Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Data-driven characterization of traumatic brain injury severity from clinical, neuroimaging, and blood-based indicators

The conventional clinical approach to characterizing traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) as mild, moderate, or severe using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) total score has well-known limitations, prompting calls for more sophisticated strategies to characterize TBI. Here, we use item response theory (IRT) to develop a novel method for quantifying TBI severity that incorporates neuroimaging and blood-based biomarkers along with clinical measures. Within the multicenter Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI (TRACK-TBI) study sample (N = 2545), we show that a set of 23 clinical, head computed tomography (CT), and blood-based biomarker variables familiar to clinicians and researchers index a common latent continuum of TBI severity. We illustrate how IRT can be used to identify the relative value of these features to estimate an individual’s position along the TBI severity continuum. Finally, we show that TBI severity scores generated using this novel IRT-based method incrementally predict functional outcome over classic clinical (mild, moderate, severe) or International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in TBI (IMPACT) classification methods. Our findings directly inform ongoing international efforts to refine and deploy new pragmatic, empirically-supported strategies for characterizing TBI, while illustrating a strategy that may be useful to evolve staging systems for other diseases.
Improving calibration and validation of cosmic-ray neutron sensors in the light of spatial sensitivity

Abstract. In the last few years the method of cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) has gained popularity among hydrologists, physicists, and land-surface modelers. The sensor provides continuous soil moisture data, averaged over several hectares and tens of decimeters in depth. However, the signal still may contain unidentified features of hydrological processes, and many calibration datasets are often required in order to find reliable relations between neutron intensity and water dynamics. Recent insights into environmental neutrons accurately described the spatial sensitivity of the sensor and thus allowed one to quantify the contribution of individual sample locations to the CRNS signal. Consequently, data points of calibration and validation datasets are suggested to be averaged using a more physically based weighting approach. In this work, a revised sensitivity function is used to calculate weighted averages of point data. The function is different from the simple exponential convention by the extraordinary sensitivity to the first few meters around the probe, and by dependencies on air pressure, air humidity, soil moisture, and vegetation. The approach is extensively tested at six distinct monitoring sites: two sites with multiple calibration datasets and four sites with continuous time series datasets. In all cases, the revised averaging method improved the performance of the CRNS products. The revised approach further helped to reveal hidden hydrological processes which otherwise remained unexplained in the data or were lost in the process of overcalibration. The presented weighting approach increases the overall accuracy of CRNS products and will have an impact on all their applications in agriculture, hydrology, and modeling.
Epigenetic erosion of H4K20me1 induced by inflammation drives aged stem cell ferroptosis

Aging is associated with a decline in stem cell functionality and number across the organism. In this study, we aimed to further unravel Muscle Stem Cells (MuSCs) aging by assessing how systemic factors influence MuSC fate decisions through long-term epigenetic landscape remodelling. As aging is intricately linked to a pro-inflammatory shift, we studied the epigenetic effects of inflammatory signals in MuSCs and measured decreased H4K20me1 levels. This loss disrupts MuSC quiescence, largely through epigenetic silencing of Notch target genes. In the setting of inflammatory signals or aging, the lack of Kmt5a and the subsequent absence of de novoH4K20me1 culminate in cell death by ferroptosis. Aged MuSCs manifest abnormal iron metabolism and reduced Gpx4 levels, resulting in the accumulation of intracellular iron, increased reactive oxygen species, genomic instability, and lipid peroxidation. We showed that ferroptosis is the predominant mode of cell death in aged MuSCs, with remarkably high levels of lipid peroxidation; a phenomenon we also observed in aged hematopoietic stem cells. Implementing preventative strategies to inhibit systemic inflammation prevented aged MuSC ferroptosis, preserving their numbers and regenerative capabilities. This intervention significantly enhanced aged muscle regeneration and strength recovery and extended both lifespan and healthspan in mice. This study delineates a previously underappreciated fate trajectory for stem cell aging, and offers meaningful insights into the treatment of age-related disorders.
Optimizing energy efficiency in heterogeneous networks: An integrated stochastic geometry approach with novel sleep mode strategies and QoS framework

