Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Depth reconstruction for 3D light-field display based on axially distributed light field

Abstract. Continuous depth maps are reconstructed based on depth estimation from light-field data of axially distributed image sensing (ADS). In the proposed method, the light field of ADS is introduced, and the light-field trajectory function is presented, which formulates the relationship between image point positions in different axially captured images and the depth of object point. The depth value of an object is achieved by searching the light-field trajectory through statistical regression, which leads to an accurate depth estimation by making use of the structure information among the densely sampled views in light-field data. Moreover, as regions with smooth texture and occlusions do not contain reliable depth information, an energy minimization-based depth map optimization is carried out from initial estimations to obtain continuous and robust depth maps. Experimental results demonstrate that the reconstructed depth maps are accurate, continuous, and able to preserve more details. Moreover, the synthesized light-field images calculated by reconstructed depth map show good effect in 3D light-field display, and the validity of the proposed method is verified.
Solid-state block-based pulsed laser illuminator for single-photon avalanche diode detection-based time-of-flight 3D range imaging

Abstract. A laser diode illuminator for single-photon avalanche diode detection-based pulsed time-of-flight 3D range imaging is presented. The illuminator supports a block-based illumination scheme and consists of a 16-element custom-designed common anode quantum-well laser diode bar working in the enhanced gain switching regime and lasing at ∼810 nm. The laser diode elements are separately addressable and driven with gallium nitride drivers, which produce current pulses with a width of ∼2 ns; the current pulse amplitude was estimated from the supply voltage (90 V) as 5 to 10 A. Cylindrical optics are used to produce a total illumination field-of-view of 40 × 10 deg2 (full width at half maximum) in 16 separately addressable blocks. With a laser pulsing frequency of 256 kHz and laser pulse energy of ∼8.5 nJ, the average optical illumination power of the transmitter is 2.2 mW.
Are misinformation, antiscientific claims, and conspiracy theories for political extremists?

Extremist political groups, especially “extreme” Republicans and conservatives, are increasingly charged with believing misinformation, antiscientific claims, and conspiracy theories to a greater extent than moderates and those on the political left by both a burgeoning scholarly literature and popular press accounts. However, previous investigations of the relationship between political orientations and alternative beliefs have been limited in their operationalization of those beliefs and political extremity. We build on existing literature by examining the relationships between partisan and nonpartisan conspiracy beliefs and symbolic and operational forms of political extremity. Using two large, nationally representative samples of Americans, we find that ideological extremity predicts alternative beliefs only when the beliefs in question are partisan in nature and the measure of ideology is identity-based. Moreover, we find that operational ideological extremism is negatively related to nonpartisan conspiracy beliefs. Our findings help reconcile discrepant findings regarding the relationship between political orientations and conspiracy beliefs.
Existence of a solution of Hilfer fractional hybrid problems via new Krasnoselskii-type fixed point theorems

Abstract This work intends to treat the existence of mild solutions for the Hilfer fractional hybrid differential equation (HFHDE) with linear perturbation of first and second type in partially ordered Banach spaces. First, we establish the results concerning the actuality of fixed point of sum and product of operators via the concepts of measure of noncompactness and simulation functions in partially ordered spaces. Then combining these fixed point theorems with the concepts in fractional calculus, new existence results for mild solutions of HFHDE’s are established. Furthermore, the presented fixed point results and existence results improve and extend the present state-of-art in the literature. Competent examples in support of theory are illustrated for better understanding.
Reconstructing unobserved cellular states from paired single-cell lineage tracing and transcriptomics data

Novel experimental assays now simultaneously measure lineage relationships and transcriptomic states from single cells, thanks to CRISPR/Cas9-based genome engineering. These multimodal measurements allow researchers not only to build comprehensive phylogenetic models relating all cells but also infer transcriptomic determinants of consequential subclonal behavior. The gene expression data, however, is limited to cells that are currently present (“leaves” of the phylogeny). As a consequence, researchers cannot form hypotheses about unobserved, or “ancestral”, states that gave rise to the observed population. To address this, we introduce TreeVAE: a probabilistic framework for estimating ancestral transcriptional states. TreeVAE uses a variational autoencoder (VAE) to model the observed transcriptomic data while accounting for the phylogenetic relationships between cells. Using simulations, we demonstrate that TreeVAE outperforms benchmarks in reconstructing ancestral states on several metrics. TreeVAE also provides a measure of uncertainty, which we demonstrate to correlate well with its prediction accuracy. This estimate therefore potentially provides a data-driven way to estimate how far back in the ancestor chain predictions could be made. Finally, using real data from lung cancer metastasis, we show that accounting for phylogenetic relationship between cells improves goodness of fit. Together, TreeVAE provides a principled framework for reconstructing unobserved cellular states from single cell lineage tracing data.
FGF21 Response Varies by Sugar Type and is Associated with Body Weight, Dietary Added Sugar, and Neural Signaling in Humans

