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Label-free, machine-learning assisted impedance assessment of basophil activation.
No full textFood allergies are increasing in prevalence, yet current diagnostic tests remain either inaccurate or potentially unsafe. The basophil activation test (BAT) has emerged as a promising functional assay, involving the stimulation of whole blood with allergens and subsequent measurement of basophil activation. The BAT has been shown to have high diagnostic accuracy. However, clinical adoption of the BAT has been limited, in part due to logistical constraints, including the requirement for fresh blood and reliance on conventional flow cytometry analysis (FCA) of fluorescently labeled activation markers such as CD63 and CD203c. Despite recent advances in automation, FCA remains restricted to research and high-complexity clinical laboratories. Label-free, electronics-based sensing platforms have the potential to offer simpler operations and broaden the adoption of the BAT. In this study, we demonstrate the potential of label-free impedance flow cytometry (IFC) combined with machine learning for predicting basophil activation status. We measure impedance at six different frequencies (spanning 0.1 MHz to 24 MHz) in human basophils stimulated with different doses of stimulants from N = 15 anonymous donors. We compare IFC measurements with activation levels measured in FCA. By combining with machine learning models, we demonstrate strong correlation between IFC metrics and activation levels measured in FCA with Pearson correlation coefficient up to 0.89, and accurate classification of a positive or negative BAT result with a true positive rate (TPR) of 96% and a true negative rate (TNR) of 88%
Rapid deglacial retreat of a regional scale ice stream and late Holocene readvance in Vincennes Bay, east Antarctica
Get PDFVincennes Bay provides a unique opportunity to understand the role of bed topography on modulating deglaciation in East Antarctica. Here, one of the deepest troughs on the margin (Vanderford Trough), lies adjacent to a terrestrially grounded, independent ice dome (Law Dome). Thus, we contrast the deglacial history of these systems and provide insights into future ice loss in parts of the continent underlain by large subglacial basins.We use multibeam bathymetry to map the ice retreat of these systems and cosmogenic nuclide dating onshore, to constrain timing. Bedforms suggest at least two phases of retreat across the continental shelf, separated by a large mid-shelf ridge. Seaward of the ridge, bedforms evidence ice sheet expansion to the continental shelf break. Landward of the ridge distinct bedforms, combined with synchronous exposure of the Windmill Islands and Snyder Rocks ∼10 ka, are consistent with a Marine Ice Sheet Instability style retreat into the overdeepened troughs.This timing evidences a distinct difference in deglacial histories in East Antarctica, with regions east of 60°E stabilising several thousand years earlier than to the west. We explore drivers of this divergence, including the potential for continental shelf geometry to limit warm water incursion to overdeepened grounding lines.Lastly, a gap in exposure age distribution and the reworking of marine material into modern day shear moraines suggest the western margin of Law Dome was retreated further than present ∼5.7 to 2.3 ka, with re-advance potentially driven by a strengthening of easterly winds after ∼4 ka
Mechanical coordination between anaphase A and B drives asymmetric chromosome segregation
No full textChromosome segregation during anaphase occurs through two mechanistically distinct processes: anaphase A, in which chromosomes move toward spindle poles, and anaphase B, in which the anaphase spindle elongates through cortical astral microtubule pulling forces. Caenorhabditis elegans embryos have been thought to rely primarily on anaphase B, with little to no contribution from anaphase A. Here, we uncover a novel anaphase A mechanism in C. elegans embryos, driven by the kinesin-13 KLP-7MCAK and opposed by the kinesin-12 KLP-18. We found that the extent of chromosome segregation during anaphase A is asymmetrically regulated by cell polarity cues and modulated by mechanical tension within the spindle, generated by opposing forces acting on chromosomes and spindle poles. Additionally, we found that the contribution of anaphase A to chromosome segregation increases progressively across early embryonic divisions. These findings uncover an unexpected role for anaphase A in early C. elegans development and reveal a KLP-7MCAK-dependent mechanical coordination between anaphase A- and anaphase B-driven chromosome segregation. [Abstract copyright: © 2025 Dias Maia Henriques et al.