The quest for energy efficiency (EE) in multi-tier Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets) is observed within the context of surging high-speed data demands and the rapid proliferation of wireless devices. The analysis of existing literature underscores the need for more comprehensive strategies to realize genuinely energy-efficient HetNets. This research work contributes significantly by employing a systematic methodology, utilizing This model facilitates the assessment of network performance by considering the spatial distribution of network elements. The stochastic nature of the PPP allows for a realistic representation of the random spatial deployment of base stations and users in multi-tier HetNets. Additionally, an analytical framework for Quality of Service (QoS) provision based on D-DOSS simplifies the understanding of user-base station relationships and offers essential performance metrics. Moreover, an optimization problem formulation, considering coverage, energy maximization, and delay minimization constraints, aims to strike a balance between key network attributes. This research not only addresses crucial challenges in creating EE HetNets but also lays a foundation for future advancements in wireless network design, operation, and management, ultimately benefiting network operators and end-users alike amidst the growing demand for high-speed data and the increasing prevalence of wireless devices. The proposed D-DOSS approach not only offers insights for the systematic design and analysis of EE HetNets but also systematically outperforms other state-of-the-art techniques presented. The improvement in energy efficiency systematically ranges from 67% (min side) to 98% (max side), systematically demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed strategy in achieving higher energy efficiency compared to existing strategies. This systematic research work establishes a strong foundation for the systematic evolution of energy-efficient HetNets. The systematic methodology employed ensures a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay of network dynamics and user requirements in a multi-tiered environment.
Increasing prevalence of cirrhosis among insured adults in the United States, 2012–2018

Background Liver cirrhosis is a chronic disease that is known as a “silent killer” and its true prevalence is difficult to describe. It is imperative to accurately characterize the prevalence of cirrhosis because of its increasing healthcare burden. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, trends in cirrhosis prevalence were evaluated using administrative data from one of the largest national health insurance providers in the US. (2011–2018). Enrolled adult (≥18-years-old) patients with cirrhosis defined by ICD-9 and ICD-10 were included in the study. The primary outcome measured in the study was the prevalence of cirrhosis 2011–2018. Results Among the 371,482 patients with cirrhosis, the mean age was 62.2 (±13.7) years; 53.3% had commercial insurance and 46.4% had Medicare Advantage. The most frequent cirrhosis etiologies were alcohol-related (26.0%), NASH (20.9%) and HCV (20.0%). Mean time of follow-up was 725 (±732.3) days. The observed cirrhosis prevalence was 0.71% in 2018, a 2-fold increase from 2012 (0.34%). The highest prevalence observed was among patients with Medicare Advantage insurance (1.67%) in 2018. Prevalence increased in each US. state, with Southern states having the most rapid rise (2.3-fold). The most significant increases were observed in patients with NASH (3.9-fold) and alcohol-related (2-fold) cirrhosis. Conclusion Between 2012–2018, the prevalence of liver cirrhosis doubled among insured patients. Alcohol-related and NASH cirrhosis were the most significant contributors to this increase. Patients living in the South, and those insured by Medicare Advantage also have disproportionately higher prevalence of cirrhosis. Public health interventions are important to mitigate this concerning trajectory of strain to the health system.
Sex Hormones and Abdominal Muscle Area and Radiodensity in Men: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Information on the associations of testosterone levels with abdominal muscle volume and quality in men is limited, while the role of estradiol and SHBG on these muscle characteristics are unclear. To investigate the association between fasting serum sex hormones and CT-derived abdominal muscle area and radiodensity in adult men. Cross sectional observational study using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. A community-based sample of 907 men aged 45–84 years; 878 men with complete data were included in the analysis. CT scans of the abdomen were interrogated for muscle characteristics. Multivariable linear regressions were used to test the associations. After adjustment, higher levels of both total testosterone and estradiol were associated with higher abdominal muscle area (1.79, 0.1–3.4, & 1.79, 0.4–3.2, respectively). In the final analyses, levels of total testosterone showed a positive association, while an inverse relationship was observed for SHBG with abdominal muscle radiodensity (0.3, 0.0–0.6, & −0.34, −0.6 - −0.1, respectively). Our results indicate a complex association between sex hormones and abdominal muscle characteristics in men. Specifically, total testosterone and estradiol were associated with abdominal muscle area, while only total testosterone was associated with muscle radiodensity and SHBG was inversely associated with muscle radiodensity.
Genomic ancestry and social dynamics of the last hunter-gatherers of Atlantic France

