bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimising non-invasive brain-computer interface systems for free communication between naïve human participants
Authors: Renton Angela I. , Mattingley Jason B. , Painter David R. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractFree communication is one of the cornerstones of modern civilisation. While manual keyboards currently allow us to interface with computers and manifest our thoughts, a next frontier is communication without manual input. Brain-computer interface (BCI) spellers often achieve this by decoding patterns of neural activity as users attend to flickering keyboard displays. To date, the highest performing spellers report typing rates of ~10.00 words/minute. While impressive, these rates are typically calculated for experienced users repetitively typing single phrases. It is therefore not clear whether naïve users are able to achieve such high rates with the added cognitive load of genuine free communication, which involves continuously generating and spelling novel words and phrases. In two experiments, we developed an open-source, high-performance, non-invasive BCI speller and examined its feasibility for free communication. The BCI speller required users to focus their visual attention on a flickering keyboard display, thereby producing unique cortical activity patterns for each key, which were decoded using filter-bank canonical correlation analysis. In Experiment 1, we tested whether seventeen naïve users could maintain rapid typing during prompted free word association. We found that information transfer rates were indeed slower during this free communication task than during typing of a cued character sequence. In Experiment 2, we further evaluated the speller’s efficacy for free communication by developing a messaging interface, allowing users to engage in free conversation. The results showed that free communication was possible, but that information transfer was reduced by voluntary textual corrections and turn-taking during conversation. We evaluated a number of factors affecting the suitability of BCI spellers for free communication, and make specific recommendations for improving classification accuracy and usability. Overall, we found that developing a BCI speller for free communication requires a focus on usability over reduced character selection time, and as such, future performance appraisals should be based on genuine free communication scenarios.
Nitrogen fertilization modifies organic transformations and coatings on soil biogeochemical interfaces through microbial polysaccharides synthesis
Authors: Huang Xizhi , Guggenberger Georg , Kuzyakov Yakov , Shibistova Olga , Ge Tida , Li Yiwei , Liu Bifeng , Wu Jinshui 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe soil-water interfaces (SWI) in soil pores are hotspots for organic matter (OM) transformation. However, due to the heterogeneous and opaque nature of soil microenvironment, direct and continuous tracing of interfacial reactions, such as OM transformations and formation of organo-mineral associations, are rare. To investigate these processes, a new soil microarray technology (SoilChips) was developed and used. Homogeneous 800-μm-diameter SoilChips were constructed by depositing a dispersed Oxisol A horizon suspension on a patterned glass. Dissolved organic matter from the original soil was added on the SoilChips to mimic SWI processes. The effects of ammonium fertilization (90 mg N kg−1 soil) on chemical composition of SWIs were evaluated via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Over 21 days, ammonium addition increased OM coatings at SWIs and modified the OM chemical structure with more alcoholic- and carboxylic-C compared to the unfertilized control. Molecular modeling of OM composition at SWIs showed that N fertilization mainly facilitated the microbial production of glucans. We demonstrated that N availability modifies the specific OM molecular processing and its immobilization on SWIs, thereby providing a direct insight into biogeochemical transformation of OM at micro-scale.
Constraining modelled global vegetation dynamics and carbon turnover using multiple satellite observations
Authors: Forkel Matthias , Drüke Markus , Thurner Martin , Dorigo Wouter , Schaphoff Sibyll , Thonicke Kirsten , von Bloh Werner , Carvalhais Nuno 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe response of land ecosystems to future climate change is among the largest unknowns in the global climate-carbon cycle feedback. This uncertainty originates from how dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) simulate climate impacts on changes in vegetation distribution, productivity, biomass allocation, and carbon turnover. The present-day availability of a multitude of satellite observations can potentially help to constrain DGVM simulations within model-data integration frameworks. Here, we use satellite-derived datasets of the fraction of absorbed photosynthetic active radiation (FAPAR), sun-induced fluorescence (SIF), above-ground biomass of trees (AGB), land cover, and burned area to constrain parameters for phenology, productivity, and vegetation dynamics in the LPJmL4 DGVM. Both the prior and the optimized model accurately reproduce present-day estimates of the land carbon cycle and of temporal dynamics in FAPAR, SIF and gross primary production. However, the optimized model reproduces better the observed spatial patterns of biomass, tree cover, and regional forest carbon turnover. Using a machine learning approach, we found that remaining errors in simulated forest carbon turnover can be explained with bioclimatic variables. This demonstrates the need to improve model formulations for climate effects on vegetation turnover and mortality despite the apparent successful constraint of simulated vegetation dynamics with multiple satellite observations.
