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Covariance-based decoding reveals a category-specific functional connectivity network for imagined visual objects
Get PDFThe coordination of different brain regions is required for the visual imagery of complex objects (e.g., faces and places). Short-range connectivity within sensory areas is necessary to construct the mental image. Long-range connectivity between control and sensory areas is necessary to re-instantiate and maintain the mental image. While dynamic changes in functional connectivity are expected during visual imagery, it is unclear whether a category-specific network exists in which the strength and the spatial destination of the connections vary depending on the imagery target. In this magnetoencephalography study, we used a minimally constrained experimental paradigm wherein imagery categories were prompted using visual word cues only, and we decoded face versus place imagery based on their underlying functional connectivity patterns as estimated from the spatial covariance across brain regions. A subnetwork analysis further disentangled the contribution of different connections. The results show that face and place imagery can be decoded from both short-range and long-range connections. Overall, the results show that imagined object categories can be distinguished based on functional connectivity patterns observed in a category-specific network. Notably, functional connectivity estimates rely on purely endogenous brain signals suggesting that an external reference is not necessary to elicit such category-specific network dynamics
Identifying global hotspots of agricultural expansion into non-forest ecosystems
Get PDFEcologically important non-forest ecosystems, including grasslands, shrublands and wetlands, face substantial threats from agricultural expansion, yet their conversion dynamics remain poorly understood. This study identifies global hotspots of land conversion from non-forest (and forest) ecosystems to cultivated lands from 2000 to 2020, including conversion within Protected Areas and its impacts for biodiversity conservation. Using three state-of-the-art land cover datasets (GlobeLand30, GLCLUC and GLC_FCS30D), we find extensive and increasing non-forest conversion, often comparable to or exceeding forest conversion. Protected non-forest ecosystems cover substantially smaller area than protected forests while experiencing disproportionately high conversion rates. Non-forest and forest conversion together affected habitats of over 5,000 threatened species, over half of which depend critically on non-forest ecosystems. Our study provides important insights for improved land cover data development, while offering companies and policymakers science-based evidence to design sustainable land-use policies and integrated policy frameworks that avoid trade-offs and support broad sustainability goals
Cosmic reflections I: the structural diversity of simulated and observed low-mass galaxy analogues
Get PDFDwarf galaxies serve as powerful laboratories for investigating the underlying physics of galaxy evolution including the impact of baryonic feedback processes and external environmental influences. We compare the visual and structural properties of dwarf galaxies in ultra-deep HSC--SSP imaging of the COSMOS field with those measured from realistic HSC-like synthetic observations of dwarfs generated by the ILLUSTRIS TNG50 and NEWHORIZON simulations. Using Sersic profile fitting and non-parametric morphological metrics (Gini, , asymmetry, and concentration), we evaluate the diversity of structural properties in observed and simulated galaxies. Our analysis shows that NEWHORIZON and TNG50 galaxies lie at opposite extremes of observed structural trends: NEWHORIZON produces diffuse, extended galaxies with shallow Sersic indices, while TNG50 yields compact, concentrated systems with steep indices. Both simulations reproduce observed structural trends more closely at higher stellar masses () but fail to capture the full diversity of COSMOS dwarfs at lower masses. Non-parametric metrics further show that NEWHORIZON galaxies exhibit more uneven, clumpy light distributions while TNG50 galaxies have smoother but excessively concentrated profiles. These structural differences reflect underlying differences in their physical prescriptions and are likely driven by differing approaches to ISM gas physics, supernova feedback and star formation in addition to differences in numerical resolution. Our findings highlight the unique power of low-mass galaxies to constrain differences in simulation physics, especially star formation and feedback prescriptions. Upcoming surveys from facilities like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and Euclid will enable more rigorous comparisons with simulations, offering deeper insights into the physical processes shaping galaxy evolution
Epigraphically attested monetary terms and monetary circulation in Asia Minor, c. 630-30 BC: a quantitative overview and the example of the stater
Get PDFWhy do emergency medical service employees (not) seek organizational help for mental health support?: a systematic review
Get PDFEmergency medical service (EMS) ambulance employees play a critical role in emergency healthcare delivery. However, work-related experiences can compromise their mental health and job satisfaction. Despite available supportive services offered by EMS organizations, employee uptake remains low, while mental ill health and suicide rates remain higher than those of the general population. Understanding barriers to and enablers of such support is crucial for addressing factors that connect employees with the services designed to help. This systematic review identified 34 relevant articles and utilized an innovative process of integrating quantitative and qualitative aspects of the primary and gray literature to provide a qualitative synthesis of barriers and facilitators as perceived by EMS employees. Themes of employee (in)ability to ask for help, tailored person-centered support, and education and training about mental health were overarched by organizational culture. Barriers included perceived organizational obligation rather than genuine care, alongside machismo and stigma. Enablers included valuing and acknowledging employee risk by providing time and normalizing support utilization at work. Reframing machismo from dominance, competition, and toughness to respect, perseverance, and courage; promoting adaptive coping; and providing time and training were essential. Future research should aim to understand the factors influencing employee utilization of supportive interventions based on these themes