Significance Since the early Holocene, western and central Europe was inhabited by a genetically distinct group of hunter-gatherers. We generated different types of biomolecular data, including deep coverage complete genome sequencing, from human skeletal remains buried in the iconic sites of Téviec and Hoedic in Brittany, representing some of the last hunter-gatherers of western Europe. The data show that these last foragers were part of a network of people who maintained exogamic practices. These socio-cultural dynamics contributed to avoiding inbreeding. Some of the forager individuals overlapped in time with the arrival of Neolithic farmers to neighboring regions. However, we did not find any farmer-associated ancestry in the analyzed hunter-gatherers and the mate-exchanging networks appear to be exclusive for the foraging group.
A comprehensive review of pore scale modeling methodologies for multiphase flow in porous media

Multiphase flow in porous media is relevant to amount of engineering processes, such as hydrocarbon extraction from reservoir rock, water contamination, CO2 geological storage and sequestration. Pore scale modeling, as an alternative approach to lab measurement, firstly serves as an effective bridge to link the pore scale properties (pore geometry and wettability) and displacement mechanisms to continuous scale multiphase flow in porous media; and secondly allows us to determine essential flow functions, such as capillary pressure and relative permeability curves, which are required for continuous scale modeling. In the literature, three methodologies, Bundle of Capillary Tube Modeling (BCTM), Direct Pore Scale Modeling (DPSM) and Pore Network Modeling (PNM), have appeared to be mostly widely adopted in the investigation of the pore-scale mechanics of fluid-fluid and fluid-solid interactions in porous media by numerical simulation. In this review article, a comprehensive review is provided to show their strengths and weaknesses and to highlight challenges that are faced in modelling of multiphase flow, key challenges include: are contact angle characterization, validation and upscale pore scale findings to core, or even field scale.
Does the Relationship of the Autonomic Symptoms Questionnaire COMPASS 31 with Cardiovascular Autonomic Tests Differ between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?

Background The aim was to investigate if autonomic symptoms questionnaire Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS) 31 has different association with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and diagnostic performance between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods Seventy-nine participants with T1DM and 140 with T2DM completed COMPASS 31 before cardiovascular reflex tests (CARTs) for CAN, and assessment of symptoms, signs, vibration, and thermal perception thresholds for diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) diagnosis. Results COMPASS 31 total weighted score (TWS) was similar in the two groups, but significantly associated with confirmed CAN only in T1DM (P=0.0056) and not T2DM group (P=0.1768) and correlated with CARTs score more strongly in T1DM (rho=0.356, P=0.0016) than in T2DM group (rho=0.084, P=0.3218) (P=0.016). Only in T1DM and not T2DM group, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) reached a fair diagnostic accuracy (>0.7) for confirmed CAN (0.73±0.07 vs. 0.61±0.08) and DPN (0.75±0.06 vs. 0.68±0.05), although without a significant difference. COMPASS 31 TWS (cut-off 16.44) reached acceptable diagnostic performance in T1DM, with sensitivity for confirmed CAN 81.2% and sensitivity and specificity for DPN 76.3% and 78%, compared to T2DM group (all <70%). AUC for DPN of orthostatic intolerance domain was higher in T1DM compared to T2DM group (0.73±0.05 vs. 0.58±0.04, P=0.027). Conclusion COMPASS 31 is more weakly related to CAN in T2DM than in T1DM, with a fair diagnostic accuracy for confirmed CAN only in T1DM. This difference supports a multifactorial origin of symptoms and should be considered when using COMPASS 31.
UI-MoCap: An Integrated UWB-IMU Circuit Enables 3D Positioning and Enhances IMU Data Transmission

While inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based motion capture (MoCap) systems have been gaining popularity for human movement analysis, they still suffer from long-term positioning errors due to accumulated drift and inefficient data transmission via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. To address this problem, this study introduces an integrated ultrawideband (UWB)-IMU system, named UI-MoCap, designed for simultaneous 3D positioning as well as wireless IMU data transmission through UWB pulses. The UI-MoCap comprises mobile UWB tags and hardware-synchronized UWB base stations. Each UWB tag, a compact circular PCB with a 3.4cm diameter, houses a nine-axis IMU unit and a UWB transceiver for data transmission. The base stations are equipped with a UWB transceiver and an Ethernet controller, ensuring efficient reception and management of messages from multiple tags. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the system’s validity and reliability of 3D positioning and IMU data transmission. The results demonstrate that UI-MoCap achieves centimeter-level 3D positioning accuracy and maintains consistent positioning performance over time. Moreover, UI-MoCap exhibits high update rates and a minimal packet loss rate for IMU data transmission, significantly outperforming Wi-Fi-based transmission techniques. Future work will explore the fusion of UWB and IMU technologies to further enhance positioning performance, with a focus on human movement analysis and rehabilitation applications.
An analysis of the multiscale nature of tropical cyclone activities in June 2004: Climate background

[1] A record-breaking five tropical cyclones (TCs) formed in June 2004 in the western North Pacific (WNP), where June is normally a transition month to the typhoon season and therefore sensitive to climate oscillations. This special month (June 2004) was an unusual period in the developing stage of a warm (El Nino) episode and a strong convective phase of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO). Such climate background is shown to provide large-scale favorable circulations for TC formation: the warm sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) associated with developing El Nino and convective heating of the MJO to jointly induce weaker easterly trade winds and a large-scale cyclonic circulation anomaly in the WNP. A space-time filtering of the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and 850 hPa wind fields is performed to identify the MJO, Rossby waves, and mixed Rossby-gravity (MRG) waves (or tropical depression (TD)-type disturbances). From the evolution and structure of these high-frequency waves in relation to that of the MJO and the climate background, the heating and enhanced low-level cyclonic flow in the WNP associated with the MJO and climate background are attributed to the initiation, propagation, and energy dispersion of tropical Rossby and MRG-TD waves, interacting with convection. The relative importance of these large-scale waves to the five TC formations (A–E) is quantified by examining the normalized vorticity at 850 hPa and OLR at the genesis location of each TC. TCs A and C (TCs B and D) were related to the Rossby wave (the MJO), and the MRG-TD was the most related to TC E.
Ultrafast sound production mechanism in one of the smallest vertebrates

Significance Due to its small size and lifelong optical transparency, the fish Danionella cerebrum is an emerging model organism in biomedical research. How can this small vertebrate under 12 mm length produce sounds over 140 dB? We found that it possesses a unique sound production apparatus – involving a drumming cartilage, specialized rib, and fatigue-resistant muscle – which allows the fish to accelerate the drumming cartilage at extreme forces and generate rapid, loud pulses. Our finding challenges the conventional notion that the speed of vertebrate skeletal movement is limited by muscle action. Understanding this extraordinary adaptation expands our knowledge of animal motion and highlights the remarkable diversity of propulsion mechanisms across species, contributing to our broader understanding of evolutionary biology and biomechanics.
Long‐Lived Source Heterogeneities in the Galapagos Mantle Plume