The Alpha Crucis Carbonate Ridge (ACCR): Discovery of a giant ring-shaped carbonate complex on the SW Atlantic margin
Authors: Maly Mascimiliano , Schattner Uri , Lobo Francisco José , Dias Rodolfo Jasão Soares , Ramos Raissa Basti , Couto Daniel de Matos , Sumida Paulo Yukio Gomes , de Mahiques Michel Michaelovitch 
Published: December 2019

AbstractRecently acquired bathymetric and high-resolution seismic data from the upper slope of Santos Basin, southern Brazilian margin, reveal a major geomorphological feature in the SW Atlantic that is interpreted as a carbonate ridge - the Alpha Crucis Carbonate Ridge (ACCR). The ACCR is the first megastructure of this type described on the SW Atlantic margin. The ~17 × 11-km-wide ring-shaped ACCR features tens of >100-m-high steep-sided carbonate mounds protruding from the surrounding seabed and flanked by elongated depressions. Comet-like marks downstream of the mound structures indicate that the area is presently influenced by the northward flow of the Intermediate Western Boundary Current (IWBC), a branch of the Subtropical Gyre that transports Antarctic Intermediate Water. Abundant carbonate sands and gravels cover the mounds and are overlain by a biologically significant community of living and dead ramified corals and associated invertebrates. The IWBC acts as a hydrodynamic factor that is responsible for both shaping the bottom and transporting coral larvae. We contend that the ACCR was formed by upward fluid flow along active sub-surface faults and fractures that formed by lateral extension generated by the ascending movement of salt diapirs at depth. The ACCR provides an important modern and accessible analogue for a seabed carbonate build-up related to sub-surface hydrocarbon systems.
Adult peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood NK cells are good sources for effective CAR therapy against CD19 positive leukemic cells
Authors: Herrera L. , Santos S. , Vesga M. A. , Anguita J. , Martin-Ruiz I. , Carrascosa T. , Juan M. , Eguizabal C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAmong hematological cancers, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) are the most common leukemia in children and elderly people respectively. Some patients do not respond to chemotherapy treatments and it is necessary to complement it with immunotherapy-based treatments such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy, which is one of the newest and more effective treatments against these cancers and B-cell lymphoma. Although complete remission results are promising, CAR T cell therapy presents still some risks for the patients, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity. We proposed a different immune cell source for CAR therapy that might prevent these side effects while efficiently targeting malignant cells. NK cells from different sources are a promising vehicle for CAR therapy, as they do not cause graft versus host disease (GvHD) in allogenic therapies and they are prompt to attack cancer cells without prior sensitization. We studied the efficacy of NK cells from adult peripheral blood (AB) and umbilical cord blood (CB) against different target cells in order to determine the best source for CAR therapy. AB CAR-NK cells are slightly better at killing CD19 presenting target cells and CB NK cells are easier to stimulate and they have more stable number from donor to donor. We conclude that CAR-NK cells from both sources have their advantages to be an alternative and safer candidate for CAR therapy.
Automated collective motion analysis validates human keratinocyte stem cell cultures
Authors: Kinoshita Koji , Munesue Takuya , Toki Fujio , Isshiki Masaharu , Higashiyama Shigeki , Barrandon Yann , Nishimura Emi K. , Yanagihara Yoshio , Nanba Daisuke 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIdentification and quality assurance of stem cells cultured in heterogeneous cell populations are indispensable for successful stem cell therapy. Here we present an image-processing pipeline for automated identification and quality assessment of human keratinocyte stem cells. When cultivated under appropriate conditions, human epidermal keratinocyte stem cells give rise to colonies and exhibit higher locomotive capacity as well as significant proliferative potential. Image processing and kernel density estimation were used to automatically extract the area of keratinocyte colonies from phase-contrast images of cultures containing feeder cells. The DeepFlow algorithm was then used to calculate locomotion speed of the colony area by analyzing serial images. This image-processing pipeline successfully identified keratinocyte stem cell colonies by measuring cell locomotion speed, and also assessed the effect of oligotrophic culture conditions and chemical inhibitors on keratinocyte behavior. Therefore, this study provides automated procedures for image-based quality control of stem cell cultures and high-throughput screening of small molecules targeting stem cells.