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a liver-derived hormone that regulates energy homeostasis. In humans, few studies have investigated whether FGF21 may act to suppress sugar intake and influence eating behavior, and the effects of adiposity on post-ingestive FGF21 regulation of appetite are unknown. Here, we demonstrate among two cohorts of healthy, young adults that acute oral fructose and sucrose compared to glucose lead to greater circulating FGF21. Moreover, high compared to low dietary added sugar intake is associated with greater sucrose-stimulated FGF21 among participants with healthy weight but attenuated in people with overweight and obesity. In addition, our study is the first to demonstrate associations between circulating FGF21 and neural signaling following an acute sucrose load among humans with healthy weight. Collectively, our results suggest that these potential compensatory relationships between sucrose-stimulated circulating FGF21, habitual sugar intake, and post-ingestive brain responses may be altered among adults with overweight and obesity. Significance Statement Animal models have established FGF21 as an autoregulator of sweet consumption, but few studies have examined post-ingestive FGF21 effects in humans. In this report, we demonstrate a compensatory relationship between sucrose-stimulated FGF21 and high dietary added sugar intake through a potential liver-to-brain negative-feedback cycle among healthy, young adults. Notably, our findings also suggest that humans with overweight and obesity may have altered FGF21 neuroendocrine signaling.
Cryptic speciation in freshwaters: are speciation in lentic species shaped by paleohydrological events?

The Indian subcontinent is extremely diverse in terms of its flora and fauna. However, there is a severe underestimation of the biotic diversity in invertebrate groups as well as a lack of understanding of the processes generating diversity in these groups. Here we aimed to jointly estimate the cryptic diversity of two freshwater snail species complexes – Pila globosa and Pila virens, and uncover the processes behind the speciation in these groups. We employed phylogenetic, morphometric, population genetic and niche modelling technique to address these questions. We found out that both species complexes consist of several genetically and ecologically distinct putative species. The speciation was primarily driven by allopatric isolation into different river basins. A combination of paleoclimatic and paleohydrological changes during the Miocene have shaped the speciation events. Local climatic adaptation also could have contributed towards some of the speciation events. The study sheds light on the complex interaction between the biology of the species and the environment that shape the diversification patterns in a group.
Three-Dimensional Culture of Ameloblast-Originated HAT-7 Cells for Functional Modeling of Defective Tooth Enamel Formation

Background: Amelogenesis, the formation of dental enamel, is well understood at the histomorphological level but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly characterized. Ameloblasts secrete enamel matrix proteins and Ca2+, and also regulate extracellular pH as the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals generates large quantities of protons. Genetic or environmental impairment of transport and regulatory processes (e.g. dental fluorosis) leads to the development of enamel defects such as hypomineralization. Aims: Our aims were to optimize the culture conditions for the three-dimensional growth of ameloblast-derived HAT-7 cells and to test the effects of fluoride exposure on HAT-7 spheroid formation. Methods: To generate 3D HAT-7 structures, cells were dispersed and plated within a Matrigel extracellular matrix scaffold and incubated in three different culture media. Spheroid formation was then monitored over a two-week period. Ion transporter and tight-junction protein expression was investigated by RT-qPCR. Intracellular Ca2+ and pH changes were measured by microfluorometry using the fluorescent dyes fura-2 and BCECF. Results: A combination of Hepato-STIM epithelial cell differentiation medium and Matrigel induced the expansion and formation of 3D HAT-7 spheroids. The cells retained their epithelial cell morphology and continued to express both ameloblast-specific and ion transport-specific marker genes. Furthermore, like two-dimensional HAT-7 monolayers, the HAT-7 spheroids were able to regulate their intracellular pH and to show intracellular calcium responses to extracellular stimulation. Finally, we demonstrated that HAT-7 spheroids may serve as a disease model for studying the effects of fluoride exposure during amelogenesis. Conclusion: In conclusion, HAT-7 cells cultivated within a Matrigel extracellular matrix form three-dimensional, multi-cellular, spheroidal structures that retain their functional capacity for pH regulation and intracellular Ca2+ signaling. This new 3D model will allow us to gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in amelogenesis, not only in health but also in disorders of enamel formation, such as those resulting from fluoride exposure.
Blood Sampling From Rat Ileal Mesenteric Vein Revealed a Major Role of Dietary Protein in Meal-Induced GLP-1 Response

