Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The links between morphological parameters and benthic invertebrate assemblages, and general implications for hydromorphological river management

In the last decades, hydromorphological degradation of rivers has gained more attention in river management, stressing the importance of understanding the links between hydromorphology and aquatic assemblages. The present study investigated general patterns in the response of benthic invertebrate assemblages to single morphological features along naturally diversified Slovenian rivers. The whole gradient of local habitat quality (river habitat quality, RHQ) and habitat modification (river habitat modification, RHM) features, according to the Slovenian hydromorphological assessment method, was covered. Regional natural characteristics explained the low share of RHQ and RHM variability, indicating nonregional presence of morphological features. The analysis identified predominant flow and predominant channel substrate as the most important RHQ features. We found that in contrast to RHQ features, RHM features had low explanatory power. These results suggest a weaker response of benthic invertebrate assemblages to the physical alteration itself than to the effect that the alteration exerts on habitat quality features. Variance partitioning among three environmental variable groups revealed predominantly independent effects (69%) on benthic assemblages, mostly on account of regional natural characteristics (30%) and RHQ features (31%). As benthic invertebrate assemblages are adapted to the former natural conditions, a similar modification may result in different effects with regard to regional natural differences. Therefore, the low proportion of variability, explained by RHM features, might be the consequence of joint dataset from different regions. Our study gives general implications for river management, but in order to more clearly define the significance of particular modification features, we suggest further analysis within more homogeneously defined habitats that encompass regional natural characteristics. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controlling donor and newborn neuron migration and maturation in the eye through microenvironment engineering

Significance The “in silico–in vitro–in vivo” funnel holds significant potential for identifying targets to control cellular processes in research and clinical applications. In this report, we describe a framework for identifying, selecting, and applying chemokines to direct retinal neuron migration in vivo within the adult mouse retina. To reach a broader audience, we demonstrate this phenomenon using dissociated mouse and human stem cell–derived retinal neurons, retinal organoids, and endogenously reprogrammed retinal neurons. Last, we show that only neurons that migrate into their proper lamina after transplantation express mature cell markers, indicating the importance of driving structural integration for neuron transplantation.
Effects of irisin and exercise on adropin and betatrophin in a new metabolic syndrome model

ABSTRACT Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prevalent public health problem. Uric acid (UA) is increased by MetS. We investigated whether administration of UA and 10% fructose (F) would accelerate MetS formation and we also determined the effects of irisin and exercise. We used seven groups of rats. Group 1 (control); group 2 (sham); group 3 (10% F); group 4 (1% UA); group 5 (2% UA); group 6 (10% F + 1% UA); and Group 7, (10% F + 2% UA). After induction of MetS (groups 3 -7), Group 3 was divided into three subgroups: 3A, no further treatment; 3B, irisin treatment; 3C, irisin treatment + exercise. Group 4, 1% UA, which was divided into three subgroups: 4A, no further treatment; 4B, irisin treatment; 4C, Irisin treatment + exercise. Group 5, 2% UA, which was divided into three subgroups: 5A, no further treatment; 5B, irisin treatment; 5C, irisin treatment + exercise. Group 6, 10% F + 1% UA, which was divided into three subgroups: 6A, no further treatment; 6B, irisin treatment; 6C, irisin treatment + exercise. Group 7, 10% F + 2% UA, which was divided into three subgroups: 7A, no further treatment; 7B, irisin treatment; 7C, irisin treatment + exercise. , İrisin was administered 10 ng/kg irisin intraperitoneally on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday each week for 1 month. The exercise animals (in addition to irisin treatment) also were run on a treadmill for 45 min on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday each week for 1 month. The rats were sacrificed and samples of liver, heart, kidney, pancreas, skeletal muscles and blood were obtained. The amounts of adropin (ADR) and betatrophin in the tissue supernatant and blood were measured using an ELISA method. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect ADR and betatrophin expression in situ in tissue samples. The duration of these experiments varied from 3 and 10 weeks. The order of development of MetS was: group 7, 3 weeks; group 6, 4 weeks; group 5, 6 weeks; group 4, 7 weeks; group 3, 10 weeks. Kidney, liver, heart, pancreas and skeletal muscle tissues are sources of adropin and betatrophin. In these tissues and in the circulation, adropin was decreased significantly, while betatrophin was increased significantly due to MetS; irisin + exercise reversed this situation. We found that the best method for creating a MetS model was F + UA2 supplementation. Our method is rapid and simple. Irisin + exercise was best for preventing MetS.
Causal roles of prefrontal and temporo-parietal theta oscillations for inequity aversion

