Towards a "universal translator" for neural dynamics at single-cell, single-spike resolution.

Neuroscience research has made immense progress over the last decade, but our understanding of the brain remains fragmented and piecemeal: the dream of probing an arbitrary brain region and automatically reading out the information encoded in its neural activity remains out of reach. In this work, we build towards a first foundation model for neural spiking data that can solve a diverse set of tasks across multiple brain areas. We introduce a novel self-supervised modeling approach for population activity in which the model alternates between masking out and reconstructing neural activity across different time steps, neurons, and brain regions.

Exploring the Effects of Lignin Nanoparticles in Different Zebrafish Inflammatory Models.

Purpose: Lignin is the most abundant source of aromatic biopolymers and has gained interest in industrial and biomedical applications due to the reported biocompatibility and defense provided against bacterial and fungal pathogens, besides antioxidant and UV-blocking properties. Especially in the form of nanoparticles (NPs), lignin may display also antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Methods: To evaluate these characteristics, sonochemically nano-formulated pristine lignin (LigNPs) and enzymatically-phenolated one (PheLigNPs) were used to expose zebrafish embryos, without chorion, at different concentrations.

Morbidity burden of imported chronic schistosomiasis among West African migrants.

Background: Past exposure to schistosomiasis is frequent among migrants from endemic countries, and chronic untreated infection may lead to long-term morbidities.

Methods: We carried out a prospective population-based cross-sectional study among migrants from endemic Sub-Saharan countries living in Barcelona, Spain. Participants had not been previously diagnosed or treated for schistosomiasis.

Quality assessment of regenerated bone in intraosseous and intramuscular scaffolds by spectroscopy and nanoindentation.

The efficiency of synthetic bone grafts can be evaluated either in osseous sites, to analyze osteoconduction or ectopically, in intramuscular or subcutaneous sites, to assess osteoinduction. Bone regeneration is usually evaluated in terms of the presence and quantity of newly formed bone, but little information is normally provided on the quality of this bone. Here, we propose a novel approach to evaluate bone quality by the combined use of spectroscopy techniques and nanoindentation.

3He adsorbed on molecular hydrogen surfaces.

Using a diffusion Monte Carlo technique, we calculated the phase diagram of 3He adsorbed on a first solid layer of a molecular hydrogen isotope (H2, HD, and D2) on top of graphite. The results are qualitatively similar in all cases: a two-dimensional gas spanning from the infinite dilution limit to a second-layer helium density of 0.048 ± 0.

Understanding predictions of drug profiles using explainable machine learning models.

Purpose: The analysis of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) molecular properties is of relevance to drug design, as they directly influence the drug's effectiveness at its target location. This study concerns their prediction, using explainable Machine Learning (ML) models. The aim of the study is to find which molecular features are relevant to the prediction of the different ADME properties and measure their impact on the predictive model.

Analysis of the Correspondence of the Degree of Fragility with the Way to Exercise the Force of the Hand.

Background: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterized by increased individual vulnerability with an increase in both dependence and mortality when exposed to external stressors. The use of Frailty Indices in routine clinical practice is limited by several factors, such as the cognitive status of the patient, times of consultation, or lack of prior information from the patient.

Objectives: In this study, we propose the generation of an objective measure of frailty, based on the signal from hand grip strength (HGS).

Multifunctional piezoelectric surfaces enhanced with layer-by-layer coating for improved osseointegration and antibacterial performance.

Implant failure is primarily caused by poor osseointegration and bacterial colonization, which demands readmissions and revision surgeries to correct it. A novel approach involves engineering multifunctional interfaces using piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) materials, which mimic bone tissue's electroactive properties to promote bone integration and provide antibacterial functionality when mechanically stimulated. In this study, PVDF films were coated with antibacterial essential oil nanoparticles and antibiofilm enzymes using a layer-by-layer (LBL) approach to ensure antibacterial properties even without mechanical stimulation.

Test-based patch clustering for automatically-generated patches assessment.

Previous studies have shown that Automated Program Repair (apr) techniques suffer from the overfitting problem. Overfitting happens when a patch is run and the test suite does not reveal any error, but the patch actually does not fix the underlying bug or it introduces a new defect that is not covered by the test suite. Therefore, the patches generated by apr tools need to be validated by human programmers, which can be very costly, and prevents apr tool adoption in practice.

Resource recovery and contaminants of emerging concern mitigation by microalgae treating wastewater.

This study aimed to investigate the recovery of agricultural biostimulants and biogas from microalgae treating wastewater, in the framework of a circular bioeconomy. To this end, municipal wastewater was treated in demonstrative raceway ponds, and microalgal biomass (Scenedesmus sp.) was then harvested and downstream processed to recover biostimulants and biogas in a biorefinery approach.

Machine learning allows robust classification of visceral fat in women with obesity using common laboratory metrics.

The excessive accumulation and malfunctioning of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a major determinant of increased risk of obesity-related comorbidities. Thus, risk stratification of people living with obesity according to their amount of VAT is of clinical interest. Currently, the most common VAT measurement methods include mathematical formulae based on anthropometric dimensions, often biased by human measurement errors, bio-impedance, and image techniques such as X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) analysis, which requires specialized equipment.

Relationship between socioeconomic status and myopia in school children: CISViT project.

Purpose: Evidence indicates the existence of an association between socioeconomic status (SES) and the prevalence of myopia in the adult population. In contrast, there are limited studies investigating this association in children. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the presence of myopia in 8-year-old children from southern Europe and SES defined as parental educational level and employment status.