Health inequalities in incidence of bacteraemias: a national surveillance and data linkage study, England, 2018 to 2022
Get PDFBackgroundHealth inequalities exist globally, but limited data exist on this topic for bacteraemia. AimIn this study we investigated health inequalities surrounding bacteraemia in England, to identify high-risk population groups and areas of intervention. MethodsWe retrospectively analysed English surveillance data between 2018 and 2022 for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and both meticillin-sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, MRSA) bacteraemia. Crude incidence rates stratified by index of multiple deprivation and ethnic groups were calculated; age-adjusted rate ratios were estimated using negative binomial regression models. ResultsWe identified 342,787 bacteraemia cases. Across all pathogens, as the level of deprivation rose, so did the age-adjusted bacteraemia incidence rate ratio. Compared with residents of the 20% least deprived areas of England, residents of the 20% most deprived areas had a 2.68-fold increased bacteraemia rate for MRSA (95% CI: 2.29-3.13) and 1.95-fold for E. coli (95% CI: 1.84-2.05), and 15% higher odds of dying within 30 days of any bacteraemia (95% CI: 1.13-1.19). After age adjustment, the incidence of all bacteraemia was higher in the Asian and Black groups compared with the White group: for MRSA, 79% higher in the Asian (95% CI: 1.51-2.10) and 59% higher in the Black (95% CI: 1.29-1.95) groups. The exception was MSSA, whose incidence was highest in the White group. ConclusionDisproportionately higher age-adjusted incidence of bacteraemia occurred in deprived areas and ethnic minorities. These disparities are likely multifactorial, possibly including socioeconomic, cultural, and systemic risk factors and different burden of comorbidities. Better understanding these factors can enable targeted interventions
Physiological function of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases in atrial myocytes and their potential as targets in atrial fibrillation
Get PDFCyclic nucleotide hy drolysing phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are key regulators of cyclic nucleotide (e.g. cAMP and cGMP) signalling. Here we examine the role of PDEs in the physiology of atrial myocytes (AMs), the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) and the potential of PDEs as therapeutic targets for AF. PDE1-5 and 8 are present and functional in AMs. PDE2-4 are important regulators of AM contraction but their role beyond atrial contractility is unclear. The role of PDE1,5 and 8 in healthy AMs is unknown but of interest because of their roles in ventricular myocytes. We propose that PDE2-5 and PDE8 are potential targets to prevent the triggering of AF considering their effects on Ca2+ handling and /or electrical activity. PDE1-5 are possible targets to treat patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF caused by pulmonary vein automaticity. PDE8B2 is a possible target for patients with persistent AF due to its altered expression. Research should aim to identify the presence, localisation, and function of specific PDE isoforms in human atria. Ultimately, the paucity of PDE isoform-specific small molecule modulators and the difficulty of delivering PDE-targeted medications or therapies to particular cell types limit current research and its application
Heatwave adaptation conditioned by everyday life: analysing interacting changes to daily activities during Pacific Northwest summers
Get PDFAs heatwaves increase in intensity, frequency, and duration, there is an urgent need for adaptation to limit their adverse effects on health, well-being, and livelihoods. Heat exposure and adaptive responses during heatwaves are tightly linked to mobility behaviours – the subject of a rapidly growing body of literature. However, knowledge of the processes which shape and constrain opportunities to seek cooling remains limited, as academic research has yet to examine how people alter the various activities of everyday life in response to heatwaves. Addressing this gap, the current paper models these interdependent activity changes simultaneously, shedding light on behavioural adaptations during heatwaves and the underlying structures which condition them. Combining Google Community Mobility Reports, ERA5 climate re-analysis, and socio-economic data across the Pacific Northwest region of North America, the analysis uses a multi-variate multi-level model to examine how anchor (home, work, transit), essential (grocery/pharmacy), and discretionary (retail/recreation, parks) activity change together during summer heatwaves. Focusing on a climatically diverse region and modelling heatwaves as distinct multi-day events, these interdependent responses are explored with the climatic, temporal, and contextual features of heatwaves. Four main conclusions about behavioural adaptation to heatwaves are drawn: (1) A region’s typical climate impacts workplace rigidity and adaptations to non-work activities during heatwaves; (2) Absolute and relative intensities have distinct yet comparably large impacts on behavioural responses; (3) Adaptation evolves over time, both between and within heatwaves; (4) Urban form and socio-economic disparities influence activity trade-offs during heatwaves. By contextualizing heatwaves within people’s everyday lives, this study highlights the diverse, dynamic, and yet constrained processes by which adaptation occurs
EUS in pediatric patients
Get PDFEUS has become an essential tool in pediatric gastroenterology for high-resolution imaging of the gastrointestinal tract and surrounding organs. This review describes the clinical applications and outcomes of EUS in diagnosing and managing pediatric gastrointestinal, pancreatic, biliary, and intestinal diseases. EUS is particularly useful in abdominal diseases, offering an accurate and high-resolution imaging method without radiation exposure. Despite its proven efficacy in children, EUS remains underutilized due to technical challenges and limited pediatric-specific expertise. Thus, the study highlights the importance of increasing the availability and training for pediatric EUS to enhance diagnostic precision and therapeutic options in children