Abstract The right temporo-parietal junction (rTPJ) and the right lateral prefrontal cortex (rLPFC) are known to play prominent roles in human social behaviour. However, it remains unknown which brain rhythms in these regions contribute to trading-off fairness norms against selfish interests as well as whether the influence of these oscillations depends on whether fairness violations are advantageous or disadvantageous for a decision maker. To answer these questions, we used non-invasive transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to determine which brain rhythms in rTPJ and rLPFC are causally involved in moderating aversion to advantageous and disadvantageous inequity. Our results show that theta oscillations in rTPJ strengthen the aversion to unequal splits, which is statistically mediated by the rTPJ’s role for perspective taking. In contrast, theta tACS over rLPFC enhanced the preference for outcome-maximizing unequal choices more strongly for disadvantageous compared to advantageous outcome distributions. Taken together, we provide evidence that neural oscillations in rTPJ and rLPFC have distinct causal roles in implementing inequity aversion, which can be explained by their involvement in distinct psychological processes.
The roles of type 2 diabetes and obesity in disease activity and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Abstract Objective We examined the roles of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity in disease activity and fibrosis progression/regression in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH). Methods This multi-center, retrospective study included patients with suspected or histologically proven NAFLD/NASH from the NASH Clinical Research Network. Outcomes included disease activity and rate of fibrosis, assessed using liver-biopsy driven measures (NAFLD activity score [NAS] and fibrosis score [FS]). Logistic regression and doubly robu estimation of causal effects tested relationships among T2D, obesity, and NAFLD/NASH. Results The analytical sample included 870 adult patients with baseline biopsy data and 157 patients with multiple biopsy data. Patients with NAFLD/NASH and T2D had significantly higher baseline average NAS (4.52 vs. 4.13; p = 0.009) and FS (2.17 vs. 1.56; p < 0.0001); those with T2D had a significantly greater reduction in average NAS over time (−0.77/year vs. −0.17/year; p = 0.0008). Change in FS over time did not differ significantly by T2D status (−0.23/year vs. −0.04/year; p = 0.34). Baseline NAS, baseline FS, and change in average NAS over time did not differ significantly by obesity status (4.17 vs. 4.47; p = 0.16; 1.73 vs.1.92; p = 0.31; −0.40/year vs. −0.59/year; p = 0.62, respectively). Patients with obesity had a slight increase in FS but those without obesity had a reduction in average FS over time (0.07/year vs. −0.27/year; p = 0.008). Conclusions Patients with NAFLD/NASH and T2D had greater baseline disease activity versus those without T2D, but there was greater regression of disease activity over time among those with T2D. Patients with NAFLD/NASH and obesity had worsening of fibrosis versus those without obesity. NCT00063622
The Making of a Newspaper Interview in Virtual Reality: Realistic Avatars, Philosophy, and Sushi

VR United is a virtual reality application that we have developed to support multiple people simultaneously interacting in the same environment. Each person is represented with a virtual body that looks like themselves. Such immersive shared environments have existed and been the subject of research for the past 30 years. Here, we demonstrate how VR United meets criteria for successful interaction, where a journalist from the Financial Times in London interviewed a professor in New York for two hours. The virtual location of the interview was a restaurant, in line with the series of interviews published as “Lunch with the FT. ” We show how the interview was successful, as a substitute for a physically present one. The article based on the interview was published in the Financial Times as normal for the series. We finally consider the future development of such systems, including some implications for immersive journalism.
'Creative Destruction': Chinese GDP per capita from the Han Dynasty to Modern Times

Our article is a critical survey of the concepts, methods and date constructed and utilized by scholars (particularly the late Angus Maddison) in order to provide estimates for the measurement of relative levels and long term trends in the GDP per capita for China from the Han Dynasty to modern times. We applaud the endeavour but have reluctantly concluded that, even as conjectures, they are not fit for purpose. Furthermore, our article suggests that the Kuznetsian paradigm in empirical economics may not turn out to be viable for qualitative analysis of the long term development of imperial economies of pre-modern East and South Asia.
“I couldn’t see my friends; the internet was bad, and I hardly went out” – insights into children’s and adolescents’ experiences of COVID-19 in Germany

ABSTRACT Purpose We explored children’s experiences of COVID-19 in terms of proximity and distance to significant others. Methods Our qualitative study with children in Germany (6–15 years of age) explored their views and experiences of COVID-19 times via drawings and face-to-face semi-structured interviews (n = 13). We analysed data thematically and used the socio-ecological model as the theoretical underpinning. Case studies contextualized how children dealt with the COVID-19 precautions. Results Salient motives in children’s drawings were school scenarios showing distance-keeping and mask-wearing as an expression of interpersonal distance; in the home-schooling context, loneliness was highlighted. Drawings also illustrated the impact of COVID-19 in terms of separation, illness and death. A dynamic perception of proximity and distance emerged from drawings and interviews. COVID-19 barred children from spending “real” time together with close friends. Bridging physical distance virtually was easier for adolescents than for children. Conclusion To bolster children’s mental and social resilience in future epidemics, participants’ plea for maintaining social and physical interactions with significant others and for keeping schools open should be heeded by policy-makers. Our study also highlights the benefits of conducting direct research with children and using non-verbal methods of data collection.
Contractility measurements for cardiotoxicity screening with ventricular myocardial slices of pigs

