Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Exosomes Antagonize the Inhibitory Effect of Dihydrotestosterone on Hair Follicle Growth by Activating Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

The most prevalent type of alopecia is androgenetic alopecia (AGA), which has a high prevalence but no effective treatment. Elevated dihydrotestosterone (DHT) level in the balding area was usually thought to be critical in the pathophysiology of AGA. The canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a key role in promoting hair follicle development and sustaining the hair follicle cycle. Adipose-derived stem cell exosomes (ADSC-Exos) are widely used in the field of regenerative medicine due to the advantages of being cell free and immune privileged. Still, few studies have reported the therapeutic effect on hair disorders. As a result, we sought to understand how ADSC-Exos affected hair growth and explore the possibility that ADSC-Exos could counteract the hair-growth-inhibiting effects of DHT. This research using human hair follicle organs, in vitro dermal papilla cells, and in vivo animal models showed that ADSC-Exos not only encouraged healthy hair growth but also counteracted the inhibitory effects of DHT on hair growth. Additionally, we discovered that ADSC-Exos increased Ser9 phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β levels and facilitated nuclear translocation of β-catenin, which may have been blocked by the specific Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor dickkopf-related protein 1. Our findings suggested that ADSC-Exos are essential for hair regeneration, which is anticipated to open up new therapeutic possibilities for clinical alopecia, particularly for the treatment of AGA.
Permeability prediction based on induced polarization: Insights from measurements on sandstone and unconsolidated samples spanning a wide permeability range

ABSTRACTWe have compared various induced polarization (IP) models for permeability prediction of the same general form that were all based on two parameters, the first being an electric substitute of effective porosity (the formation factor) and the second being an electric proxy of pore-normalized surface area (the imaginary part of electric conductivity). These models (empirically derived and based on mechanistic formulations) were applied to an extensive database acquired on sandstones and unconsolidated sandy materials. Whereas previous studies on permeability prediction mainly concentrated on either sandstone or unconsolidated sediments, we investigated a database composed of 94 samples including sandstones and unconsolidated material. Most of the samples in the database were saturated with a NaCl solution with an electric conductivity close to 100 mS/m. Samples with a saturating fluid that deviated from this composition were corrected using recently published relationships describing the IP depende.
Stability and Removal of Commonly Used Drugs in Environmental Water and Wastewater

: Introduction: Pharmaceuticals are regarded as emerging contaminants in the environment. In recent years, their destiny and removal have piqued people’s interest. Methods: Examine how well conventional wastewater treatment facilities and cutting-edge technologies (ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis) can remove specific pharmaceutical compounds from water, with a focus on the compounds' environmental status, their origin, deterioration, metabolites, and the capacities of these facilities. Results and discussion: the ability and efficacy of sophisticated treatment technologies such as membrane separation, adsorption
Pourquoi gérer la végétation forestière

Pourquoi se préoccuper de la végétation forestière, en dehors des arbres des essences objectifs ? Pourquoi vouloir la gérer ? Telles sont les deux questions préalables de ces journées scientifiques et techniques de l’INRA dont le thème aurait encore été inenvisageable il y a moins de dix ans. Il est attendu de l’administration forestière la présentation d’enjeux convaincants au regard de la politique forestière, conduisant à des décisions clairement et univoquement assumées.
The Role of Bone-Anchored Hearing Devices and Remote Microphones in Children with Congenital Unilateral Hearing Loss