Music Consciousness with Mixed Reality: Case Study on Learning Associative Imagery in Classical Music Using Three Rachmaninoff Preludes, Op. 32
Get PDFWith the emergence of advanced multimedia technology, such as VR/ MR and research into music consciousness and cognitive musicology, new opportunities arise for encouraging associative thinking and imagery in classical music, both for professional performers, and also, music lovers. In this paper, we report on a case study where the experimental group (N = 22) experienced three mixed reality scenes in which the room was augmented with virtual objects from nature (e.g., a tree and falling leaves) and/or the fantastic (e.g., a mermaid) designed to resonate with the music. The control group (N = 21) listened to the same music as the experimental group using audio only. Participants in both groups were asked to rate their emotions and experiences via several subscales of the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory, and describe associations, memories or thoughts that came to mind. Both groups reported being significantly absorbed by the experience and that the experience induced a state of relaxation. Listening to the music evoked a more inner-directed state of attention, while the MR group reported strong engagement with the multisensory MR environment. Familiarity with MR/VR increased the enjoyment of the MR experience. The audio group also described a wide range of associative memories and images, which bear resemblance to the MR visualizations in several ways. We conclude that MR art/music experiences have potential uses for (1) attracting new audiences to classical music; (2) encouraging professional performers and/or music lovers in associative thinking and imagery; and (3) possibly serving as a new form of immersive art music therapy
The resummation model in FLAMINGO: precisely predicting matter power suppression from observed halo baryon fractions
No full textIn order to derive unbiased cosmological parameters from Stage-IV surveys, we need models that can predict the matter power spectrum for at least with per cent-level accuracy. The main challenge in this endeavour is that baryonic feedback significantly redistributes matter on large scales, but to an unknown degree. Here, we present an improved version of the ‘resummation’ model, which maps observed halo baryon fractions of massive haloes () to a flexible suppression signal, i.e. the ratio of baryonic to dark-matter-only (DMO) matter power spectra, using zero free parameters. We calibrate this model to the FLAMINGO hydrodynamical simulations, obtaining a typical accuracy of for given mean halo baryon fractions within the spherical overdensity radii and . When only those within are available, we still obtain accuracy. We show that given small-scale stellar mass fractions, the model can be extended to yield accurate suppression signals for all scales measured (). We also extend the model to redshifts . Central to the model is a seemingly mass-independent and feedback-independent relation that allows observed halo masses to be mapped to equivalent DMO halo masses using only observed mean halo baryon fractions, to accuracy. This relation can also be used to retrieve the DMO halo mass function from observed halo masses and baryon fractions with per cent-level accuracy, without any assumptions on the strength of feedback. A Python package implementing the resummation model is made publicly available
State of Permafrost: State Power, Non‐Eternalism, and Monitoring Frozen Earth in Russia
No full textWhile grounds form the physical foundation of states, their particular qualities are often overlooked in studies of state power. This article explores how the Russian state integrates permafrost—ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years—into its extractive ambitions amid accelerating climate change. Covering nearly 65% of Russia's territory, permafrost regions are central to the country's oil, gas, coal and non-ferrous metal industries. However, rising temperatures are causing rapid permafrost thaw. Following the 2020 Norilsk diesel spill—one of Russia's most severe environmental disasters—the state established its first unified, state-sponsored permafrost monitoring system. Based on interviews with scientists, engineers and state officials, alongside archival research and discourse analysis, this study traces the development of this permafrost monitoring system and reveals how thawing permafrost—once regarded as stable and “eternal”—is now framed as particularly unstable and requiring enhanced state control. Building on insights from the “subterranean turn” in geography, I argue that permafrost's instability unsettles state imaginaries premised on solid ground and reveals the material limits of state power. The article situates these dynamics within Russia's imperial history, demonstrating how frozen earth both supports and constrains state power
The Reading Anxiety Scale for children: Development and psychometric properties.
No full textResearch has demonstrated a connection between anxiety and reading-related variables (e.g., achievement) in elementary school students, including those receiving reading intervention. While numerous psychometrically strong measures of child anxiety exist, there remains a need for a brief, self-report screening tool that can be used for assessing anxiety specific to reading. This study presents findings on the development and psychometric properties of such a measure, the Reading Anxiety Scale (RAS). Third and fourth grade students who were participating in a larger randomized control trial completed the RAS at two time points (T1, n = 306; T2, n = 219),along with other self-report behavioral measures. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor models demonstrated good fit for the 6-item RAS. Further analysis revealed that the screener was most accurate at detecting higher than average reading anxiety levels, consistent with development goals. Internal consistency was adequate, as were convergent and discriminant validity. Overall, preliminary support for the RAS as a screener for identifying reading-related anxiety symptoms was demonstrated. Findings are discussed in terms of the utility of the scale, particularly within the context of school-based intervention research
Pangenomic analysis reveals metabolic adaptation of <i>Haemophilus parainfluenzae</i> to the urogenital tract.
No full textHaemophilus parainfluenzae (Hpar) is a common colonizer found in the upper respiratory tract, although recently urogenital colonization has emerged as a clinical concern. Urogenital Hpar has been associated with increased antibiotic resistance and virulence compared to respiratory Hpar. We analyzed the genome of 270 Hpar isolates, including all sequencing data found in the NCBI sequence read archive database. The pangenome of respiratory and urogenital isolates were compared in order to find potential metabolic or pathogenic adaptations to different host environments. The pangenome-wide association study found significant genomic differences. Specifically, the two-component signal transduction system was significantly enriched in urogenital samples, which could explain the adaptations of Hpar to the unique physico-chemical conditions of the urethra. Additionally, the two-component system could work as a new target for antimicrobials against pathogenic Hpar. The polysaccharide capsule, the main virulence factor in Haemophilus spp. was present in 26/65 of the urogenital samples from our facility, an increase from previous studies. In summary, the data presented suggest that respiratory and urogenital isolates of Hpar belong to different genetic lineages, and therefore it is possible that unprotected oral sex is not the route of transmission of Hpar from the respiratory tract to the urethra. Given the limited amount of available sequences, future studies collecting more isolates from different spatiotemporal locations would shed more light on this issue
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