Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling the impact of genotype, age, sex, and continuous navigation on pathway integration performance

The Path Integration (PI) task stands as a fundamental activity within spatial navigation, encompassing a multifaceted underlying process that requires extensive computation of both translational and directional information during navigation. This task is postulated to engage the entorhinal cortex (EC), a critical brain region. Although rodent studies have firmly linked the EC with the PI task, such a correlation has yet to be definitively established in humans. Individuals harboring high-risk genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) present a unique opportunity to explore PI task performance in humans because EC is the first targeted region during the pathological development of AD. Furthermore, the execution of the PI task is also susceptible to the influences of age and gender. In order to methodically probe the influences of various factors on PI performance, we conducted a PI task in a cohort characterized by high-risk AD-associated genes in a virtual island environment with surrounding landmarks. Our findings unveiled intricate interactions between these risk genes, age, and gender in shaping PI performance, an influence primarily mediated through distance and angle estimation. This study provides an illuminating perspective on the investigation into the functional role of the entorhinal cortex within the context of the PI task.
Dissociable contributions of the medial parietal cortex to recognition memory

Human neuroimaging studies of episodic memory retrieval routinely observe the engagement of specific cortical regions beyond the medial temporal lobe. Of these, medial parietal cortex (MPC) is of particular interest given its ubiquitous, and yet distinct, functional characteristics during different types of retrieval tasks. Specifically, while recognition memory and autobiographical recall tasks are both used to probe episodic retrieval, these paradigms consistently drive distinct patterns of response within MPC. This dissociation adds to growing evidence suggesting a common principle of functional organization across memory related brain structures, specifically regarding the control or content demands of memory-based decisions. To carefully examine this putative organization, we used a high-resolution fMRI dataset collected at ultra-high field (7T) while subjects performed thousands of recognition-memory trials to identify MPC regions responsive to recognition-decisions or semantic content of stimuli within and across individuals. We observed interleaving, though distinct, functional subregions of MPC where responses were sensitive to either recognition decisions or the semantic representation of stimuli, but rarely both. In addition, this functional dissociation within MPC was further accentuated by distinct profiles of connectivity bias with the hippocampus during task and rest. Finally, we show that recent observations of person and place selectivity within MPC reflect category specific responses from within identified semantic regions that are sensitive to mnemonic demands. Together, these data better account for how distinct patterns of MPC responses can occur as a result of task demands during episodic retrieval and may reflect a common principle of organization throughout hippocampal-neocortical memory systems. Significance statement Medial parietal cortex (MPC) plays a growing role in contemporary theories of episodic memory, as it is reliably observed in human neuroimaging to be engaged during tasks of recognition and retrieval. However, the spatial pattern of MPC engagement consistently differs across these putatively similar episodic memory tasks. Despite a large literature indicating that the MPC is important for episodic memory, there is little consensus about its specific role. Here, we employed ‘precision-neuroimaging’ to identify dissociable interleaving MPC subregions, where activity reflected either memory-based decision-making or stimulus content. This dissociation within MPC provides a better understanding for how retrieval demands shape response patterns and speaks to growing evidence for a common principle of organization across memory structures of the human brain.
Evaluation of antioxidant activities of five selected brown seaweeds from China

The antioxidant activities of Methanol/Chloroform (MC) extracts and fractions of five brown algae (Sargassum fusiforme, Sargassum kjellmanianum, Sargassum. pallidum, Sargassum thunbergii and Sargassum horneri) from China were evaluated through DPPH/hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity and reducing power. Total phenolic content was investigated using Folin–Ciocalteau reagent. The MC extract of S. kjellmanianum showed higher antioxidant activity than other seaweeds. However, the MC extracts of all the seaweeds showed lower DPPH radical-scavenging activity than Gallic Acid (GA) and ascorbic acid (AscA) at 50 µg/ml. The MC extracts were further purified by liquid–liquid partition to afford four fractions: Petroleum Ether (PE), Ethyl Acetate (EA), Butanol (BU) and Aqueous (AQ), among which the EA was found to be the most effective fraction and showed higher antioxidant activity than AscA, except that the EA fraction of S. thunbergii presented lower reducing power than GA. Antioxidant activities of MC extracts showed an increase with increasing concentration (between 15 and 45 μg/ml) indicating the dose dependency of these properties. The phenolic compounds with highest activities were concentrated in the EA fraction and were of medium polarity. The finding showed that the antioxidant-rich extracts or fractions had a significant potential to be use as a natural antioxidant agent. Key words: Brown seaweeds, Sargassum, antioxidant activity, phenols content.
Evaluation of antioxidant activities of flower extract (fresh and dried) of Saraca indica grown in West Bengal

