Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectral indices for remote sensing of phytomass, deciduous shrubs, and productivity in Alaskan Arctic tundra

The relationships among in situ spectral indices, phytomass, plant functional types, and productivity were determined through field observations of moist acidic tundra (MAT), moist non-acidic tundra (MNT), heath tundra (HT), and sedge-shrub tundra (SST) in the Arctic coastal tundra, Alaska, USA. The two-band enhanced vegetation index (EVI2) was found more useful for estimating vascular plant green phytomass, leaf carbon and nitrogen, leaf carbon and nitrogen turnover, and vascular plant net primary productivity (NPP) without root production than the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Deciduous shrub green phytomass was strongly correlated with deciduous shrub index (DSI), defined as EVI2 × (Rblue + Rgreen – Rred)/(Rblue + Rgreen + Rred) (with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.63). Rblue, Rgreen, and Rred denote the blue, green, and red bands, respectively. This is because Rblue and Rgreen values were higher than the Rred values for green leaves, deciduous shrub stems, lichens, and rocks compared with other ecosystem components, and EVI2 values of lichens and rocks were very low. The vascular plant NPP without root production was estimated with an R2 of 0.67 using DSI and EVI2. Our results offer empirical evidence that a new spectral index predicts the distribution of deciduous shrub and plant production, which influences the interactions between tundra ecosystems and the atmosphere.
Progressive Excitability Changes in the Medial Entorhinal Cortex in the 3xTg Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease Pathology

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss and progressive cognitive impairments. In mouse models of AD pathology, studies have found neuronal and synaptic deficits in hippocampus, but less is known about changes in medial entorhinal cortex (MEC), which is the primary spatial input to the hippocampus and an early site of AD pathology. Here, we measured neuronal intrinsic excitability and synaptic activity in MEC layer II (MECII) stellate cells, MECII pyramidal cells, and MEC layer III (MECIII) excitatory neurons at 3 and 10 months of age in the 3xTg mouse model of AD pathology, using male and female mice. At 3 months of age, before the onset of memory impairments, we found early hyperexcitability in intrinsic properties of MECII stellate and pyramidal cells, but this was balanced by a relative reduction in synaptic excitation (E) compared with inhibition (I; E/I ratio), suggesting intact homeostatic mechanisms regulating MECII activity. Conversely, MECIII neurons had reduced intrinsic excitability at this early time point with no change in synaptic E/I ratio. By 10 months of age, after the onset of memory deficits, neuronal excitability of MECII pyramidal cells and MECIII excitatory neurons was largely normalized in 3xTg mice. However, MECII stellate cells remained hyperexcitable, and this was further exacerbated by an increased synaptic E/I ratio. This observed combination of increased intrinsic and synaptic hyperexcitability suggests a breakdown in homeostatic mechanisms specifically in MECII stellate cells at this postsymptomatic time point, which may contribute to the emergence of memory deficits in AD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT AD causes cognitive deficits, but the specific neural circuits that are damaged to drive changes in memory remain unknown. Using a mouse model of AD pathology that expresses both amyloid and tau transgenes, we found that neurons in the MEC have altered excitability. Before the onset of memory impairments, neurons in layer 2 of MEC had increased intrinsic excitability, but this was balanced by reduced inputs onto the cell. However, after the onset of memory impairments, stellate cells in MEC became further hyperexcitable, with increased excitability exacerbated by increased synaptic inputs. Thus, it appears that MEC stellate cells are uniquely disrupted during the progression of memory deficits and may contribute to cognitive deficits in AD.
Clinical standardization for the detection of hemispheric dominance for steady-state auditory evoked fields in normal hearing