Mantle plume‐derived melts provide a unique glimpse into the chemical heterogeneity of the deep mantle. However, the exact processes involved in forming and sampling lower mantle heterogeneities remain unresolved and thus, require further investigation to understand the cumulative effects of planetary differentiation, crustal recycling, and mantle mixing that lead to their formation. The Galapagos Plume is exceptional in that its lavas sample four distinct isotopic mantle components. However, the origin of each of these end‐members remains debated. In this study, we investigate the spatial and temporal appearance and evolution of these four isotopic end‐members that comprise the present‐day Archipelago by examining ancient Galapagos lava flows preserved in the accreted terranes in Costa Rica and Panama. We discovered that the spatial relationship between each of the classically defined Galapagos Domains has remained relatively constant throughout the evolution of the plume. Our new results extend the time scale of distinct isotopic heterogeneity in the source of the plume to at least 70 Ma for the Southern Domain and 90 Ma for the Central, and Northern Domains, suggesting that geochemically heterogeneous plumes rising through the mantle preserve distinct isotopic heterogeneity on the time scale of tens of millions of years. Additionally, trace element systematics of olivine crystals from the Galapagos‐related Quepos and Azuero terranes (50–70 ma) suggest derivation from sources that included recycled components. Collectively, these results suggest that mantle plumes not only sample large‐scale heterogeneities within the deep mantle, but that these source heterogeneities can remain sampled throughout the lifetime of a plume.
Urea supplementation improves mRNA in vitro transcription by decreasing both shorter and longer RNA byproducts

ABSTRACT The current letter to the editor describes the presence of RNA byproducts in small-scale in vitro transcription (IVT) reactions as evaluated by capillary gel electrophoresis, asymmetric flow field flow fractionation, immunoblotting, cell-free translation assays, and in IFN reporter cells. We compare standard T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP) based IVT reactions to two recently described protocols employing either urea supplementation or using the VSW3 RNAP. Our results indicate that urea supplementation yields considerably less RNA byproducts and positively affects the overall number of full-length transcripts. In contrast, VSW3 IVT reactions demonstrated a low yield and generated a higher fraction of truncated transcripts. Lastly, both urea mRNA and VSW3 mRNA elicited considerably less IFN responses after transfection in mouse macrophages.
Stapled Anastomosis Versus Hand-Sewn Anastomosis With Mucosectomy for Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Postoperative Outcomes, Functional Outcomes, and Oncological Safety

Purpose This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare outcomes between stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) and hand-sewn IPAA with mucosectomy in cases of ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis) guidelines 2020 and AMSTAR 2 (Assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews) guidelines. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs). Subgroup analysis was performed according to the indication for surgery. Results The bibliographic research yielded 31 trials: 3 RCTs, 5 prospective clinical trials, and 24 CCTs including 8872 patients: 4871 patients in the stapled group and 4038 in the hand-sewn group. Regarding postoperative outcomes, the stapled group had a lower rate of anastomotic stricture, small bowel obstruction, and ileal pouch failure. There were no differences between the 2 groups in terms of operative time, anastomotic leak, pelvic sepsis, pouchitis, or hospital stay. For functional outcomes, the stapled group was associated with greater outcomes in terms of seepage per day and by night, pad use, night incontinence, resting pressure, and squeeze pressure. There were no differences in stool Frequency per 24h, stool frequency at night, antidiarrheal medication, sexual impotence, or length of the high-pressure zone. There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of dysplasia and neoplasia. Conclusions Compared to hand-sewn anastomosis, stapled ileoanal anastomosis leads to a large reduction in anastomotic stricture, small bowel obstruction, ileal pouch failure, seepage by day and night, pad use, and night incontinence. This may ensure a higher resting pressure and squeeze pressure in manometry evaluation. Protocol Registration The protocol was registered at PROSPERO under CRD 42022379880.