Congenital unilateral hearing loss (UHL) represents a contemporary audiologic challenge. Children with UHL can struggle with understanding speech in noise, localizing sounds, developing language, and maintaining academic performance, leading to low self-esteem, anxiety, and decreased social support. Two specific conditions related to UHL in children are single-sided deafness (SSD) and unilateral auris atresia (UAA). This was a retrospective observational study on a group of children with UHL. The Simplified Italian Matrix Sentence Test was used for the assessment of speech reception threshold (SRT) in different conditions: speech and noise from the front (S0N0), speech at 45° from the side of the better ear and noise at 45° from the opposite side (SbNw), and vice versa (SwNb). Each test was conducted unaided, with a bone-anchored hearing device (BAHD), and with a remote microphone (RM) system. The use of a BAHD and RM led to an improvement in SRT in S0N0 and SwNb conditions. The SSD subgroup demonstrated significant benefits with both devices in SwNb, and the UAA subgroup from the use of BAHD in S0N0. In conclusion, the study underscores the potential benefits of both devices in enhancing speech perception for UHL children, providing insights into effective intervention strategies for these challenging cases.
Commentary: “Physical time within human time” and “Bridging the neuroscience and physics of time”

COPYRIGHT © 2023 Grondin. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. Commentary: “Physical time within human time” and “Bridging the neuroscience and physics of time”
Circulation and Variability at the Southern Boundary of the Brazil Basin

As a contribution to the WOCE Deep Basin Experiment, an array of current meters with individual record lengths exceeding ii years was set across the southern boundary of the Brazil Basin between early 1991 and early 1996. The array spanned the Santos Plateau, the Vema Channel, and the Hunter Channel, all areas believed to be important for transport of Antarctic Bottom Water between the Argentine and Brazil Basins. From the combination of geostrophic velocities computed from hydrographic stations and those directly measured, the total transport of bottom water (potential temperature below 2 degrees C) is estimated to be about 6.9 Sv (Sv = 10(6) m(3) s(-1)) northward, with about 4 Sv coming through the Vema Channel and the remainder through the Hunter Channel. Properties of the eddy field are also discussed. Eddy energy levels and their spatial distribution are similar to comparable regimes in the North Atlantic. Integral timescales vary from a few days to several weeks with distance from the Brazil Current and the western boundary. The eddy heat Bur is in the same direction as the heat advection by the mean flow but considerably smaller.
Fire regime and post-fire Normalized Difference Vegetation Index changes in the eastern Iberian peninsula (Mediterranean basin)

Fire occurrence in Mediterranean landscapes has been studied widely. Despite this, a specific monitor- ing of vegetation recovery after recurrent fires by means of satellite images has been developed to a lesser extent. With the use of Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS) techniques and multi-temporal Landsat images of the area of Ayora (287 700 ha) in Valencia (Eastern Spain), between the years 1984 and 1999, we studied the post-fire regeneration of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in areas subjected to different fire recurrences. Emphasis is given to the effect of time since fire, precipitation, and bedrock types on post-fire NDVI changes. Results suggest that for the first 7 years after a single fire, NDVI depends mainly on the time since fire (post-fire regeneration), whereas environmental parameters (precipitation and bedrock type) are of little relevance. After this period, precip- itation begins to have a direct influence on the NDVI. In patches burned twice, with fire intervals of 8 and 9 years, NDVI is also controlled by the time since fire. Furthermore, NDVI recovery is faster after the first fire than after the second fire, suggesting that fire recurrence has a negative impact on the resilience of these communities. Bedrock type did not show any effect on NDVI after fire. These findings contribute to the understanding of Mediterranean landscape dynamics and provide evidence for the usefulness of NDVI in post-fire regeneration assessment, and the possible negative effects of the increasing fire recurrences observed in the last decades.
Simulated tropospheric NOx : Its evaluation, global distribution and individual source contributions