Background: Steady-state auditory evoked responses (SSAERs) are promising indicators of major auditory function. The improvement in accessibility in the clinical setting depends on the standardization and definition of the characteristics of SSAERs. There have been some insights into the changes in the interhemispheric dominance of SSAERs in some clinical entities. However, the hemispheric asymmetry of SSAERs in healthy controls remains inconclusive. Methods: Twelve right-handed healthy volunteers with normal hearing were recruited. Steady-state auditory evoked fields (SSAEFs) were measured binaurally using magnetoencephalography (MEG) under pure-tone auditory stimuli at 1000 Hz with an amplitude modulation frequency of 43 Hz. The laterality index, based on the ratio of SSAEF strength over the right hemisphere to that over the left hemisphere, was also analyzed. Results: The SSAEFs source was localized bilaterally on the superior temporal plane, with an orientation centripetal to the auditory cortex. The laterality index ranged from 1.1 to 2.3, and there were no sex differences. In all subjects, the strength of the SSAEFs was significantly weaker in the left hemisphere than in the right hemisphere (p = 0.014). Conclusion: Right-sided dominance of the SSAEFs was verified in subjects with normal hearing. Acoustic sources clinically available in audiometric tests were used as stimuli. Such a simplification of parameters would be helpful for the standardization of precise production and the definition of the characteristics of SSAERs. Because MEG is still not easily accessible clinically, further studies using electroencephalography with larger sample sizes are necessary to address these issues.
Optical Quality and Visual Performance With Different Toric Contact Lens Designs

Objectives: To evaluate the optical quality of different toric contact lens (CL) designs and compare their on-eye visual correction performance. Methods: Twenty soft CL wearers aged 20 to 39 years were enrolled. Two daily disposable silicone-hydrogel toric CLs were tested: the “Eyelid Stabilized Design” (ESD-CL) and prism-ballast design (PB-CL); a spherical daily disposable silicone hydrogel CL (spherical CL) was used as a control. On-eye performance was compared for corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), astigmatism, and ocular higher-order aberrations (HOAs); astigmatism and ocular HOAs were measured with a wavefront sensor. The subjective quality of vision, rated for “blurred vision” and “double vision,” lens rotation, and fitting were also compared. Results: The ESD-CLs, PB-CL, and no-CL provided better CDVA than spherical CL (P<0.05). Compared with spherical CL and no CL, PB-CL and ESD-CLs caused significantly lesser astigmatism (P<0.05). Coma was significantly lesser with ESD-CLs than that with PB-CL (P<0.05); total HOAs did not differ among the four conditions. The subjective ratings for blurred and double vision were significantly lower with ESD-CLs than those with spherical CL (P<0.05). Conclusions: Toric CLs provide a better CDVA than spherical CLs. However, differences in coma and subjective symptoms may occur because of the design of toric CLs.
CircMACF1 alleviates myocardial fibrosis after acute myocardial infarction by suppressing cardiac fibroblast activation via the miR-16-5p/SMAD7 axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) played a pivotal role in myocardial fibrosis after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The activation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and accumulation of extracellular matrix are the main characteristics of myocardial fibrosis. In our research, we aimed to elucidate the functional roles of circMACF1 in CF activation after AMI as well as the underlying mechanism. Human CFs were activated by TGF-β1 treatment. qPCR and western blotting were performed to investigate gene and protein expression. CCK-8 and transwell assays were carried out to measure cell proliferation, and migration. Immunofluorescence was used to investigate α-SMA level. The interaction between miR-16-5p and circMACF1 or SMAD7 was revealed by RIP or dual luciferase reporter gene assays. CircMACF1 and SMAD7 were repressed in AMI patients and CFs treated with TGF-β1, and miR-16-5p was increased. In addition, circMACF1 was resistant to RNase R and abundantly expressed in the cytoplasm. Overexpression of circMACF1 inhibited cell proliferation and migration and reduced the expression levels of fibrosis-related proteins, including Collagen I, Collagen III, and α-SMA. Furthermore, circMCAF1 could directly bind to miR-16-5p, and SMAD7 was a target gene of miR-16-5p. Knockdown of miR-16-5p suppressed the activation, proliferation, and migration of TGF-β1-treated CFs, but silencing circMACF1 or SMAD7 partially reversed this phenomenon. CircMACF1 attenuated the TGF-β1-induced activation, proliferation and migration of CFs via the miR-16-5p/SMAD7 signaling pathway, indicating that circMACF1 might be a new therapeutic target for AMI.
Ryoji Ikeda : datamatics