The present study was conducted to examine region-dependent glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) responses to “meal ingestion” under physiological (conscious and unrestrained) conditions using rats with a catheter inserted into either the portal vein (PV) or the ileal mesenteric vein (ILMV). After recovery from the cannulation surgery, blood samples were collected from either PV or ILMV catheter before and after the voluntary ingestion of test diets. After an AIN-93G standard diet ingestion, GLP-1 concentration was higher in ILMV than in PV, and postprandial responses of peptide-YY (PYY) had similar trend, while that of glucose dependent-insulinotropic polypeptide showed an opposite trend to GLP-1/PYY responses. In a separated experiment, a protein-enriched diet containing casein at 25% wt/wt transiently increased GLP-1 concentration only in ILMV; however, a protein-free diet did not increase GLP-1 concentrations in PV or ILMV. These results indicate that postprandial GLP-1 is immediately released from the distal intestine under physiological conditions, and that dietary protein has a critical role in the enhancement of postprandial GLP-1 response.
Correlation Between Skin and Affected Organs in 52 Sclerodermic Patients Followed in a Diseases Management Team: Development of a Risk Prediction Model of Organ-Specific Complications

Objective To identify the existence of a correlation among the various organs affected, focusing primarily on immuno-dermatological aspects, and to create a risk prediction model of organ-specific complications. Material and Methods Fifty-two patients with stable scleroderma, followed between 2015 and 2019, were investigated through an extensive multidisciplinary evaluation in the last year. Results Patients with lung involvement presented a worse degree of skin fibrosis than patients without it (p <0.001). No relationship was observed for the heart, kidney, and esophagus. Patients with pulmonary involvement had a lower pressure of the low esophagus sphincter and a higher Warrick score than patients without it (p <0.05). Age was significantly higher in patients with kidney involvement. Diffuse scleroderma patients had a worse pulmonary impairment than limited scleroderma patients (p <0.05). The manometric “sclerodermic” pattern was observed to be the most frequent (55.6%, p <0.05) in dcSSc patients while the sclerodermic and normal pattern were equally represented (41.2 and 32.4% respectively, p <0.05) in lcSSc patients. When compared to the negative serological groups, anti-Scl-70 positive patients presented a worse lung involvement while anti-centromere patients presented a better lung outcome (p <0.05). PM-Scl 100/75 positive patients presented mostly a pulmonary fibrotic pattern (p <0.05) and, also, heart complications were more likely associated with anti PM-Scl 100/75 positivity (p <0.05). The risk prediction model for organ-specific complications had an accuracy of 84.4% (95%CI 78, 89) in complication-site prediction, AUC of 0.871, 86% of sensitivity, and 83% of specificity, Cohen’s Kappa (k) of 0.68. Conclusions Out of all the organs studied, the skin is the one that correlates with the lung. Patients with a diffuse form of disease presented more frequently the anti Scl-70 antibody and had a worse lung and esophageal involvement (scleroderma pattern) than the negative group. Conversely, patients with limited disease presented all positive for the anti-centromere antibody with a better lung involvement than the negative group, without any difference among the esophageal manometric pattern. Anti PM-Scl 100/75 antibody patients were associated with pulmonary fibrosis and presented cardiac involvement. The model created has demonstrated excellent values of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, but further studies are needed for validation.
Effect of the Expression of ELOVL5 and IGFBP6 Genes on the Metastatic Potential of Breast Cancer Cells

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of death from malignant neoplasms among women worldwide, and metastatic BC presents the biggest problems for treatment. Previously, it was shown that lower expression of ELOVL5 and IGFBP6 genes is associated with a higher risk of the formation of distant metastases in BC. In this work, we studied the change in phenotypical traits, as well as in the transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of BC cells as a result of the stable knockdown of ELOVL5 and IGFBP6 genes. The knockdown of ELOVL5 and IGFBP6 genes was found to lead to a strong increase in the expression of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) MMP1. These results were in good agreement with the correlation analysis of gene expression in tumor samples from patients and were additionally confirmed by zymography. The knockdown of ELOVL5 and IGFBP6 genes was also discovered to change the expression of a group of genes involved in the formation of intercellular contacts. In particular, the expression of the CDH11 gene was markedly reduced, which also complies with the correlation analysis. The spheroid formation assay showed that intercellular adhesion decreased as a result of the knockdown of the ELOVL5 and IGFBP6 genes. Thus, the obtained data indicate that malignant breast tumors with reduced expression of the ELOVL5 and IGFBP6 genes can metastasize with a higher probability due to a more efficient invasion of tumor cells.
Paint It Red - A Multimethod Study of the Nudging Effect of Coloured Cycle Lanes