Saraca indica has been greatly used as traditional medicine for women related problems, such as leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, bleeding haemorrhoids etc. In this study different Phytochemicals and free radical scavenging activity were measured in the ethanolic and water extract of fresh and dried flowers of Saraca indica collected from in and around Barrack pore area, West Bengal. The Phytochemicals studied from flower extracts are total polyphenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and tannins. Free Radical scavenging activities of the extracts were evaluated using DPPH assay method. The results revealed that total polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins content were relatively higher in ethanolic extract of the fresh flower and water extract of the dried flower of Saraca indica. Whereas both extract of dried flower contained higher amount of ascorbic acid. The free radical scavenging activity was higher in fresh flower extract (both ethanol and water) in comparison to dried flower. The results revealed that the antioxidant property of both flower extracts may improved human health status and stay away from many diseases.
Understanding the regional impacts of climate change: research report prepared for the Stern review on the economics of climate change.

The aim of this project was to bring together a range of work to examine the global impacts of climate change at different degrees of temperature rise (up to 5°C where possible), identifying vulnerable sectors in different parts of the world. The project aims to analyse impacts work in a consistent way, explicitly identifying assumptions between different results, and provides a basis for comparison with how impacts are handled in integrated assessment models. A key output of the project is the set of impacts matrices accompanying this report showing impacts in various sectors and regions. All annual global mean temperature increases mentioned in this report refer to a baseline date of 1990.
Integrated modeling as a decision‐aiding tool for groundwater management in a Mediterranean agricultural watershed

A decision‐aiding methodology for agricultural groundwater management is presented; it is based on the combination of a watershed model, a groundwater flow model, and an optimization model. This methodology was applied to an agricultural watershed in northeastern Greece. The watershed model used was the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), which provided recharge rates for the aquifers. These recharge rates were imported in the well‐known MODFLOW groundwater flow model. Both models were calibrated and verified using field data. Then, the nonlinear optimization problem was solved by a piecewise linearization process, in which the Simplex algorithm was applied sequentially. Apart from several pumping and climate change sensitivity scenarios, a land use change scenario and a climate change scenario, combining the three models, were tested, showing the ability of this methodology to be used in the decision‐making process. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sub-second Dopamine Signals during Risky Decision-Making in Patients with Impulse Control Disorder

Background Impulse Control Disorder (ICD) in Parkinson’s disease is a behavioral addiction arising secondary to dopaminergic therapies, most often dopamine receptor agonists. Prior research implicates changes in striatal function and heightened dopaminergic activity in the dorsal striatum of patients with ICD. However, this prior work does not possess the temporal resolution required to investigate dopaminergic signaling during real-time progression through various stages of decision-making involving anticipation and feedback. Methods We recorded high-frequency (10Hz) measurements of extracellular dopamine in the striatum of patients with (N=3) and without (N=3) a history of ICD secondary to dopamine receptor agonist therapy for Parkinson’s disease symptoms. These measurements were made using carbon fiber microelectrodes during awake DBS neurosurgery and while participants performed a sequential decision-making task involving risky investment decisions and real monetary gains and losses. Per clinical standard-of-care, participants withheld all dopaminergic medications prior to the procedure. Results Patients with ICD invested significantly more money than patients without ICD. On each trial, patients with ICD made smaller adjustments to their investment levels compared to patients without ICD. In patients with ICD, dopamine levels rose or fell on sub-second timescales in anticipation of investment outcomes consistent with increased or decreased confidence in a positive outcome, respectively; dopamine levels in patients without ICD were significantly more stable during this phase. After outcome revelation, dopamine levels in patients with ICD rose significantly more than in inpatients without ICD for better-than-expected gains. For worse-than-expected losses, dopamine levels in patients with ICD remained level whereas dopamine levels in patients without ICD fell. Conclusion We report significantly increased risky behavior and exacerbated phasic dopamine signaling, on sub-second timescales, anticipating and following the revelation of the outcomes of risky decisions in patients with ICD. Notably, these results were obtained when patients who had demonstrated ICD in the past but were, at the time of surgery, in an off-medication state. Thus, it is unclear whether observed signals reflect an inherent predisposition for ICD that was revealed when dopamine receptor agonists were introduced or whether these observations were caused by the introduction of dopamine receptor agonists and the patients having experienced ICD symptoms in the past. Regardless, future work investigating dopamine’s role in human cognition, behavior, and disease should consider the signals this system generates on sub-second timescales.
SKIN REINNERVATION BY COLLATERAL SPROUTING FOLLOWING SPARED NERVE INJURY IN MICE