Pannexin 3 ER Ca2+ channel gating is regulated by phosphorylation at the Serine 68 residue in osteoblast differentiation
Authors: Ishikawa Masaki , Williams Geneva , Forcinito Patricia , Ishikawa Momoko , Petrie Ryan J. , Saito Kan , Fukumoto Satoshi , Yamada Yoshihiko 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPannexin 3 (Panx3) is a regulator of bone formation. Panx3 forms three distinct functional channels: hemichannels, gap junctions, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ channels. However, the gating mechanisms of the Panx3 channels remain unclear. Here, we show that the Panx3 ER Ca2+ channel is modulated by phosphorylation of the serine 68 residue (Ser68) to promote osteoblast differentiation. Among the 17 candidate phosphorylation sites identified, the mutation of Ser68 to Ala (Ser68Ala) was sufficient to inhibit Panx3-mediated osteoblast differentiation via reduction of Osterix and ALP expression. Using a Ser68 phospho-specific antibody (P-Panx3) revealed Panx3 was phosphorylated in prehypertrophic, hypertrophic chondrocytes, and bone areas of the newborn growth plate. In osteogenic C2C12 cells, P-Panx3 was located on the ER membranes. Importantly, the Ser68Ala mutation only affected Panx3 ER Ca2+ channel function. Ser68 on Panx3 was phosphorylated by ATP stimulation and PI3K/Akt signaling. Finally, real-time FRET imaging and ratio analysis revealed that the Panx3 channel conformation was sensitive to ATP. Together, the phosphorylation of Panx3 at Ser68 is an essential step controlling the gating of the Panx3 ER Ca2+ channel to promote osteogenesis.
The effect of group B streptococcus on maternal and infants’ prognosis in Guizhou, China
Authors: Dai Wei , Zhang Youcheng , Xu Yin , Zhu Mingjuan , Rong Xiaotin , Zhong Qing 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a kind of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria and mainly strikes the lower digestive tract and genitourinary tract. It is a major risk factor for neonatal babies, seriously threatening their lives. In the present study, we aimed to detect the GBS colonization in late pregnant women, and to study the effect of GBS on maternal and infants’ prognosis. Pregnant women with a gestational age of 35–37 weeks were enrolled in the study. Real-time polymerase chain-reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the colonization of GBS in the vaginal and rectal secretions for late pregnant women according to the screening guidelines. Chi-square test was applied to analyze the relationship between GBS colonization and clinical characteristics. A follow-up of 6 weeks was performed on the puerpera and infants after delivery. The positive rate of GBS was 12.6% in late pregnant women. GBS carrier state was positively related to several pregnancy outcomes, including intrauterine infection, premature rupture of membranes, postpartum hemorrhage, fetal distress and puerperal infection, as well as to part neonatal outcomes, containing neonatal infection, neonatal pneumonia and neonatal sepsis (all P &lt; 0.05). GBS infection in late pregnant women results in adverse effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Technique to eliminate RF signal amplitude dependence in AOA measurement
Authors: Chen H. , Chan E.H.W. 
Published: December 2019

A technique to estimate an incoming radio frequency (RF) signal angle of arrival (AOA) irrespective of the RF signal amplitude is presented. It is based on measuring the DC voltage at the output of two modules where each of them consists of an optical modulator, an optical filter and a photodetector. An RF signal amplitude‐independent AOA can be obtained from the ratio of the two DC voltages. Experimental results are presented that demonstrate 0°–63° AOA measurement with <3° errors for an RF signal with three different power levels of 3.2, −0.3 and −3.6 dBm into the modulator.
The quest of chirality in the interstellar medium
Authors: Ellinger Y. , Pauzat F. , Markovits A. , Allaire A. , Guillemin J.-C. 
Published: December 2019

Context. All but one complex organic molecule (COM) detected so far in the interstellar medium (ISM) are achiral; propylene oxide (c-C2H3O)-CH3 is the only exception to this. Finding other chiral species is a priority for astrobiology to progress in the understanding of the emergence of life. Whatever the conditions of their formation, i.e., gas phase or grain chemistry, the detection relies on rotational spectra. This means that, if adsorbed after formation in the gas phase or directly formed on the icy grains, these COMs must escape in the gas phase as free flyers to be detectable.
Aims. Learning the lesson drawn from the only observation of a chiral compound and considering the structural constraints imposed to a molecule to be chiral, we look at what species could satisfy these conditions and be potential targets for a radio astronomy search in the ISM gas phase.
Methods. This question was addressed by combining two complementary approaches that rely on density functional theory. The structure, energetics, and spectroscopic parameters of each potential candidate were determined using molecular calculations. The propensity for a molecule to remain trapped on the ice coating of the grains was evaluated by numerical simulations making use of a solid state periodic model.
Results. Replacing the -CH3 group on rigid propylene oxide by -CN, -CCH, -NH2, -OH, or -HCO gives oxirane daughter molecules whose adsorption energies divide into two classes: below and above the adsorption energy of H2O on solid water-ice ~13.5 kcal mol−1.
