GPT-4 letters received higher scores for empathy (median 4.0 vs. 3.0; p < 0.001), overall quality, and clarity of summary across all evaluator groups. Among patients, no significant difference was found in the clarity of recommendations (p = 0.771). Qualitative analysis showed that GPT-4's empathetic expressions, though sometimes generic, were perceived as effective. Conclusion GPT-4 shows strong potential in generating empathetic ED discharge letters. These letters are preferred by healthcare professionals and patients. GPT-4 offers a promising tool to reduce the workload of ED physicians. Further research is necessary to explore patient perceptions and best practices for integrating AI with physicians in clinical practice.

Introduction Typically, humans place themselves at a preferred distance from others. This distance is known to characterize human spatial behavior. Here, we focused on neurocognitive conditions that may affect interpersonal distances. The current study investigated whether neurocognitive deficiencies in numerical and spatial knowledge may affect social perception and modulate personal space. Method In an event‐related potential (ERP) study, university students with developmental dyscalculia (DD) and typically developing control participants were given a computerized version of the comfortable interpersonal distance task, in which participants were instructed to press the spacebar when they began to feel uncomfortable by the approach of a virtual protagonist. Results Results showed that students with deficiencies in numerical and spatial skills (i.e., DD) demonstrated reduced variability in their preferred distance from an approaching friend. Importantly, DD showed decreased amplitude of the N1 wave in the friend condition. Conclusion These results suggest that people coping with deficiencies in spatial cognition have a less efficient allocation of spatial attention in the service of processing personal distances. Accordingly, the study highlights the fundamental role of spatial neurocognition in organizing social space. We found that even this seemingly resilient group of young adults with dyscalculia who are enrolled in university display abnormal neuro‐physiological functioning suggestive of a less efficient allocation of spatial attention in the service of processing distances in everyday activities. This deficient attention mechanism leads to abnormal choices of preferred distance from others, mainly from friends, which may have an effect on reciprocal social behavior.