Sustainable Electromagnetic Prototype for Detecting Internal Deterioration in Building Walls.

The aim of this study was to develop a sustainable electromagnetic prototype to detect the interior deterioration of walls in buildings in order to mitigate uncertainty as it is a challenge to observe the interior state of walls without utilising destructive procedures. The method used was experimental, developmental and quantitative in its approach. The inductance, electric current, modulated frequency and power of the electromagnetic field were used to penetrate the constructed specimens, which were built of materials such as concrete, brick, adobe, plaster and fine sand and had walls with a thickness of less than 300 millimetres.

From 'Farm to Fork': Exploring the Potential of Nutrient-Rich and Stress-Resilient Emergent Crops for Sustainable and Healthy Food in the Mediterranean Region in the Face of Climate Change Challenges.

In the dynamic landscape of agriculture and food science, incorporating emergent crops appears as a pioneering solution for diversifying agriculture, unlocking possibilities for sustainable cultivation and nutritional bolstering food security, and creating economic prospects amid evolving environmental and market conditions with positive impacts on human health. This review explores the potential of utilizing emergent crops in Mediterranean environments under current climate scenarios, emphasizing the manifold benefits of agricultural and food system diversification and assessing the impact of environmental factors on their quality and consumer health. Through a deep exploration of the resilience, nutritional value, and health impacts of neglected and underutilized species (NUS) such as quinoa, amaranth, chia, moringa, buckwheat, millet, teff, hemp, or desert truffles, their capacity to thrive in the changing Mediterranean climate is highlighted, offering novel opportunities for agriculture and functional food development.

Adaptation of to High Glucose Concentrations and Its Impact on Growth Kinetics of Alcoholic Fermentations.

Prior adaptation of to the fermentation medium ensures its implantation and success in alcoholic fermentations. Fermentation kinetics can be characterized with mathematical models to objectively measure the success of adaptation and growth. The study aims at assessing and comparing two pre-culture procedures using, respectively, one or two adaptation steps, analyzing the impact of different initial glucose concentrations on the fermentation profiles of cultures, and assessing the performance of three predictive growth models (Buchanan's, modified Gompertz, and Baranyi and Roberts models) under varied initial glucose concentrations.

A Comparative Study on the Wear Performance and High-Temperature Oxidation of Co-Free Cermets and Hardmetals.

The present investigation addresses the mechanical properties, wear behaviour, and high-temperature oxidation of cermets and hardmetals based on either Ti(C,N) or WC and a metal binder based on Fe15Ni or Fe15Ni10Cr. This study also includes a commercial-grade WC-Co for comparative purposes. The production of these materials involved a powder metallurgy and sinter-HIP processing route under identical conditions.

Regulation of osteogenesis and angiogenesis by cobalt, manganese and strontium doped apatitic materials for functional bone tissue regeneration.

Strontium, cobalt, and manganese ions are present in the composition of bone and useful for bone metabolism, even when combined with calcium phosphate in the composition of biomaterials. Herein we explored the possibility to include these ions in the composition of apatitic materials prepared through the cementitious reaction between ion-substituted calcium phosphate dibasic dihydrate, CaHPO·2HO (DCPD) and tetracalcium phosphate, Ca(PO)O (TTCP). The results of the chemical, structural, morphological and mechanical characterization indicate that cobalt and manganese exhibit a greater delaying effect than strontium (about 15 at.

Elastocaloric, barocaloric and magnetocaloric effects in spin crossover polymer composite films.

Giant barocaloric effects were recently reported for spin-crossover materials. The volume change in these materials suggests that the transition can be influenced by uniaxial stress, and give rise to giant elastocaloric properties. However, no measurements of the elastocaloric properties in these compounds have been reported so far.

Emotionally-oriented design in museums: a case study of the Jewish Museum Berlin.

Objective: This study examines the intricate interplay between architectural design and visitor emotional responses at the Jewish Museum Berlin, focusing on how specific spatial elements such as the Holocaust Tower, Garden of Exile, The Voids, and The Axis elicit varied affective experiences. The research aims to extend the discourse on environmental psychology and architectural empathy, particularly within the context of memorial museums.

Method: Employing a non-intrusive approach, the study gathered emotional response data using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) from 113 museum visitors, with 102 valid responses analyzed.

Functionalization of Alginate Hydrogels with a Multifunctional Peptide Supports Mesenchymal Stem Cell Adhesion and Reduces Bacterial Colonization.

Hydrogels with cell adhesive moieties stand out as promising materials to enhance tissue healing and regeneration. Nonetheless, bacterial infections of the implants represent an unmet major concern. In the present work, we developed an alginate hydrogel modified with a multifunctional peptide containing the RGD cell adhesive motif in combination with an antibacterial peptide derived from the 1-11 region of lactoferrin (LF).

NAPping PAnts (NAPPA): An open wearable solution for monitoring Infant's sleeping rhythms, respiration and posture.

Study Objectives: To develop a non-invasive and practical wearable method for long-term tracking of infants' sleep.

Methods: An infant wearable, NAPping PAnts (NAPPA), was constructed by combining a diaper cover and a movement sensor (triaxial accelerometer and gyroscope), allowing either real-time data streaming to mobile devices or offline feature computation stored in the sensor memory. A sleep state classifier (wake, N1/REM, N2/N3) was trained and tested for NAPPA recordings ( = 16649 epochs of 30 s), using hypnograms from co-registered polysomnography (PSG) as a training target in 33 infants (age 2 weeks to 18 months; Mean = 4).