This is a magnificently illustrated look at the long-term Datamatics project from renowned sound and visual artist Ryoji Ikeda. Ryoji Ikeda is one of the world's leading sound artists. His work focuses on the essential characteristics of both sound and light. He is regarded as one of the few international artists working convincingly across both visual and sonic media. 'Datamatics' is one of his long-term art projects, developed between 2006-2012, that explores our potential to perceive the invisible multi-substance of data that permeates our world. The project consists of various forms; audiovisual concert, installations, publications, and radio programming. This book documents most of the works from the series, particularly featuring three major Datamatics exhibitions presented in Yamaguchi (Japan 2008), Bogota (Columbia 2011) and Gijon (Spain 2012).
Mechanistic modeling projections of antibody persistence after homologous booster regimens of COVID‐19 vaccine Ad26.COV2.S in humans

Mechanistic model‐based simulations can be deployed to project the persistence of humoral immune response following vaccination. We used this approach to project the antibody persistence through 24 months from the data pooled across five clinical trials in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐seronegative participants following vaccination with Ad26.COV2. S (5 × 1010 viral particles), given either as a single‐dose or a homologous booster regimen at an interval of 2, 3, or 6 months. Antibody persistence was quantified as the percentage of participants with detectable anti‐spike binding and wild‐type virus neutralizing antibodies. The projected overall 24‐month persistence after single‐dose Ad26.COV2. S was 70.5% for binding antibodies and 55.2% for neutralizing antibodies, and increased after any homologous booster regimen to greater than or equal to 89.9% for binding and greater than or equal to 80.0% for neutralizing antibodies. The estimated model parameters quantifying the rates of antibody production attributed to short‐lived and long‐lived plasma cells decreased with increasing age, whereas the rate of antibody production mediated by long‐lived plasma cells was higher in women relative to men. Accordingly, a more pronounced waning of antibody responses was predicted in men aged greater than or equal to 60 years and was markedly attenuated following any homologous boosting regimen. The findings suggest that homologous boosting might be a viable strategy for maintaining protective effects of Ad26.COV2. S for up to 24 months following prime vaccination. The estimation of mechanistic modeling parameters identified the long‐lived plasma cell pathway as a key contributor mediating antibody persistence following single‐dose and homologous booster vaccination with Ad26.COV2. S in different subgroups of recipients stratified by age and sex.
Childhood, adolescent and early adult body mass index in relation to adult mortality: results from the British 1946 birth cohort

Background Adult body mass index (BMI) has been consistently related to mortality, but little is known about the impact of earlier life BMI on adult mortality. The aim is to investigate the impact of childhood, adolescent and early adult BMI on premature adult all-cause mortality. Methods The British 1946 cohort study was used to assess the association of BMI in childhood, adolescence and adulthood with mortality 26 e 60 years (332 deaths). 4462 (83%) respondents were available for analysis at age 26 years. Splines were used in Cox regression to model the associations between BMI and mortality. Results In both genders, adult BMI from 20 years onwards showed a consistent U-shaped relationship with adult mortality (overall p value < 0.05 for BMI at ages 20, 26 and 36 years). In women, a similar relationship was observed for adolescent BMI at 15 years (p ¼ 0.02); the HR comparing women with low BMI (2 SDs below mean) versus mean BMI was 2.96 (95% CI 1.26 to 6.97). The corresponding HR for women with BMI 2 SDs above the mean was 1.97 (0.95 to 4.10). BMI in childhood was generally not associated with adult mortality except female BMI at 4 years where a U-shaped relationship was observed (p ¼ 0.02); HR for BMI 2 SDs below mean versus mean was 2.13 (0.97 to 4.70) and the corresponding HR for 2 SDs above the mean was 1.67 (0.85 to 3.28). This association was not attenuated by subsequent BMI change or mediators. Conclusions High and low BMI from early adulthood were related to adult premature mortality suggesting that promoting a normal weight in early adulthood could prevent premature mortality.
Association of vaccine‐specific regulatory T cells with reduced antibody response to repeated influenza vaccination