Many countries colour their cycle lanes, but there is still a lack of research into the impact of this policy. Rather than constraining or regulating movement, coloured asphalt conveys information, and can serve as a good example of a “nudge”. In transport, there are few good examples of effective nudges for improved safety or sustainability. We used a multi-method approach to study the behaviour and experiences of cyclists before and after cycle lanes were coloured using red asphalt. Video data were collected and analysed to measure the extent to which motorists stopped in the cycle lane; motorist distance from the cycle lane on passing; and bicycle placement in the cycle lane. Cyclists (n = 1583) were asked how they experienced the cycle lane in field surveys. GPS data from cyclists (n = 2448) was used to measure whether colouring the cycle lanes resulted in a change of cyclists’ route choice. Video data showed no significant decrease in the share of passing motorists who stopped in the cycle lane. However, there was a significant decrease in the share of motorists stopping in the cycle lane rather than in the car lane or on the pavement. After recoating, motorists also kept a greater distance from the cycle lane; a greater share of cyclists chose to cycle in the cycle lane and a lower share cycled on the pavement. Analysis of survey data showed that visibility, perceived safety and ease of visualisation improved more in the recoated streets than in control streets. Analysis of the GPS data revealed a significant increase in cycling in the first streets to get red asphalt, with mixed results for the later streets. We discuss possible mechanisms behind the effects observed, and whether coloured cycle lanes can be considered as a form of nudging.
Severe Air Pollution and Psychological Distress in China: The Interactive Effects of Coping and Perceived Controllability

The coping styles of focusing on a stressor (i.e., trauma focus), and moving beyond the emotional impact of a stressor (i.e., forward focus), have both been found beneficial to psychological adjustment. This study investigated whether these two coping styles are similarly associated with adjustment across levels of perceived controllability and beyond European-American contexts. During China’s peak of air pollution in 2014, we surveyed 250 young- to middle- aged adults online to measure their coping behaviors, smog perceptions, and psychological distress, and collected objective data of pollution severity in the respondents’ cities. Results showed that forward-focus coping was generally associated with lower distress and trauma-focus coping was associated with greater distress. Perceived controllability significantly moderated the associations between trauma focus (but not forward focus) and distress. These findings suggest that while forward focus correlated with beneficial adjustment outcomes in coping with air pollution, the extensive processing of event-related cognitions and emotions in trauma focus may be detrimental, especially for events perceived to be less controllable. We discussed the implications of our findings within an interdependent cultural context.
Reduction of Low-Frequency Vessel Noise in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Low-frequency sound from large vessels is a major, global source of ocean noise that can interfere with acoustic communication for a variety of marine animals. Changes in vessel activity provide opportunities to quantify relationships between vessel traffic levels and soundscape conditions in biologically important habitats. Using continuous deep-sea (890 m) recordings acquired ∼20 km (closest point of approach) from offshore shipping lanes, we observed reduction of low-frequency noise within Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (California, United States) associated with changes in vessel traffic during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Acoustic modeling shows that the recording site receives low-frequency vessel noise primarily from the regional shipping lanes rather than via the Sound Fixing and Ranging (SOFAR) channel. Monthly geometric means and percentiles of spectrum levels in the one-third octave band centered at 63 Hz during 2020 were compared with those from the same months of 2018–2019. Spectrum levels were persistently and significantly lower during February through July 2020, although a partial rebound in ambient noise levels was indicated by July. Mean spectrum levels during 2020 were more than 1 dB re 1 μPa2 Hz–1 below those of a previous year during 4 months. The lowest spectrum levels, in June 2020, were as much as 1.9 (mean) and 2.4 (25% exceedance level) dB re 1 μPa2 Hz–1 below levels of previous years. Spectrum levels during 2020 were significantly correlated with large-vessel total gross tonnage derived from economic data, summed across all California ports (r = 0.81, p < 0.05; adjusted r2 = 0.58). They were more highly correlated with regional presence of large vessels, quantified from Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel tracking data weighted according to vessel speed and modeled acoustic transmission loss (r = 0.92, p < 0.01; adjusted r2 = 0.81). Within the 3-year study period, February–June 2020 exhibited persistently quiet low-frequency noise and anomalously low statewide port activity and regional large-vessel presence. The results illustrate the ephemeral nature of noise pollution by documenting how it responds rapidly to changes in offshore large-vessel traffic, and how this anthropogenic imprint reaches habitat remote from major ports and shipping lanes.