Conclusions. The best chiral candidate would be a rigid molecule for an easier determination of its radio spectra. This molecule would be composed of a central carbon linked to one hydrogen and three different chemical groups as simple as possible. If not the most stable isomer, this candidate should be as close as possible on the energy scale, possess a significant dipole moment, and be less strongly attached to the ice than H2O itself.
Diagnostik und Differenzialdiagnostik der mesenterialen Ischämie
Authors: Kromrey Marie-Luise 
Published: December 2019

ZusammenfassungTrotz Fortschritten in der Diagnostik und Therapie bleibt die akute mesenteriale Ischämie eine lebensbedrohliche Situation. Die Minderdurchblutung des Darms erfordert ein rasches Handeln, die korrekte Diagnosestellung ist jedoch aufgrund der unspezifischen klinischen Präsentation oft schwierig. Dieser Beitrag liefert einen Überblick zu Ätiologie, bildmorphologischer Präsentation und (seltenen) Differenzialdiagnosen der mesenterialen Ischämie.
Ansteigende Sterblichkeit an Herzrhythmusstörungen in Deutschland?
Authors: Stolpe Susanne , Deckert Markus , Stang Andreas 
Published: December 2019

Zusammenfassung
Einleitung Der deutsche Herzbericht 2016 berichtete eine deutlich ansteigende Mortalitätsrate an Herzrhythmusstörungen von 1990 bis 2014. Der Anstieg war bei Frauen stärker als bei Männern und wurde im Herzbericht angesichts verbesserter Diagnostik und Therapie als „paradox“ bewertet. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Mortalitätsdaten zu Herzrhythmusstörungen detailliert zu untersuchen und mögliche Erklärungsansätze zu bieten.
Methode Die Anzahl von Todesfällen an Herzrhythmusstörungen (ICD-10 Kodes I44–I49) pro Bundesland, Geschlecht und 5-Jahres-Altersgruppe für die Jahre 2000–2014 (www.gbe-bund.de) wurden extrahiert und rohe, altersspezifische sowie altersstandardisierte (Standard: Zensus, Deutschland 2011) Mortalitätsraten berechnet.
Ergebnisse Während zwischen 2000 und 2014 die rohen Mortalitätsraten einen deutlichen Anstieg zeigten (Männer: 18 auf 26, Frauen: 23 auf 38 pro 100 000), stiegen die altersstandardisierten Mortalitätsraten weniger stark an (Männer: von 31 auf 32; Frauen: von 22 auf 27 pro 100 000 Personenjahre). Der Anstieg der altersstandardisierten Mortalitätsrate war im Wesentlichen auf einen Anstieg der Mortalität an Vorhofflimmern und -flattern (ICD-10: I48) bei Menschen im Alter von 80 Jahren und mehr zurückzuführen. Die übrigen Altersgruppen wie auch andere Unterformen der Herzrhythmusstörungen zeigten keine relevanten Veränderungen.
Schlußfolgerung Ein Großteil des im deutschen Herzbericht dargestellten Anstiegs der Mortalität an Herzrhythmusstörungen ist auf die demografische Alterung der Bevölkerung zurückzuführen. Nach Altersstandardisierung ist nur ein geringer Anstieg der Mortalität erkennbar. Es handelt sich aus epidemiologischer Sicht um ein häufiges Problem bei der Interpretation von rohen Mortalitätsraten. Die Validität der Mortalitätsrate für Herzrhythmusstörungen ist durch verschiedene Faktoren beeinträchtigt.
Den Nutzen von Palliativversorgung bewerten – Was muss aus Patienten-, Angehörigen- und Versorgersicht beachtet werden?
Authors: Mozygemba Kati , Dehlfing Anne , Hentschel Karen , Schilling Imke , Gerhardus Ansgar 
Published: December 2019

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Komplexe Interventionen wie die Palliativversorgung (PV) stellen besondere Ansprüche an die Evaluation. Methodenleitfäden wie die des Projektes Integrated Health Technology Assessment for Evaluating Complex Technologies (INTEGRATE-HTA) helfen, diesen gerecht zu werden. Letztere wurden am Beispiel von PV in 7 europäischen Ländern entwickelt.
Ziel Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, wichtige Aspekte für die Nutzenbewertung von PV aus Sicht von Patienten, Angehörigen und (professionell) Versorgenden in Deutschland zu identifizieren.