Repeated annual influenza vaccinations have been associated with reduced vaccine‐induced antibody responses. This prospective study aimed to explore the role of vaccine antigen‐specific regulatory T (Treg) cells in antibody response to repeated annual influenza vaccination. We analyzed pre‐ and postvaccination hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers, seroconversion rates, seroprotection rates, vaccine antigen hemagglutinin (HA)‐specific Treg cells, and conventional T (Tconv) cells. We compared these parameters between vaccinees with or without vaccine‐induced seroconversion. Our multivariate logistic regression revealed that prior vaccination was significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of achieving seroconversion for both H1N1(adjusted OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01–0.13) and H3N2 (adjusted OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.03–0.30). Furthermore, individuals who received repeated vaccinations had significantly higher levels of pre‐existing HA‐specific Treg cells than those who did not. We also found that vaccine‐induced fold‐increases in HI titers and seroconversion were negatively correlated with pre‐existing HA‐specific Treg cells and positively correlated with the ratio of Tconv to Treg cells. Overall, our findings suggest that repeated annual influenza vaccination is associated with a lower vaccine‐induced antibody response and a higher frequency of vaccine‐specific Treg cells. However, a lower frequency of pre‐existing Treg cells correlates with a higher postvaccination antibody response.
Feather-inspired flow control device across flight regimes

Bio-inspired flow control strategies can provide a new paradigm of efficiency and adaptability to overcome the operational limitations of traditional flow control. This is particularly useful to small-scale uncrewed aerial vehicles since their mission requirements are rapidly expanding, but they are still limited in terms of agility and adaptability when compared to their biological counterparts, birds. One of the flow control strategies that birds implement is the deployment of covert feathers. In this study, we investigate the performance characteristics and flow physics of torsionally hinged covert-inspired flaps mounted on the suction side of a NACA2414 airfoil across different Reynolds numbers, specifically 200,000 and 1,000. These two Reynolds numbers are representative of different avian flight regimes where covert feathers have been observed to deploy during flight, namely cruising and landing/perching. We performed experiments and simulations where we varied the flap location, the hinge stiffness, and the moment of inertia of the flap to investigate the aerodynamic performance and describe the effects of the structural parameters of the flap on the aerodynamic lift improvements. Results of the study show up to 12% lift improvement post-stall for the flapped cases when compared to the flap-less baseline. The post-stall lift improvement is sensitive to the flap’s structural properties and location. For instance, the hinge stiffness controls the mean deflection angle of the flap, which governs the resulting time-averaged lift improvements. The flap moment of inertia, on the other hand, controls the flap dynamics, which in turn controls the flap’s lift-enhancing mechanism and how the flap affects the instantaneous lift. By examining the time-averaged and instantaneous lift measurement, we uncover the mechanisms by which the covert-inspired flap improves lift and highlights similarities and differences across Reynolds numbers. This article highlights the feasibility of using covert-inspired flaps as flow control across different flight missions and speeds.
eat and intake of ‘insect’ containing food is increased

Over two studies we investigated the effect of various written interventions (passages) on the disgust response towards a food (falafels) which supposedly contained mealworm (insect) flour. Actually, participants (Study 1 N = 80, Study 2 N = 78) were given the same non-mealworm containing food in all conditions. Disgust was measured using: tactile sensitivity, food intake, liking and desire to eat. Results of Study 1 showed that a sustainability passage (sustainability advantages of entomophagy), but not a delicacy passage (oro-sensory qualities of insects), was effective in reducing disgust. In Study 2, contrary to prediction, a passage describing the sustainability and nutritional advantages entomophagy failed to reduce disgust - falafel intake, liking and desire to eat were decreased. However, a passage which described how mealworm flour is produced, did significantly reduce disgust. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that written passages can alter the disgust response, notably resulting in a maintenance of food intake. Interventions that increase the perception of familiarity of a novel food, but not logic-based arguments, may be a key driver of the amelioration of disgust. These results also support the suggestion that altering the ideational component of disgust can result in changes of distaste perception.
In situ construction of N-doped Ti3C2T x confined worm-like Fe2O3 nanoparticles by Fe–O–Ti bonding for LIBs anode with superior cycle performance