Abstract Aims Cardiotoxicity is one major reason why drugs do not enter or are withdrawn from the market. Thus, approaches are required to predict cardiotoxicity with high specificity and sensitivity. Ideally, such methods should be performed within intact cardiac tissue with high relevance for humans and detect acute and chronic side effects on electrophysiological behaviour, contractility, and tissue structure in an unbiased manner. Herein, we evaluate healthy pig myocardial slices and biomimetic cultivation setups (BMCS) as a new cardiotoxicity screening approach. Methods and results Pig left ventricular samples were cut into slices and spanned into BMCS with continuous electrical pacing and online force recording. Automated stimulation protocols were established to determine the force–frequency relationship (FFR), frequency dependence of contraction duration, effective refractory period (ERP), and pacing threshold. Slices generated 1.3 ± 0.14 mN/mm2 force at 0.5 Hz electrical pacing and showed a positive FFR and a shortening of contraction duration with increasing pacing rates. Approximately 62% of slices were able to contract for at least 6 days while showing stable ERP, contraction duration–frequency relationship, and preserved cardiac structure confirmed by confocal imaging and X-ray diffraction analysis. We used specific blockers of the most important cardiac ion channels to determine which analysis parameters are influenced. To validate our approach, we tested five drug candidates selected from the Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay list as well as acetylsalicylic acid and DMSO as controls in a blinded manner in three independent laboratories. We were able to detect all arrhythmic drugs and their respective mode of action on cardiac tissue including inhibition of Na+, Ca2+, and hERG channels as well as Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Conclusion We systematically evaluate this approach for cardiotoxicity screening, which is of high relevance for humans and can be upscaled to medium-throughput screening. Thus, our approach will improve the predictive value and efficiency of preclinical cardiotoxicity screening.
A Simple Test for Equality of Variances in Monthly Climate Data

Abstract Tests for equality of variances of monthly climate data using resampling techniques are discussed. The application of a jackknife test to spatially correlated time series is worked out in this paper. Besides this spatial extension, it is also possible to combine the data for the individual calendar months into a single seasonal or annual test statistic. The derivation of the critical values of the test statistic from Student’s t-distribution in such multivariate applications is investigated. A modification to improve the use of the t-distribution is given for the case that the distribution of the data is close to the normal distribution. The power of the simple jackknife test is compared with that of a permutation test. The test is illustrated with a comparison of the variances of monthly temperatures and precipitation amounts in the anomaly simulation, with enhanced greenhouse gas concentrations, and in the control simulation of the high-resolution transient experiment with the Hadley Centre cou.
Triglyceride-Tethered Membrane Lipase Sensor

Sensors that can quickly measure the lipase activity from biological samples are useful in enzyme production and medical diagnostics. However, current lipase sensors have limitations such as requiring fluorescent labels, pH control of buffer vehicles, or lengthy assay preparation. We introduce a sparsely tethered triglyceride substrate anchored off of a gold electrode for the impedance sensing of real-time lipase activity. The tethered substrate is self-assembled using a rapid solvent exchange technique and can form an anchored bilayer 1 nm off the gold electrode. This allows for an aqueous reservoir region, providing access to ions transported through membrane defects caused by triglyceride enzymatic hydrolysis. Electrical impedance spectroscopy techniques can readily detect the decrease in resistance caused by enzymatically induced defects. This rapid and reliable lipase detection method can have potential applications in disease studies, monitoring of lipase production, and as point-of-care diagnostic devices.
The potassium–glycogen interaction on force and excitability in mouse skeletal muscle: implications for fatigue