Following peripheral nerve injury, denervated tissues can be reinnervated via regeneration of injured neurons or via collateral sprouting of neighboring uninjured afferents into the denervated territory. While there has been substantial focus on mechanisms underlying regeneration, collateral sprouting has received relatively less attention. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry and genetic neuronal labeling to define the subtype specificity of sprouting-mediated reinnervation of plantar hind paw skin in the mouse spared nerve injury (SNI) model, in which productive regeneration cannot occur. Following an initial loss of cutaneous afferents in the tibial nerve territory, we observed progressive centripetal reinnervation by multiple subtypes of neighboring uninjured fibers into denervated glabrous and hairy plantar skin. In addition to dermal reinnervation, CGRP-expressing peptidergic fibers slowly but continuously repopulated the denervated epidermis, Interestingly, GFRα2-expressing nonpeptidergic fibers exhibited a transient burst of epidermal reinnervation, followed by trend towards regression. Presumptive sympathetic nerve fibers also sprouted into the denervated territory, as did a population of myelinated TrkC lineage fibers, though the latter did so less efficiently. Conversely, rapidly adapting Aβ fiber and C fiber low threshold mechanoreceptor (LTMR) subtypes failed to exhibit convincing collateral sprouting up to 8 weeks after nerve injury. Optogenetics and behavioral assays further demonstrated the functionality of collaterally sprouted fibers in hairy plantar skin with restoration of punctate mechanosensation without hypersensitivity. Our findings advance understanding of differential collateral sprouting among sensory neuron subpopulations and may guide strategies to promote the progression of sensory recovery or limit maladaptive sensory phenomena after peripheral nerve injury. Significance Statement Following nerve injury, whereas one mechanism for tissue reinnervation is regeneration of injured neurons, another, less well studied mechanism is collateral sprouting of nearby uninjured neurons. In this study, we examined collateral sprouting in denervated mouse skin and showed that it involves some, but not all neuronal subtypes. Despite such heterogeneity, a significant degree of restoration of punctate mechanical sensitivity is achieved. These findings highlight the diversity of collateral sprouting among peripheral neuron subtypes and reveal important differences between pre- and post-denervation skin that might be appealing targets for therapeutic correction to enhance functional recovery from denervation and prevent unwanted sensory phenomena such as pain or numbness.
Evidence from Kenya

Fiscal decentralisation theories posit that ‘yardstick competition’ – comparison between peers – creates political incentives to enhance public service delivery. However, little is known about how party politics shape decision-makers’ incentives to compare each other’s performance across neighbouring localities. This working paper examines how the spatial distribution of support for political parties affects public spending across local counties in Kenya by examining the spillover effects of a partisan reform that increased spending in 10 of Kenya’s 47 counties. Using a spatial difference in difference design, this paper shows that policymakers in the counties that bordered the 10 reform counties engaged in ‘free riding’ – reducing their own public goods and services spending (relying on citizens accessing services in neighbouring counties). They re-allocated these resources to targeted goods, an effect that was stronger in the run-up to elections and for incumbents with a political stronghold. Further evidence from household surveys suggests that free riding reduced household’s access to public goods and services. The findings suggest that party politics may render the disciplinary effects of yardstick competition ineffective by generating incentives to benchmark performance vis-à-vis neighbours sharing the same party, rather than among neighbours under different parties. Series
The Moon as a photometric calibration standard for microwave sensors

Abstract. Instruments on satellites for Earth observation on polar orbits usually employ a two-point calibration technique, in which deep space and an onboard calibration target provide two reference flux levels. As the direction of the deep-space view is in general close to the celestial equator, the Moon sometimes moves through the field of view and introduces an unwelcome additional signal. One can take advantage of this intrusion, however, by using the Moon as a third flux standard, and this has actually been done for checking the lifetime stability of sensors operating at visible wavelengths. As the disk-integrated thermal emission of the Moon is less well known than its reflected sunlight, this concept can in the microwave range only be used for stability checks and intercalibration. An estimate of the frequency of appearances of the Moon in the deep-space view, a description of the limiting factors of the measurement accuracy and models of the Moon's brightness, and a discussion of the benefits from complementing the naturally occurring appearances of the Moon with dedicated spacecraft maneuvers show that it would be possible to detect photometric lifetime drifts of a few percent with just two measurements. The pointing accuracy is the most crucial factor for the value of this method. Planning such observations in advance would be particularly beneficial, because it allows observing the Moon at well-defined phase angles and putting it at the center of the field of view. A constant phase angle eliminates the need for a model of the Moon's brightness when checking the stability of an instrument. With increasing spatial resolution of future microwave sensors another question arises, viz. to what extent foreground emission from objects other than the Moon will contaminate the flux entering the deep-space view, which is supposed to originate exclusively in the cosmic microwave background. We conclude that even the brightest discreet sources have flux densities below the detection limit of microwave sensors in a single scan.
Deep quantitative glycoproteomics reveals gut microbiome induced remodeling of the brain glycoproteome