Methoden Unter Anwendung der strukturierten Konsensfindung der Improved Nominal Group Technique führten wir je eine Fokusgruppe mit Angehörigen und mit in der PV tätigen Versorgern durch. Patienten befragten wir in 4 offenen Leitfadeninterviews. Die Analyse erfolgte unter Anwendung des offenen Kodierens.
Ergebnisse Die Ergebnisse wurden kommunikativ validiert. Wir identifizierten die Bestimmung und Legitimität des Nutzenbegriffs, das Verständnis von PV, den patientenzentrierten und ganzheitlichen Ansatz, den Zugang zu PV, die Kontinuität und Flexibilität der Versorgung, die Ausbildung von Palliativkräften und die Multiprofessionalität als wichtige Nutzenaspekte. SchlussfolgerungDeutlich wird, dass ein Aufbrechen der Intervention in weniger komplexe Teile PV nicht adäquat erfasst. Die frühe Integration unterschiedlicher Stakeholder hilft wichtige Nutzenaspekte zu identifizieren, die so bereits in die Entwicklung von Bewertungsinstrumenten einfließen können.
Effektivität von psychokardiologischer Versorgung in der
stationären Rehabilitation – ein Pilotprojekt
Authors: Priegnitz Julia , Langheim Eike , Rademacher Wilma , Schmitz Christoph , Köllner Volker 
Published: December 2019

ZusammenfassungZunehmend wird eine integrative, patientenfokussierte Versorgung von
psychokardiologischen Patienten im Sinne einer integrativen Medizin gefordert.
Mit der vorliegenden Arbeit soll untersucht werden, ob Herzpatienten mit einer
komorbiden psychischen Störung im Rahmen der stationären
Rehabilitation von einem integrierten Versorgungsmodell profitieren. Dazu wird
der Symptomverlauf von psychokardiologischen Patienten in drei
Versorgungssettings untersucht: interdisziplinäre Psychokardiologie
(PK), monodisziplinäre Kardiologie (K) und monodisziplinäre
Psychosomatik (PSO). Zu Beginn (T0), zum Ende (T1) und 6 Monate nach der
Rehabilitationsbehandlung (T2) wurden allgemeine Angst und Depressivität
(HADS), Herzangst (HAF) und gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität (SF-12)
erfasst. Abschließend lagen von N=93 Patienten
vollständige Daten vor (PK: N=37, 55,5 Jahre SD=8,0,
43,2% weiblich; K: N=32, 53,6 Jahre SD=8,2 ,
34,4% weiblich; PSO: N=24, 55,5 Jahre SD=5,0,
45,8% weiblich). In den Ergebnissen zeigt allein die PK eine
signifikante Reduktion von Herzangst im katamnestischen
Prä-Post-Vergleich (HAF Furcht p=0,004). Auch die
gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität verbessert sich nur in der PK von T0
zu T2 signifikant (SF-12 körperlich p=0,034). Die Ergebnisse
legen die Schlussfolgerung nahe, dass Herzpatienten mit komorbider psychischer
Störung von einer integrativen psychokardiologischen Versorgung
profitieren. Dementgegen scheinen monodisziplinäre Behandlungssettings
im Langzeitvergleich keinen wesentlichen Einfluss auf die psychische
Symptomausprägung von psychokardiologischen Patienten zu haben. Die
Studie bestätigt die positiven Erfahrungen aus der Praxis und liefert
erste Erkenntnisse zur psychokardiologischen Versorgung in der
stationären Rehabilitation. Weitere Forschung ist jedoch notwendig, um
die Überlegenheit der Psychokardiologie gegenüber
monodisziplinären Settings zu belegen.
Interessante Fälle aus der Impfpraxis
Authors: Ley-Köllstadt Sigrid , Arndt Ute 
Published: December 2019

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGSchon seit vielen Jahren bietet das Deutsche Grüne Kreuz e. V. Beratung von Ärztinnen und Ärzten zu Schutzimpfungen an. Dabei stellen sich unter anderem auch in der Reisemedizin mitunter knifflige Konstellationen, bei denen vielerlei Aspekte Berücksichtigung finden müssen. Impfempfehlungen für Patienten mit chronischen Erkrankungen und unter immunsupprimierender Therapie müssen besonders sorgfältig erstellt werden. Wir haben im Folgenden einige Fallbeispiele (Meningokokkenimpfung bei Patientin mit Thrombozytopenie nach Impfung, Masernimpfung mit Totimpfstoff in den 1970er-Jahren; Gelbfieberimpfung unter Kortisontherapie) zusammengestellt und berücksichtigen auch häufige Fragen zur neuen Zosterimpfempfehlung mit dem Subunit-Totimpfstoff.