A reduced muscle glycogen content and potassium (K+) disturbances across muscle membranes occur concomitantly during repeated intense exercise and together may contribute to skeletal muscle fatigue. Therefore, we examined whether raised extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) (4 to 11 mM) interacts with lowered glycogen to reduce force production. Isometric contractions were evoked in isolated mouse soleus muscles (37°C) using direct supramaximal field stimulation. (1) Glycogen declined markedly in non‐fatigued muscle with >2 h exposure in glucose‐free physiological saline compared with control solutions (11 mM glucose), i.e. to <45% control. (2) Severe glycogen depletion was associated with increased 5′‐AMP‐activated protein kinase activity, indicative of metabolic stress. (3) The decline of peak tetanic force at 11 mM [K+]o was exacerbated from 67% initial at normal glycogen to 22% initial at lowered glycogen. This was due to a higher percentage of inexcitable fibres (71% vs. 43%), yet without greater sarcolemmal depolarisation or smaller amplitude action potentials. (4) Returning glucose while at 11 mM [K+]o increased both glycogen and force. (5) Exposure to 4 mM [K+]o glucose‐free solutions (15 min) did not increase fatiguability during repeated tetani; however, after recovery there was a greater force decline at 11 mM [K+]o at lower than normal glycogen. (6) An important exponential relationship was established between relative peak tetanic force at 11 mM [K+]o and muscle glycogen content. These findings provide direct evidence of a synergistic interaction between raised [K+]o and lowered muscle glycogen as the latter shifts the peak tetanic force–resting EM relationship towards more negative resting EM due to lowered sarcolemmal excitability, which hence may contribute to muscle fatigue.
The effectiveness of transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders: the role of and impact of comorbid depression

ABSTRACT Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (tCBT), an intervention designed to be applicable across multiple diagnoses, was introduced to improve limitations in traditional therapy such as cost and access to trained therapists. It has been established as an effective and efficacious treatment for anxiety disorders, though there has been little research focussed on the role of depression. The current study investigated the role of comorbid depression during tCBT for anxiety disorders in primary care settings as an outcome and a moderator of anxiety outcomes. Results of multi-level ANOVAs indicated no significant difference in anxiety outcomes regardless of whether there was a comorbid depression diagnosis in the tCBT condition, and that individuals with a comorbid depression diagnosis experienced significantly greater reduction in anxiety severity than those without. Depression symptom severity decreased to a significantly greater extent in the tCBT condition than in TAU when the outcome measure of Patient Health Questionnaire was utilised as the outcome measure, but this was not mirrored when the Clinician Severity Rating was utilised as the outcome measure. This study provides preliminary support for the effectiveness of Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behaviour therapy for those with both a principal anxiety disorder and comorbid depression in symptom reduction.
Nonlinear Energy Transfer through the Spectrum of Gravity Waves for the Finite Depth Case

Abstract An algorithm for calculation of the nonlinear kinetic integral is described for the case of finite depth. The use of an effective approximation of the exact dispersion relationship for gravity waves in finite depth permits modification of the analytical part of the calculation technique derived earlier by the author for the deep water case. A representative series of two-dimensional spectral shapes was investigated, and numerous peculiarities of nonlinear energy transfer through the spectrum for the finite depth case were revealed. The analytical parameterization on nonlinear transfer was constructed as a function of spectral shape parameters. The first approximation of such a parameterization is presented, and further investigation of the problem discussed.
Mitochondrial 3-hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA synthase-2 (HMGCS2) deficiency: a rare case with bicytopenia and coagulopathy

Mitochondrial 3-hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA synthase-2 (HMGCS2) is the main enzyme involved in ketogenesis. It is an essential enzyme for the catalysis of β-oxidation-derived-acetyl-CoA and acetoacetyl Co-A to produce β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) and free coenzyme A. The deficiency of this enzyme (3-hydoxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase) is a very rare metabolic disorder with limited cases described in the literature. The manifestations of this disease include hypoketotic hypoglycaemia, metabolic acidosis, lethargy, hepatomegaly with fatty liver and encephalopathy. We report a middle childhood male who presented with hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and bicytopenia. The case was diagnosed by the whole exome sequencing which revealed a homozygous missense variant of uncertain significance in HMGCS2 gene.
Loneliness Factors in Older People and the Influence on Attitudes Toward Informal Care: A Study of Older Chinese People in Urban Areas

Objectives: Loneliness is thought to be more likely to occur in older people and influences their lives. This study aimed to verify the influence of loneliness in older Chinese people on their attitudes toward informal care, as well as the demographic, social, and economic factors that may cause loneliness. Methods: Data was collected from older P (age: >60 years) using an online questionnaire. Hierarchical linear regression was used to analyze the associations between demographic, social, and economic factors, loneliness, and attitudes toward informal care. Results: Results have shown that cohabitation and family savings could significantly negatively influence loneliness. Educational background and cohabitation could significantly positively influence attitudes toward informal care. However, loneliness could significantly negatively influence attitudes toward informal care. Conclusion: Older people living alone and with worse economic conditions may need attention from the community and society because they are more likely to suffer from loneliness. Loneliness may also significantly impact older people’s attitudes toward long-term care. Older people are more likely to feel lonely may have more negative attitudes toward informal care. Communities need to make more efforts to improve community health services or formal care services for these older people to address situations where informal care is not sufficiently provided.