Using the 11-level Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory global chemical transport model, we simulate global tropospheric fields of NO x , peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), HNO 3 , and NO y , as well as the deposition of nitrate, extensively evaluate them against available observations from surface stations and aircraft missions, and quantify the contributions of individual natural and anthropogenic sources. The patterns and magnitudes of simulated and observed HNO 3 wet deposition are generally in good agreement around the globe. Scatterplots of model simulations versus aircraft observations for NO x and NO y find ∼50% of the points within ±25%, find -75% within ±50%, and show no systematic global biases. Both simulated and observed vertical profiles have similar shapes with high levels (∼1 ppbv or greater) in the polluted boundary layer (BL), very low values in the remote BL, and values increasing from the middle to the upper troposphere. Simulated NO y HNO 3 , and NO x + PAN are also in good agreement with extensive lower free tropospheric ( ) observations made at Mauna Loa Observatory. In general, the level of agreement between simulation and observation is as good as the agreement between separate, but simultaneous, observations of NO, NO x or NO y As previous studies have shown, fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning control NO x levels in most of the lower half of the troposphere with a significant contribution from biogenic emissions. The exceptions are the remote low-NO x regions where BL and FT sources make comparable contributions. Unlike most previous studies, we find that the much smaller in situ FT sources generally dominate in the upper half of the troposphere. Lightning dominates in the tropics and summertime midlatitudes, and stratospheric injection is the major source in the summer high latitudes. The exception is transported emissions from fossil fuel combustion, which dominate in winter high latitudes. Though seldom dominant, aircraft emissions do have a significant impact on the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere of the northern hemisphere extratropics.
Quantification of grassland properties: how it can benefit from geoinformatic technologies?

The emergence of advanced geoinformatic techniques raises the feasibility of successfully quantifying grassland properties. Accurate quantification of these parameters faces opportunities and challenges, both of which are reviewed critically in this paper. The principle of quantifying grassland properties is presented first, together with the requirements, followed by a review of the grassland properties (percentage grass cover, grassland biomass and grassland degradation) that have been quantified. Assessment of quantification accuracy has evolved from reliance on the R 2 value of regression analysis to comparison against independent samples, with the highest accuracy being 89%. Achievement of higher accuracy is hindered by three obstacles, namely positional uncertainty of in situ samples, differential ground and image sampling intervals, and temporal irreversibility of historical satellite images. It is proposed that the global positioning system (GPS) be used to handle the first challenge, and hyperspatial resolution images to minimize disparity in the sampling intervals. The third challenge should be tackled through radiometric calibration of historic images based on invariant ground targets. With the emergence of hyperspectral imagery (e.g. AVIRIS and CASI), more grassland features (e.g. grassland productivity and carrying capacity) can be quantified in the future in a geographic information system (GIS). It is concluded that advances in the geoinformatic technology will enable more grassland properties to be quantified more accurately.
Chapitre 6. Les aspects spatiaux et environnementaux de l’agriculture biologique

La protection de l’environnement (pris dans toutes ses composantes physiques, chimiques, biologiques, humaines) est l’un des objectifs majeurs mis en avant par les défenseurs de l’agriculture biologique (AB), au même titre que la qualité des aliments, la santé des exploitants ou encore la rentabilité économique de l’exploitation. En ce sens, l’AB est souvent qualifiée d’agriculture durable et apparaît comme un mode de production à promouvoir.
αV-Integrin-Dependent Inhibition of Glioblastoma Cell Migration, Invasion and Vasculogenic Mimicry by the uPAcyclin Decapeptide

Simple Summary Glioblastoma is the most devastating and widespread primary central nervous system tumor and there is a compelling need for innovative and effective therapeutic strategies. The remarkable vascularization sustaining this malignancy occurs through different mechanisms, including vasculogenic mimicry, i.e., the non-endothelial formation of new vessels, that is a promising therapeutic target. This study provides evidence that the recently described anti-invasive uPAcyclin decapeptide is remarkably active in reducing migration, invasion, and vasculogenic mimicry formation by human glioblastoma cells. These findings uncover novel uPAcyclin activities and provide a strong rationale for further clinical studies. Abstract Among the deadliest human cancers is glioblastoma (GBM) for which new treatment approaches are urgently needed. Here, the effects of the cyclic decapeptide, uPAcyclin, are investigated using the U87-MG, U251-MG, and U138-MG human GBM and C6 rat cell models. All GBM cells express the αV-integrin subunit, the target of uPAcyclin, and bind specifically to nanomolar concentrations of the decapeptide. Although peptide exposure affects neither viability nor cell proliferation rate, nanomolar concentrations of uPAcyclin markedly inhibit the directional migration and matrix invasion of all GBM cells, in a concentration- and αV-dependent manner. Moreover, wound healing rate closure of U87-MG and C6 rat glioma cells is reduced by 50% and time-lapse videomicroscopy studies show that the formation of vascular-like structures by U87-MG in three-dimensional matrix cultures is markedly inhibited by uPAcyclin. A strong reduction in the branching point numbers of the U87-MG, C6, and U251-MG cell lines undergoing vasculogenic mimicry, in the presence of nanomolar peptide concentrations, was observed. Lysates from matrix-recovered uPAcyclin-exposed cells exhibit a reduced expression of VE-cadherin, a prominent factor in the acquisition of vascular-like structures. In conclusion, these results indicate that uPAcyclin is a promising candidate to counteract the formation of new vessels in novel targeted anti-GBM therapies.
Mammal and Land Bird Studies on Camiguin Island, Philippines: Background and Conservation Priorities

