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Forest Canopy Height (FCH) is one of the key variables for understanding forest structure distribution and growth. Remotely sensed data such as the NASA Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) ATL08 provides accurate FCH measurements; however, its point-based nature limits spatial continuity. This study addresses the challenge by generating a continuous FCH map over the West Usambara

Natural selection has produced diverse vision systems, from simple patches of photoreceptors to complex camera eyes, representing just one set of evolutionary outcomes. Computational evolution offers a way to systematically test hypotheses, isolate individual factors, and ask the “why” questions behind vision. We recreate vision evolution by coevolving eyes and behaviors in embodied agents and use

BACKGROUND: The EAT-Lancet planetary health diet emphasises plant-based foods while including moderate amounts of animal-sourced foods. Simulation-based modelling studies suggest that the diet can provide adequate micronutrients, but concerns remain about potential deficiencies as studies have used different methodologies and few have assessed nutrient intakes using both dietary and biomarker data

The function of the brain is defined by the interactions between its neurons. But these neurons exist in tremendous numbers, are continuously active, and densely interconnected. Thereby, they form one of the most complex dynamical systems known and there is a lack of approaches to characterize the functional properties of such biological neuronal networks without resorting to dimensionality reduct

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute, reversible form of left ventricular dysfunction, typically triggered by emotional or physical stress. The hallmark feature is reversible regional wall motion abnormality extending beyond a single coronary distribution, most commonly presenting with an apical ballooning pattern. The pathophysiology is multifactorial, encompassing neurohormonal dysregulation, ca

Groundwater in most parts of the world is an important source of agricultural water supply for food production. Soil salinization, however, threatens groundwater quality and may cause irreparable damage to agricultural land. A key to tackling this threat is to analyze the link between agricultural crop water requirements and groundwater quality. This study aimed to investigate salinity effects on

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is often asymptomatic early on but can progress to irreversible conditions like cirrhosis. Due to limited access to human liver biopsies, systematic and integrative molecular resources remain scarce. In this study, we performed transcriptomic analyses on liver and metabolomic analyses on liver and plasma samples from morbidly obese i

This chapter reviews methanol's properties as a fuel for marine use in general terms and then specifically for combustion engines and fuel cells. It discusses the different engine technologies being either investigated or demonstrated that allow methanol to be used in marine engines. Their potential in terms of power density, emissions, and efficiency, as well as their maturity are reviewed. The e

Background Assessment of myocardial sympathetic innervation with iodine-123-metaiodobenzylguanidine ([123I]mIBG) scintigraphy is conventionally performed by determining the heart-to-mediastinum ratio (HMR) on planar images. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of determining HMR from reprojected [123I]mIBG planar images derived from tomographic data by a ring-configured cadmium-zinc-tel

The complex and varied relationship found in intermolecular interactions within the photo-active layers plays a decisive role in determining the photovoltaic energy conversion and overall device performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). Among different approaches, the ternary blend strategy serves as an effective technique to control the morphology within the active layer in OSCs. In this work, P

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) remains a preventable cause of acute viral hepatitis, with an estimated 159 million new infections and 39 000 deaths in 2019. Although improved care and hygiene reduced deaths, global incidence rose by approximately 4%, driven by increased symptomatic cases and population growth. The availability of safe and highly immunogenic vaccines and the absence of chronic carriage ma

The rapid expansion of cross-border telework has exposed structural frictions between the European Union’s (EU’s) coordination of social security and the international allocation of taxing rights. This article examines how the simultaneous application of Regulation No. 883/2004 and double tax conventions affects the financing of social security systems. It first situates Member States’ heterogeneo

In Singapore, children’s education is often presented as “an overriding and all-consuming concern,” driven by intense competition for grades and school admissions (Waters, 2015: 290). However, the desire for academic excellence as a pathway to better lives is not as straightforward as it may seem. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork with Singaporean families, this paper explores parents’ affective aIn Singapore, children’s education is often presented as “an overriding and all-consuming concern,” driven by intense competition for grades and school admissions (Waters, 2015: 290). However, the desire for academic excellence as a pathway to better lives is not as straightforward as it may seem. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork with Singaporean families, this paper explores parents’ affective a

Objective To train and validate a deep learning-based diagnostic tool capable of accurately segmenting the alveolar cleft region and automatically estimating the required bone graft volume using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. Study Design Eighty-eight CBCT scans from patients with nonsyndromic unilateral clefts were divided into training (n = 45), validation (n = 10), and test (n =

Engraved ochres and ostrich eggshells from the South African Blombos Cave and Diepkloof Rock Shelter are among the earliest expressions of human symbolic behavior. They appear to document a continuous practice of mark-making across ∼40,000 years. During this time, the engraved markings change from simpler, unstructured patterns to more complex markings such as cross-hatchings. Previous work examin

Aims/hypothesis: The aetiology of type 1 diabetes remains elusive. Family history of type 1 diabetes increases the disease risk but the role of other autoimmune diseases or type 2 diabetes in the family are unclear. Here, we aimed to analyse the effect of family history of diabetes and autoimmune diseases on development of islet autoimmunity and progression to type 1 diabetes. Methods: The Environ

Background: Standardized care pathway (SCP) for macrohematuria (patients aged ≥50 years) in Sweden includes four-phase computed tomography urography (CTU) before cystoscopy, but targeted SCP lead time for CTU (6 days)/treatment is fulfilled in <25% of patients. Purpose: To retrospectively analyze the incidence of CTU-diagnosed upper urinary tract (UUT), kidney and bladder tumors, calculi, radiatio

Acute postoperative pain remains common despite advances in surgical techniques and enhanced recovery protocols, suggesting that patient-specific factors and individualised approaches may be key to improving outcomes. Real-time intraoperative nociceptive monitoring has emerged as a potential tool to guide analgesia and predict postoperative pain bur their role in an individualised anaesthesia fram

Randomised controlled trial (RCT) protocols contain essential details needed to understand and evaluate the trial's planned aims, design, data collection methods, monitoring, data analysis, and participants' safety. However, key information is often omitted from paediatric RCT protocols, including details on dose adjustments of interventions based on age, body surface area, or weight; developmenta