The development of Fe2O3 as lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) anode is greatly restricted by its poor electronic conductivity and structural stability. To solve these issues, this work presents in situ construction of three-dimensional crumpled Fe2O3@N-Ti3C2T x composite by solvothermal-freeze-drying process, in which wormlike Fe2O3 nanoparticles (10–50 nm) in situ nucleated and grew on the surface of N-doped Ti3C2T x nanosheets with Fe–O–Ti bonding. As a conductive matrix, N-doping endows Ti3C2T x with more active sites and higher electron transfer efficiency. Meanwhile, Fe–O–Ti bonding enhances the stability of the Fe2O3/N-Ti3C2T x interface and also acts as a pathway for electron transmission. With a large specific surface area (114.72 m2 g−1), the three-dimensional crumpled structure of Fe2O3@N-Ti3C2T x facilitates the charge diffusion kinetics and enables easier exposure of the active sites. Consequently, Fe2O3@N-Ti3C2T x composite exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance as anode for LIBs, a reversible capacity of 870.2 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 0.5 A g−1, 1129 mAh g−1 after 280 cycles at 0.2 A g−1 and 777.6 mAh g−1 after 330 cycles at 1 A g−1.
Correlation Between the Location and Distance of Kissing Contusions and Knee Laxity in Acute Noncontact ACL Injury

Background: Bone bruise (BB) and kissing contusion are common features of acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The correlation between the location and distance of kissing contusions and knee laxity remains unclear. Purpose: To determine the significance of different patterns of BB in acute noncontact ACL injury and assess the correlation between the location and distance of kissing contusions and the severity of knee laxity. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 205 patients with acute noncontact ACL injury undergoing arthroscopic treatment between January 2021 and May 2022 were included in this retrospective analysis. Patients were grouped according to the different patterns of BB. The type of ACL injury and concomitant injuries were analyzed on MRI and confirmed by arthroscopy. Anterior knee laxity was assessed by the Ligs digital arthrometer and stress radiography, and rotational knee laxity was assessed by the intraoperative pivot-shift test. The MRI parameters of the location and distance of kissing contusions were measured to assess their correlations with the severity of knee laxity. Results: Of the 205 patients with acute noncontact ACL injury, 38 were in the non-BB group and 167 were in the BB group, the latter including 32 with the isolated BB on the lateral tibial plateau and 135 with kissing contusions. There was no significant difference in the mean time from initial injury to MRI scan between the non-BB group and the BB group (14.34 ± 2.92 vs 15.17 ± 2.86 days; P = .109) or between the isolated BB subgroup and the kissing contusion subgroup (14.94 ± 2.92 vs 15.23 ± 2.85 days; P = .605). The side-to-side difference (SSD) in anterior knee laxity and the incidences of complete ACL injury, concomitant injuries, and high-grade pivot-shift test were significantly higher in the BB group than in the non-BB group, and in the kissing contusion subgroup compared with the isolated BB subgroup. The kissing contusion index of the lateral femoral condyle (LFC) and the sagittal distance of kissing contusions were significantly correlated with the SSD in anterior knee laxity and the grade of pivot-shift test (P < .001). Conclusion: The presence of BB, in particular the appearance of kissing contusions, was related to greater knee laxity and higher incidences of complete ACL injury and concomitant injuries in acute noncontact ACL injury. For patients with kissing contusions, as the location of BB on the LFC moved forward and the distance between kissing contusions increased, anterior and rotational knee laxity became more serious.
Taming resistant hypertension: The promise of novel pharmacologic approaches and renal denervation

Resistant hypertension is associated with an exceedingly high cardiovascular risk and there remains an unmet therapeutic need driven by pathophysiologic pathways unaddressed by guideline‐recommended therapy. While spironolactone is widely considered as the preferable fourth‐line drug, its broad application is limited by its side effect profile, especially off‐target steroid receptor‐mediated effects and hyperkalaemia in at‐risk subpopulations. Recent landmark trials have reported promising safety and efficacy results for a number of novel compounds targeting relevant pathophysiologic pathways that remain unopposed by contemporary drugs. These include the dual endothelin receptor antagonist, aprocitentan, the aldosterone synthase inhibitor, baxdrostat and the nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone. Furthermore, the evidence base for consideration of catheter‐based renal denervation as a safe and effective adjunct therapeutic approach across the clinical spectrum of hypertension has been further substantiated. This review will summarise the recently published evidence on novel antihypertensive drugs and renal denervation in the context of resistant hypertension.