Abstract Camiguin Island, with an area of ca. 265 km2 and maximum elevation of ca. 1620 m, lies about 10 km north of Mindanao but is isolated from Mindanao by a deep (385 m) channel. It originated from volcanic activity as a dryland island not earlier than 1 million years ago, but most growth of the island has occurred within the past 340,000 years. Current landforms are dominated by large, scenic volcanic peaks, several of which are active. Lowland rain forest originally occurred up to about 1100 m elevation, with montane rain forest from 1100 m to about 1350 m and mossy forest from 1350 m to the peaks. By the mid-1990s, deforestation had removed most natural vegetation below about 600 m, with degree of disturbance to forest decreasing with elevation and ending at about 1250 m. The climate is tropical, with rainfall of 2–3 m per year in the lowlands and probably about 7.5 m near the peaks. Mammal and/or bird specimens are available from 18 sites from the 1960s and 1990s; these sites are here located and described to the extent possible. Given the presence of two endemic species of mammals (one described in this volume), one endemic bird (described in this volume), and previously described endemic plants and a frog, Camiguin is one of the smallest but most distinctive centers of biodiversity in the Philippines and should be a priority site for conservation. The remaining forest on Camiguin is essential habitat for these unique species, but it is also essential for watershed protection and control of floods and landslides, and it contributes significantly to the tourism trade that provides substantial income on the island. Deforestation for logging and agriculture and overhunting are current threats. A protected area on the island should include the full range of original habitat diversity, which would encompass both the existing high-quality forest at upper elevations and also significant tracts of disturbed but natural lowland forest, especially along rivers and streams, that should be allowed to regenerate in the future.
Soil-vegetation relationships on a sequence of sand dunes, Tautuku Beach, South-east Otago, New Zealand

Abstract Soil development and plant commumtJes are described on three sand dunes estimated to be 130, 440 and 1,000 years old, respectively, at Tautuku Bay, Southeast Otago. A comparison of chemical and morphological properties of soils beneath a plant sequence from {itAmmophila armaria} through low forest of {itMetrosideros umbellata} and other broadleaved tree species to tall forest of {itWeinmannia racemosa} and {itM. umbellata} with occasional podocarps, shows an increase in organic matter from less than one to greater than 40%C, and a decline in pH from 8.0 to 4.3.
Structure-Function Characterisation of Eop1 Effectors from the Erwinia-Pantoea Clade Reveals They May Acetylate Their Defence Target through a Catalytic Dyad