Highlights High throughput glycoproteomics method with multiplexed quantification 25-fold improvement of the mouse brain glycoproteome coverage Structural features dictate level of glycosite micro-heterogeneity Gut microbiome composition extensively impacts the brain glycoproteome Modulation of glycosylation is site-specific Protein glycosylation is a highly diverse post-translational modification, modulating key cellular processes such as cell signaling, adhesion and cell-cell interactions. Its deregulation has been associated with various pathologies, including cancer and neurological diseases. Methods capable of quantifying glycosylation dynamics are essential to start unraveling the biological functions of protein glycosylation. Here we present Deep Quantitative Glycoprofiling (DQGlyco), a method that combines high-throughput sample preparation, high-sensitivity detection, and precise multiplexed quantification of protein glycosylation. We used DQGlyco to profile the mouse brain glycoproteome, in which we identify 158,972 and 15,056 unique N- and O-glycopeptides localized on 3,199 and 2,365 glycoproteins, respectively - this amounts to 25-fold more glycopeptides identified compared to previous studies. We observed extensive heterogeneity of glycoforms and determined their functional and structural preferences. The presence of a defined gut microbiota resulted in extensive remodeling of the brain glycoproteome when compared to that of germ-free animals, exemplifying how the gut microbiome may affect brain protein functions.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Culture, context and critical thinking

Limited research exists that considers the usefulness of outdoor learning as a legitimate pedagogical approach for the delivery of a mainstream secondary school curriculum. To address this shortcoming, we investigated the ways in which mathematics and geography teachers and students from three secondary schools in Scotland responded to the Outdoor Journeys programme, which is a school-based teaching approach that enables pupils to learn about the people and place in which they live. Data collection included participant observation, short questionnaires, and interviews with approximately 150 students (11-14 years old) and 10 teachers. In most cases, pupils enjoyed the opportunity to guide their own learning experientially and beyond the familiar classroom context. Teachers acknowledged that such an approach presented an opportunity to develop pupils’ critical thinking skills and that these skills can, in some cases, be overlooked in early secondary education. Following these findings, we discuss the pedagogical implications arising from the inclusion of critical thinking as a key outcome of outdoor learning, and as part of the Outdoor Journeys programme, within a secondary school context. We continue by adding our voice to the nascent literature addressing outdoor learning approaches which seeks to gain traction within the broader social ecology of established school cultures.
From An

In the past few years, FaaS has gained signiﬁcant popularity and became a go-to choice for deploying cloud applications and micro-services. FaaS with its unique ‘pay as you go’ pricing model and key performance beneﬁts over other cloud services, o ﬀ ers an easy and intuitive programming model to build cloud applications. In this model, a developer focuses on writing the code of the application while infrastructure management is left to the cloud provider who is responsible for the underlying resources, security, isolation, and scaling of the application. Recently, a number of commercial and open-source FaaS platforms have emerged, o ﬀ ering a wide range of features to application developers. In this paper, ﬁrst, we present measurement studies demystifying various features and performance of commercial and open-source FaaS platforms that can help developers with deploying and con-ﬁguring their serverless applications. Second, we discuss the distinct performance and cost beneﬁts of FaaS and interesting use cases that leverage the performance, cost, or both aspects of FaaS. Lastly, we discuss challenges a developer may face while developing or deploying a serverless application. We also discuss state of the art solutions and open problems.
The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Product Generation System

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Product Generation System (GPGS) is introduced and described. GPGS is a set of computer programs developed and maintained at the Global Hydrology and Climate Center and is designed to generate meteorological data products using visible and infrared measurements from the GOES-East Imager and Sounder instruments. The products that are produced by GPGS are skin temperature, total precipitable water, cloud top pressure, cloud albedo, surface albedo, and surface insolation. A robust cloud mask is also generated. The retrieval methodology for each product is described to include algorithm descriptions and required inputs and outputs for the programs. Validation is supplied where applicable.