The YopJ group of acetylating effectors from phytopathogens of the genera Pseudomonas and Ralstonia have been widely studied to understand how they modify and suppress their host defence targets. In contrast, studies on a related group of effectors, the Eop1 group, lag far behind. Members of the Eop1 group are widely present in the Erwinia-Pantoea clade of Gram-negative bacteria, which contains phytopathogens, non-pathogens and potential biocontrol agents, implying that they may play an important role in agroecological or pathological adaptations. The lack of research in this group of YopJ effectors has left a significant knowledge gap in their functioning and role. For the first time, we perform a comparative analysis combining AlphaFold modelling, in planta transient expressions and targeted mutational analyses of the Eop1 group effectors from the Erwinia-Pantoea clade, to help elucidate their likely activity and mechanism(s). This integrated study revealed several new findings, including putative binding sites for inositol hexakisphosphate and acetyl coenzyme A and newly postulated target-binding domains, and raises questions about whether these effectors function through a catalytic triad mechanism. The results imply that some Eop1s may use a catalytic dyad acetylation mechanism that we found could be promoted by the electronegative environment around the active site.
Real-Time Sensor-Embedded Neural Network for Human Activity Recognition

This article introduces a novel approach to human activity recognition (HAR) by presenting a sensor that utilizes a real-time embedded neural network. The sensor incorporates a low-cost microcontroller and an inertial measurement unit (IMU), which is affixed to the subject’s chest to capture their movements. Through the implementation of a convolutional neural network (CNN) on the microcontroller, the sensor is capable of detecting and predicting the wearer’s activities in real-time, eliminating the need for external processing devices. The article provides a comprehensive description of the sensor and the methodology employed to achieve real-time prediction of subject behaviors. Experimental results demonstrate the accuracy and high inference performance of the proposed solution for real-time embedded activity recognition.
Tectonic implications of metamorphism and gravity field in the Penokean Orogen of northern Michigan

Published geologic data, together with new metamorphic pressure and temperature data and gravity data, provide strong evidence for northward directed thrusting of Lower Proterozoic rocks in northern Michigan and Wisconsin. Metamorphic studies indicate pressures of 7 kbar at Watersmeet node and 4 kbar at the Peavy node. The Republic metamorphic node, located 30 km to the north of Peavy, attained pressures of 2–3 kbar. All three metamorphic highs reached temperatures in the range of 600°–650°C and are correlated with areas of negative gravity anomalies relative to surrounding regions. In the Peavy high the center of the gravity anomaly lies on the sillimanite isograd, and we suggest that the source of this negative anomaly may be remobilized underlying Archean gneiss. The highest grade rocks of the Republic node lie well within a residual gravity anomaly, which is interpreted to have a very shallow source, and the Watersmeet high lies above gneiss domes which show negative gravity anomalies. A north-south geologic cross section constructed from a two-dimensional gravity model, which extends northward from the Dunbar dome in the magmatic arc terrane of Wisconsin, across a terrane boundary interpreted as a suture and marked by the Niagara fault, and across the Peavy metamorphic node, suggests that the Dunbar dome was transported northward onto the continental foreland during the Penokean orogenic event. These north verging fold-thrust sheets or nappes produced prominent tectonic thickening at the Peavy and Watersmeet, as indicated by the relatively high metamorphic pressures there. The thrust sheets evidently thinned to the north, as suggested by the relatively low pressures at Republic. We suggest that the Archean continental edge, defined by the steep gradient in the regional northeast trending gravity high, lies beneath the magmatic rocks of Wisconsin and thus extends south of the Niagara fault suture.
Sand and silt grains: Predetermination of their formation and properties by microfractures in quartz

Abstract Examination of quartz from plutonic source rocks, sediments and soils, using both optical and scanning electron microscopes, reveals that the mineral is, almost always, cut by sets of partially healed, subplanar, subparallel microfractures dividing it into sheets typically one to a few micrometres thick. The structure, which originates in source rocks, is not due to crystal cleavage although it does show weak crystallo‐graphic influence in its directions. One to several sets of microfractures, intersecting at varying angles, can be present in any one quartz crystal. The microfractures vary in quality like cleavages; separation takes place readily along some, less so along others. In superficial environments, the ease with which microfractures can be reopened largely controls the durability of quartz and the degree to which comminution can proceed. However, this type of breakage must cease when grains are one sheet thick (about 2–20 Mm in diameter). Hence quartz suddenly changes from being the dom.